won't start 1990
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Grimsby Ontario
won't start 1990
hey guys,
help me out, I don't have any more ideas and I am a little nervous to start playing around with the VATS system. Here's what happened. I was working on the exhaust and had to remove the exhaust manifold on the passenger side. it was the only thing i could do to remove the starter. here's were I screwed things up. Instead of properly removing the wires I let the starter hang by them. not realizing that the stud with the purple wire to the solenoid was touching the case, i put everything back and went to start the car. and.......nothing. So my question is would this have anything to do with VATS. everything was working fine before this and I had the starter serviced and checked. Oh ya, its a 1990, automatic.
help me out, I don't have any more ideas and I am a little nervous to start playing around with the VATS system. Here's what happened. I was working on the exhaust and had to remove the exhaust manifold on the passenger side. it was the only thing i could do to remove the starter. here's were I screwed things up. Instead of properly removing the wires I let the starter hang by them. not realizing that the stud with the purple wire to the solenoid was touching the case, i put everything back and went to start the car. and.......nothing. So my question is would this have anything to do with VATS. everything was working fine before this and I had the starter serviced and checked. Oh ya, its a 1990, automatic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
VATS may or may not be the issue. The VATs only closes the relay for the starter to start....it is not inline with the starter in any way....shorting the starter out to a ground should not have caused a problem with the system. VATS also enables the fuel injectors pulses to the ECM. The signal that enables the 2 processes to happen is triggered by the resistance in the your key pellet.
Is your car doing anything at all when you turn the key to crank it?
Does the dash come on...lights..ect?
Check to see if you have injector pulses.
Is your car doing anything at all when you turn the key to crank it?
Does the dash come on...lights..ect?
Check to see if you have injector pulses.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,275
Likes: 236
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
If it does not crank, check for clean and tight connections and battery and starter.
Put a test light or meter on the stud with purple wire, have someone turn the ign to start position. If no power is at solenoid during crank, trace the circuit backwards to shifter select switch and starter enable relay.
My schematics are for an 86, but should still be of some use.
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Start...g%20System.pdf
Put a test light or meter on the stud with purple wire, have someone turn the ign to start position. If no power is at solenoid during crank, trace the circuit backwards to shifter select switch and starter enable relay.
My schematics are for an 86, but should still be of some use.
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Start...g%20System.pdf
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Grimsby Ontario
there is no power to the purple wire in the on position, and yes i have all my lights working, in and out. Is there any other locations for fusing besides the passenger side panel by the door?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Grimsby Ontario
also there is a relay under the drivers side kick panel with the yellow wires going to it, I am assuming it is the starter relay. It opens and closes with the turn of the key, and all the wires exsept the black/yellow.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
There is only 12V to the purple wire with the key in the start position. This closes the starter relay.
Grounding this wire to the eng will do nothing electrically with the key off. The large GA wire however goes straight to the batt and is always hot. Used to jump them with a screwdriver.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
hey guys,
help me out, I don't have any more ideas and I am a little nervous to start playing around with the VATS system. Here's what happened. I was working on the exhaust and had to remove the exhaust manifold on the passenger side. it was the only thing i could do to remove the starter. here's were I screwed things up. Instead of properly removing the wires I let the starter hang by them. not realizing that the stud with the purple wire to the solenoid was touching the case, i put everything back and went to start the car. and.......nothing. So my question is would this have anything to do with VATS. everything was working fine before this and I had the starter serviced and checked. Oh ya, its a 1990, automatic.
help me out, I don't have any more ideas and I am a little nervous to start playing around with the VATS system. Here's what happened. I was working on the exhaust and had to remove the exhaust manifold on the passenger side. it was the only thing i could do to remove the starter. here's were I screwed things up. Instead of properly removing the wires I let the starter hang by them. not realizing that the stud with the purple wire to the solenoid was touching the case, i put everything back and went to start the car. and.......nothing. So my question is would this have anything to do with VATS. everything was working fine before this and I had the starter serviced and checked. Oh ya, its a 1990, automatic.
If the battery was still connected, you may have blown a fuseable link.
Last edited by RandyJ75; Sep 10, 2008 at 10:08 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
fusible link
Some of the fusible links are behind the battery,
Some are on the red battery small wire coming out of the big wire Positive cable on the battery.
Behind the battery, there is a terminal connector with some red wires bolted to it. Does that have power with the battery hooked up?
Some are on the red battery small wire coming out of the big wire Positive cable on the battery.
Behind the battery, there is a terminal connector with some red wires bolted to it. Does that have power with the battery hooked up?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Grimsby Ontario
here's an intresting question for you guys. If I wanted to bypass this issue for the time being, so i can enjoy the last little bit of warm weather. would it do any harm if i were to install a push button start. I have already ran the wiring and it seems to work fine. just like jumping it underneath. is this ok????
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
here's an intresting question for you guys. If I wanted to bypass this issue for the time being, so i can enjoy the last little bit of warm weather. would it do any harm if i were to install a push button start. I have already ran the wiring and it seems to work fine. just like jumping it underneath. is this ok????
I wouldn't do it, but it's your car. Screw it up all you want.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,275
Likes: 236
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
here's an intresting question for you guys. If I wanted to bypass this issue for the time being, so i can enjoy the last little bit of warm weather. would it do any harm if i were to install a push button start. I have already ran the wiring and it seems to work fine. just like jumping it underneath. is this ok????
Why not trace the circuit back, fix the problem, and then enjoy the last of the warm weather.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Grimsby Ontario
just noticed something. not sure if it helps. I tried the bypass and it works ok, and it will get me through the rest of the summer. but i noticed that i can change the gears in the car without pushing the brake, and i can also start the car in gear. all with the key in the on postion.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 446
Likes: 1
From: Punta Gorda Florida
fusible link
What could have happened was not a blown link, but a broken link or internal wire.
Rule #2 about R&R a starter... NEVER let it hang by the wires! the only wire that can handle the load is the primary 12v wire from the battery.
What can happen when starter hangs is the wires inside the protective coating can pull a part especially with a fusible link. you'll be able to feel 'em if they're burnt, and if your good you'll be able to feel 'em if they are broke
My bets are on the fusible links.
Last edited by Vetster88; Sep 12, 2008 at 12:07 AM.
