If I open my passenger door first (to put groceries in, lets say), then walk around and open the drivers door and get in to start it....it won't start for about 10 minutes....keeps flashing "Security" on the dash.

Do all 91's do this, or is it time for a new computer?


Cliff notes: car won't start if passenger door is opened first.

 

Try using your key in the Left Hand door lock and turn it as if you are unlocking the door, this should disable the alarm system.

 

The security dash indicator will flash only if unarmed. So its not the security system. (Try it: with the car parked and engine stopped, open either door and use the power door lock switch to lock the doors. Note the Security light will be on solid. Thats your warning that the system is armed.)

The 10 minute wait could be a red herring. Does it always happen that the pass door causes a 10 minute delay? How many times has it happened and is it always 10 minutes?

There is a delay induced by the security system if the VATS key resistance (the little black thing on the key) is incorrect. It is about 10 minutes. Maybe the key or ig switch itself need replacement.

 

Are you starting with the 91 locked and you unlock the passenger door first? Go thru the
procedure step by step and I'll try the same thing on my 91. I have not seen this one yet.

 

This happens when the car is unlocked. It happens all the time.

Another thing that happens...when I make a hard right, the interior lights come on for a moment.

Mechanic recently found corroded wires in the passenger door (the window wouldn't work).

Yesterday, while getting gas, it wouldn't start. So I went into the store, got some things, and when I tried it again, it started.

 

Just to make sure you've got the basics covered, I would check your battery terminals for loosness/corrosion.

 

On My '91, the security light goes out once the key is placed into the tumbler, and car is in run/on. If its not going out when you turn the key, you could be having a VATS problem. This happened to me a few weeks ago, and had to disable the VATS (the wiring inside the key pellet sensor in my tumbler broke)

Do you have an aftermarket alarm system by any chance?

 

I had a similar problem; mine would do it when I backed out of the driveway through the drainage contoured street curb (twisting the frame). The door switch was physically not long enough to keep good contact with the door, so (instead of fixing it properly) I glued a piece of rubber on the end of the switch to make it longer. Someday I will buy a new switch (that one looks aftermarket).

As for the other problem, it initially sounded to me like the computer wasn't getting the signal that the door was unlocked, only that it was opened, which is an alarm condition. I would think this would set off the alarm, though (maybe it is and the computer's output to the horn/lights is off?)

SB91

 

Ok, now we're getting somewhere. This sounds to me like a phantom VATS issue. Since there are corroded wires in that door, may also be elsewhere, like the drivers door. Both doors have wires going to the actual door locks. These sense when the door lock tumbler is turned, which disables the VATS and also will turn on the interior lights for you if the ambient light is low. Also, wires in the door activate the VATS, so if there is a short in them, they may be activating VATS without you knowing it. This is where in my opinion the problem lies.

I actually thought this might be the culprit earlier, but without knowing for sure about a leaky door and messed up wiring, it wasnt worth mentioning. You will have to have those wires fixed. There may and probably are corroded connectors inside the doors also. These can be repaired simply by disconnecting them from their switches, spraying contact cleaner into them, and perhaps physically cleaning them with a piece of sandpaper wrapped around a toothpick. IF they are corroded, the terminals can be replaced. The wires, if intact can be repaired with electrical tape, or better yet, new wires soldered into place. The problem is being caused by a leak. Most likely, your leak is the seal between the outside door and the window. That piece of rubber is actually riveted to the door, and replacements can be obtained from any number of corvette parts outlets, ebay or the chevy dealer.

This problem will not fix itself. Get it fixed before anymore damage occurs or you become stranded and no amount of going back into the store for a few things and coming back out will get it started.

 

Your 91 has a VATS (Vehicle anti theft security) problem. Have your mechanic check it out. Also, the "Door Ajar" switches on each door need to be replaced causing the interior lights to flicker.

 

Thanks for the input! But, just to make sure....can someone please check this on their '91?

1. Have car unlocked for at least 10 minutes.

2. Open passenger door for a moment, then shut.

3. Open driver's door.

4. Start vehicle.

Please post what happens.

I cannot get a straight answer on this. I'm assuming from the posts that my car has a problem, but no one has come out and said for sure that their car does not experience this.

 

I open the doors on my "91" Vette every morning as you describe and I just get in and start it right up.


1. Have car unlocked for at least 10 minutes. (I leave it unlocked in the garage all night)

2. Open passenger door for a moment, then shut. (I open the passenger door to access the glove compartment)

3. Open driver's door. (I get in)

4. Start vehicle. (The engine starts right up)

Please post what happens. (I drive away)

 

use your key in the doors try it until it is fixed. I tried it on dumb luck the first time in my car and the alarm kept going off in a parking lot.