Kind of new here on the board, hoping that some other members on here may be of assistance to an issue Im having with my 91 Z28 convertible(bought it for $800--what a steal) apologies in advance for the long post, just trying to give good details of my issue I've had this car for aprox 3 years with no problems what so ever. It has been in storage for about 1.5 years now. its a 5.7L TPI auto been having problems starting the car, had narrowed it down the VATS not reading the key. I've replaced fuel pump, new injectors, ignition, etc, just because of the age. I got around to bypassing the VATS by using the resistor method. My key is a number 9 so I was planning on using a 3k ohm resistor(that should work correct? since the key isn't reading how should one connect the resistor? now before I tried the resistor, I replaced the battery as it was due one, car turned over several times and wouldn't crank as usual. Very dumb question if the starter enable relay is bad, the starter wouldn't engage at all correct? the fuel pump comes on every time. Now I began to inspect the starter enable relay I unplugged it, the starter still engaged and turned over (previous owner had a push putton starter) that being said the starter enable relay had been bypassed correct? after a few attempts to start the car, the starter won't engage, can't hear the usual click if there is low battery or bad ground, double checked connections, etc, nothing, after about a day the starter will engage very slowly then won't do anything at all. possibly a bad starter? any chance I could have shorted out the starter solenoid via the starter enable relay even though it appears to by bypassed?Any suggestions based on this description? thanks in advance James G

anyone?

VATS bypass: there are many threads here about how to connect the resistor, a simple search will show a lot of posts. (sorry, don't have any links)

Starter: since the Starter Enable Relay has already been bypassed, you can rule it out completely. If the starter is turning over slowly, I would check the battery cables and voltage on the starter while cranking (on the big battery cable and also on the purple wire). That should tell you where the problem lies.

Hope this helps.
Lou

i believe its just the starter, hopefully... also when I turn the key on my security light might flash once but then stays on without flashing.. if the VATS is bad then security will flash correct?

thanks
James G

I would say your selonoid is junk. Do this to find out. turn you're key to the on position. and then jump the selonoid. if it turns and fires up then good. then its the seloniod and i would say replace the starter and the selonoid. Now if it doesn't stay running then it could be the key. but. i almost be it has a bad spot in the starter or the selonoid isn't engaging. SO try the jumping method. and be careful to not get you're fingers in the way of things. ANd make sure its in nuetral with e brake on if manual and park if the car is automatic.

ALso it could be the starter switch located on the steering column.