Or use a pencil eraser
Stranded!!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: Kingsport TN
Stranded!!!!!!!! need resistor bypass value
Stranded at a friends house. Beast will not start. All lights come on. No codes. When I turn the key none of the warning lights dim. Only the radio shuts down. Checked connections at battery, alt. and starter. All tight. No sounds at all of trying to start. Need to get back home. Any ideas........ Thanks all 
Last edited by PUREC4; Oct 6, 2004 at 10:34 AM. Reason: Need new help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: Kingsport TN
Battery is ok....Had been all over town looking for manifol bolts. starting a dozen times or more no problem. Came to my friends, and went to restart nothing. let it set while we looked for the obvious, and still nothing......Lights, radio, a/c fand and blower all will come on, just nothing when you turn the key.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
From: Madison Mississippi
Ok, if you are sure your battery is ok, Look at the starter. You might tap it lightly with a metal object. your solenoid may also, be giving you a fit so, try turning the key off and on several times very quickly and if it hints at firing, hold the key on until it starts. You may have to rap the starter a couple of whacks to get it to work. What ever you do, don't shut it off until you get where you are going. Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,326
Likes: 1
From: I live at www.domesticlugnuts.com I sleep in PA
Sounds like a bad starter. If you can get under the car, make sure the electrical connections are tight. If so, hit the starter with a hammer. You will probably be replacing it. 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
It probably is the solenoid. Try the old fashioned screwdriver trick. Turn your key forward into the run position and jump the large post on starter (12v positive) to the smaller one(12v ignition ativated) with a screwdriver and see if it'll fire. Be ready for a spark or two if you havent done it before and protect your eyes and also be careful not to arc against trans lines or frame ect..Good luck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: Kingsport TN
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....... 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I think the manual has a clutch safety switch that prohibits a start in gear that is the same as an automatics park neutral switch. You may need to check the pedal and see if you can bypass it.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Greenville S.C.
I had the same prob. with my 91 and it was the key. If you have tried to clean the chip on the key then take a Qtip with some achaol on it and put it into the ignition switch and rub it around alittle.Just about 1/4 of a inch inside the switch. Thats what i did and it hasnt done it again. Hope that helps. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: Kingsport TN
Thanks for all the help, but to no avail. Going home with the wife, try again tomorrow. Cleaner in the switch didn't do anything. Get to radio shack and try the by pass thing. Let you know what happens, till then 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 934
Likes: 0
From: MO
It sounds like your not getting any spark, May not be VATS related at all. I'm sure you don't want to hear this but I had an opti crap out on me in a similiar fashion. I changed the coil, ignition module & coil wire refusing to believe it was an opti. Unfortunately it was. Pull a plug wire and test for fire.
Its been a good 5 years since I had the key problem but I don't remember the engine spinning But I could be wrong here.
Its been a good 5 years since I had the key problem but I don't remember the engine spinning But I could be wrong here.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: Kingsport TN
It's an 89, no Opti. Getting no response at all from the engine, turn the key and nothing. Radio, lights, ect all work. With lights on turn key they do not even dim, so there is not power drain when I hit the key. Try tomorrow when I have light and more patience. Thanks Cya
Thanks Cya
Instructor
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon Ohio
May sound stupid but did you check the fuse marked "crank"...I believe there is a fuse in the box that IF pulled or blown will prohibit the car from cranking.. I know my TA had this...cant remember if the vette does..basically it shuts off the switched 12 volt circuit that goes to the solenoid.. Also there are fusable links in the wiring at the starter itself... Do the screwdriver TEST Not hitting it or tapping it...Lay it across the terminals and see if it will crank.. if it does then start doing continuity checks on all wires with the links..
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: Kingsport TN
Checked the starter with the old screwdriver test, starter will turn motor over. Will not even think of firing. Turning key does nothing but turn on the radio and acc. I think it's the VATS, going to dealer to check the resistance to bypass it tonight and see if it will start. Thanks