Saturday night I pulled my 92 firebird out of the garage and it started up just fine and then I went to start it up again to put back in the garage and NOTHING. No clicking or even trying to crank. I went and had my battery tested and it is perfect. I then had a lock smith come over and test my key and my ignition and they are both working fine.

When you put the key in and turn to the ON position all the lights on the dash come on as normal and the security light comes on and then goes away but when you try to start it NOTHING but the only thing that I see that is weird is that the Oil pressure guage needle will dart to the right, is that normal?

Could this be a starter? I have replace many starters but they usually give you some warning before they go out or they will click.

I'm stumped, Please help!!!

 

HELP anyone....?

 

My 91 RS did the same thing. All I Had to do was give it time, and eentually it would start. When you turn your key to ''ON'' Does it say 'SECURITY' on the dash somewhere? Its probably your VATS mesing up..I Know this doesnt help much, but its all I got..Good luck

 

when i first put the key in the security light does come on for just a few seconds but then goes away because everything is working with the VATS i think.

 

Check for power to the starter solenoid. There should be power to the thick cable coming from the battery at all times and the small wire should get power when you try to crank it.

 

I will try that when I get home from work tonight.

 

Ok, I broke down and finally wrote a tech article on Troubleshooting the starter circuit because so many people have lately had a no-start problem.

Let us know what you find.

Hope this helps.
Lou

 

Thanks Lou!!!

 

my 89rs was doing the same thing. turned out to be the starter wire was grounding out and not doing anything when i turned the key. replaced it and it fired right up.

 

Hunnicuttz; if an engine gauge flips when trying to crank I'd check if the engine's ground is good. Cranking current can raise engine ground considerably above battery ground if it's not good.
There are really only three major things to check; if ground is ground everywhere (battery, engine, chassis) - if there's always power on the big post on the starter - if the purple wire on the starter gets powered by the key in the crank position. A test lamp may suffice to check all this.

 

My 88 Iroc did the same thing. Changed the neutral safety switch and haven't had a problem since. Who would have thought that $9 would cause all of this head ache.

 

Hunnicuttz, any update on your no-start?

Lou

 

Sorry I hadn't checked this thread in a while. Yes, I figured it out. It was the Starter Solenoid. It was just weird how it went out with no warnings. Thanks for all the help guys!!!

 

interesting that I'm having the same problem with my car. right now I'm thinking that its the wire on the solinoid, but maybe the solenoid could be the problem.

 

Tell me more about this neutral safety switch, how do i find it, how do i test it ?

I have no power at all going to the purple wire on the starter after finding a ground.

 

The neutral safety should be on the linkage where it goes into the tranny.
If it's not there then it is in the console with the shifter. Don't think so though.
If you have a manual it is like the brake switch, but on the clutch pedal.

 

I had a starter do that to me on the 87 camaro I have. V6 but thats the cheap way to go.. if its the relay change the whole thing just due to it beeing easier you know....is the fuel pump humming? also if you have a chip in your key like my 91 camaro has will go in security mode and the key has to be pulled and wait a few mins..or the chip is wearing, try the extra set of key if you have it........hope u find it

 

Used the link to the sticky, car is on the road !