So, I just went out to my '95, turned the key, all the lights flashed at me just like normal, but when I turn the key to 'Start', nothing! No turn over, no click, no dimming of the lights. The only thing that happens is the 'Brake Pressure' light comes on in the dash and stays on as long as the key is turned to Start. Once the key goes back to On, the Brake Pressure light goes out. I disconnected the battery for a couple of minutes, but that helped not at all.

Any ideas?

Stuck at work,

Jay

 

Try wiggling the shifter in P; if that doesn't work shift to N and try again.

Also try giggling the key in the lock; if you have a spare igniton key try it.

 

those are my ideas to start with... nothing more to add.

everything works? it's not like a dead battery?

 

OK, thanks. The car is at work and I got a ride home so I'll try those things in the AM and let you all know. I didn't even think about the key/chip.

It's definitely not a dead battery everything electrical works and there's no SYS flashing or that damn ticking that comes from under the passenger side dash when the battery is low. Besides, it's a red top - I love those things.

Thanks again,
Jay

 

Jay-

Sorry to hear about your problem! When I had problems with my VATS, the Security light came one when I turned the key to start. One way to check to see if it is VATS related is try connecting to the PCM with your laptop. When mine was in its' lock out period (VATS), Datamaster could not connect to the PCM.

I was able to disable VATS through TunerCat, so if that is indeed the problem, you might want to try that.

Mike

 

i had a very similar problem with my ls400. It sounds like maybe the security system is activated. pop the hood and take the neg. battery cable off. leave it off for about 5 minutes then put it on and try to start it.

 

Mine left me stranded at a Home Depot and I had it towed to my house. Jacked it up thinking that I needed a new starter and found a loose wire on the starter. Cleaned up and tightened up all connections and no more problem. Just one more thing to check. Good luck, Robert

 

May be just a starter solenoid. If so you can use the old farmers method to start her with a screwdriver and get her home.Try all the things suggested by the other forum members first. But if all else fails you can jump the starter to get the car home by turning key forward and jumping the large post on starter (12volt positive)to the smaller post (ignition key activated 12v) with a wire or screwdriver. With the key forward, doing this will usually turn the starter over if the solenoid is dieing or dead. Be very careful not to ground screwdriver or jumper wireto trans cooler lines ect. or you will get a face full of sparks. Be also very cautious and have it in park and up on jackstands or at least jack and one jackstand with the wheels that are on ground blocked off. If you have a manual transmission you will need a partner to push in the clutch while starting with this method. Just jump the small terminal on starter over to the large and hold it until car fires and then pull it quickly away. Then go get a new starter or have yours rebuilt.

Hopefully this method will not be required and just use it as a last resort, but it can save you towing fees in a pinch. Good luck

 

Positive the shift is in "P". If it is, try to shift from park to N to D and again to park. Give it a try before throwing money in the black hole.

 

Hopefully it was one of the simple issues described above. Any update to report?

 

Nothing yet - I'm heading down there right now armed with my FSM and some good ole common sense from you guys.

Thanks again and I'll let you know what I find out when I find it.

Jay

 

My 95 had the same problem, and it turn out to be a worn out key ignition cyl, I had to take to dealer Got new cyl and new ignition keys
about $400.00. Hope this helps

 

Let us know what turns up Jay. My 95 has been stuck at work for almost two weeks. I'm just about fed up enough with this money pit that I may give it back to the bank. Mine has a new Powesmaster starter, so I'm not sure that's it, but you never know with these C4's. I've also got one of those damn after-market security sytems that has that little under-dash plug-in computerboard looking thing. I hate those (previous owner install) and it has givin me trouble before. I bypassed (buthchered McGyver style) it that night, but still no start. Just dead in the water with plenty of juice in the battery. I'm tired.....and broke.

 

Many times a corroded battery connection will give this result: battery tests good but won't turn the starter.
Take off both connections, wire brush the connectors and the battery terminals, reinstall.

Larry

 

Well, I got to work and threw the CCm in diagnostic mode. It gave me a current DTC of 51 - Bad Pass Key. So I put the spare in and it fired right up. Kudos to 65z01 and anyone else who suggested the spare key. And thanks to all of you for your help

Jay

 

That will not work, the VATS system is smarter than that. The ONLY thing you can do is wait it out. Anything you try to do only resets the timer, including disconnecting the battery.

BTW, disabling the VATS in the computer may solve some VATS problems but certainly not all. I have a key without a resistor in it specifically to test that theory. I tried turning the VATS off in the computer and it doesn't get it. On the F-bodies and stuff it may get it, but with the Vette it's all tied in through the CCM and it still has to see the right resistance. You can bypass it though by perm. wiring the proper resistance into the circuit down below the dash (required for remote start)

 

Congrats on solving the problem.

Now all you need is a new spare ignition key, for next time.

One of the first things I did upon getting my '88 was to have the local Chevy dealer cut me a spare set of keys.

 

Ok, so to get a new key made, what do I need? Just my original key and my vin # ?

Also, if my VATS, how long is the 'wait - it - out' time after I reconnect my battery? And, is there anything else related to do?

Thanks guys.

 

Just take your key to dealer they will check the resistants. I help a guy at a guy show when his wouldn't start and I just unhocked the battery and then hooked it back after a couple of minutes. It fired right up.

 

I had some problems like that right after I got my 92. Know the problem? I have a bad habit of sticking my keys in my mouth on the way to the car!!! Pass key no likey. Did you know that they let morons buy Corvettes too?