Stranded!!!!!!!!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 4
From: Middle River MD
Originally Posted by PUREC4
It's a man. trans. The starter turns the motor over fine and strong. Will not fire, sounds like the vats is keeping the key from engaging the elec. system. Like I said have radio and acc.s just will the give any indication of starting....... 
Above you stated the starter was turning the motor...
Then you said this...
"Getting no response at all from the engine, turn the key and nothing. Radio, lights, ect all work. "
Kinda hard to help ya when you change your story...
If you are NOT getting any cranking action, its probably VATS. You may need to install a new ignition cyl assembly.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
Assuming the situation is that you can get the starter to crank over using a screwdriver or some other means of getting power directly to the solenoid, but that when using the key, it doesn't crank over, it seems all indicators point to VATS.
On an 86 the power goes from the battery to the ignition switch to the starter enable relay to the clutch safety switch to the starter. The VATS module closes the contacts in the starter enable relay so if the VATS module does not sense the right resistance, it will not close the contacts in the relay and you will not start. It also disables the fuel injectors so even if you get the car to crank over, it aint gonna start!
If the VATS module does not sense the right resistance, it is supposed to leave a code, but it doesn't always do that. Trust me on this one, I was kind of hard headed about this when others told me about it and made extra work for myself.
You an measure the resistance in your key and get a combination of resistors to make a bypass at the base of the steering column.
On an 86 the power goes from the battery to the ignition switch to the starter enable relay to the clutch safety switch to the starter. The VATS module closes the contacts in the starter enable relay so if the VATS module does not sense the right resistance, it will not close the contacts in the relay and you will not start. It also disables the fuel injectors so even if you get the car to crank over, it aint gonna start!
If the VATS module does not sense the right resistance, it is supposed to leave a code, but it doesn't always do that. Trust me on this one, I was kind of hard headed about this when others told me about it and made extra work for myself.
You an measure the resistance in your key and get a combination of resistors to make a bypass at the base of the steering column.
