Ive been trying to figure this out for a while myself and thought it would be time to ask thee experts here. My 85 trans am will crank over no problem for most of the time, but then theres sometimes where the car acts like the automatic shifter is in drive. It doesnt make any noises and the dash goes crazy when i turn key to start position. The brake light comes on, temp gauge pegs out(way past 280*) and tach spins and bounces. Then if i let car sit for 15 minutes car will start no problem......

So whats wrong?

 

i have the same problem in my 89 firebird and i havent gotten any answers i've found a few other forems that people have alot of probs like this and i havent seen a single reply except check the relay i havnt done it yet but hoping to soon so man i feel your pain !!

 

Yah i think i might just wire a stand alone push button setup that uses a hidden toggle switch to disable it.

My 83 firebird didnt ever have this problem so i might just swap harness

 

yea i was thinking going the push button myself seems alot easyier and a quick fix

 

hey bud i am no expert but i could be right. i am assuming the problem is not in relays but actually the ignition set up itself. maybe ignition coil could be goin. maybe ignition module. if that is not the case i would check your cable that goese from the battery to the starter. maybe soe corrosion. or lose conections let me know i might have a few more ideas. but maybe it is a start. maybe the ecu is going if alot of people have the same issue in the same 20 year old cars with the same ecu's

 

That is a good point.
I thought the ignition was bad on my friends, (I know it's a Ford) 84 F-150.
Guages didn't do anything, and wouldn't start. It ended up just being a coil.

 

The car has brand new cables, starter, and battery. I think somethings wrong with the steering column now, today i went out and played with car in garage. I pulled the keys out of ign switch and the chime kept chimming like i had left keys in the car, i had to smack the column and it stopped.

I used the motor/trans/ecu/engine harness from my 83 firebird that had NO problems in my 85 trans am. The car starts perfect when it doesnt "hang up" i did hear a click under dashe when tryin to crank the car today. Its like its grounding out somewhere