i have a 92 z-28...my problem is that the car will only start sometimes. I have looked through the threads but have found no concrete answer. The car sounds like it is going to turn over but it just doesnt. Usually the first turn of the key it will turn over and run or it will start and shut off. After that it will not turn over w/out a jump. Its like the voltage is a tiny bit low or something. I have heard it could just be the ignition switch? what do u guys think.

 

Sounds like a charging system issue if you need to jump it immediately after to get it to run. Does it run after you jump it normally or just shut off again? Everything else work otherwise (dash lights, buzzer, accesories)? Have you checked to make sure the battery is connected properly? It may be the ignition switch but thats not all that frequent of an issue, and not fun to replace. Give us some more details, and things you've tried.

 

sounds like a bad ground

 

sorry i should've been more specific. The car will start and stay running on its own when it starts...lights and everything else work just fine. The battery stays properly charged and you can hear the starter trying to turn over. Its not whinning down like the battery is to low it sounds like its going through a normal start but it just wont turn over from their. I read that it may be the aftermarket alarm(was in when i got and seemed fine) or the ignition switch possibly. b/c sometimes it does idle low and stahl out(only after its been running for 10 mins or so if i can get it to start for a second time). On the first start after a jump it runs 100% fine. It seems to happen more when its hot but that could be a coincedence. It will usually turn over and not stay started, then when i turn the key again it does what i described above.

 

You need to get a lil background info on the alarm system to see how advanced it is...if it will kill power to the fuel pump or kill the car as some security feature. Is this motor 5.0 or 5.7 and TBI or TPI?

 

could be poor ground, can you figure out if your getting spark the first time when it doesn't want to start? I don't know much about VATs, neone on here think it may be the system? I know on my newer truck with the programmed key my signal in my key was weak and would work sometimes and not others...

 

i read somewhere that as long as the security light goes off after 2 secs when the key is turn then Vats is not my issue....the car is a 5.7L TPI

i am having the security system(was a viper system to auto page) upgraded this weekend. Hopefully it will start for the guys installing it and this may fix the issue.

From doing some reading it really sounds like the ignition switch, but i just cant be sure cause i dont know alot about that.