I'm new here and hopefully somebody can help me out. i have a 1989 iroc 5.7 and it won't engage the starter with the key. the starter is new and i have had problems before but it would always start up after you let it sit but now it does nothing! help !

 

Could use a little more information, does the starter solenoid click? Do any other electronics in the car work? (dome light, stereo, etc.) Does the little red security light on the lower left side of the dash light up and stay on?

You could have any number of issues so it would help if you explained just a little better.

 

Everything in the car works. If i jump the starter directly with a hot wire it will start up. there's just no starter response when you turn key

 

Sounds like the power isnt getting to the ignition, check the positive battery lead to the terminal on the starter you should be getting 12v there. Now if you've got 12v there then have somebody turn the key for you while you check the voltage on the ignition terminal. The ignition terminal should have just 1 smaller wire attached to it, if you get 12v at that terminal then the starter should engage, so if there is 12v there then the problem is likely the starter or the starter solenoid. If you do not get 12v at the ignition terminal then the problem lies somewhere between the starter and the ignition switch.

Based upon what you've told me it sounds like you are getting 12v from the battery so my best guess would be that you will find a break in one of the ignition wires. Hope this helps you out.

 

Thanks that did help. what colors are the ignition wires ?

 

I couldn't say exactly, the wires on my car are different then stock because the whole wiring harness was removed and redone, if memory serves me though I think the wire that comes back to the ignition terminal is purple...once you get under the car they'll be pretty easy to trace up though it's finding them under the dash that gets tricky

 

could be the Park/Nuetral switch on the shifter has gone bad or is loose..

 

I've been fighting this issue for weeks. The farther into the car I dig, the more junk I find rigged in. So trace the wiring and look for half-a$$ed wiring fixes from previous owners.

Here's a rundown of what happens:

Assuming you have VATS...
Key in - VATS pellet is recognized by VATS module, which grounds the starter enable relay, activating it. Turn to start - ignition switch (a switch, not the lock cylinder) sends 12v out on a large yellow wire to the starter enable relay, which has already been activated by the VATS module, and the 12v runs through the relay and out on a large dark green wire to the Nuetral Safety Switch (NSS). If in neutral (or PARK on an auto), the 12v is sent out of the NSS on a large purple wire through the bulkhead connector on the driver side and out to the starter.

So, starter relay could be bad ($8) located driver kick panel, usually under some black goo where the hood release is.

NSS could be bad ($20-$30) - if automatic it's in center console attached to the side if the shifter, on a manual it's rigged into the clutch pedal I believe (think clutch has to be depressed to start manual car). On the auto cars, I noticed that the plastic tab on the NSS can slip out of the slot on the shifter causing problems - I had to do some slight bending on my bracket to ensure my NSS stayed in the shifter slot. NSS is adjustable in an auto car as well - loosen 2 screws and slide foward/back. Make sure it's adjusted properly and that the tab is in the shifter.

Other than that, look for wiring hacks on any other those wires. Someone cut into and respliced the wiring in my car, and I found a crimp connector on my yellow ignition wire that I'm hoping is my issue since I've replaced EVERYTHING else in the last month!

That should be right for your car - can't see where there'd be any major difference between 89 and 92. Good Luck!