Hello Thirdgen,

About sometime in october my 89 firebird Formula *305 TBI* quit running, it was having some issues with a code 42 since I bought it, replaced everything in the system besides an ignition module.

On the actual topic, I came home from work and parked my bird in the street *the usual due to I got home before sister and brother got home from school*
I went outside to move my car back into the driveway and it just refused to crank over, the fuel systems were getting power I had power to everything just when I turned the key over nothing happened, starter is brand new and I figured eh the battery may be bad which was replaced.

Im thinking that when the prev owner replaced the ign cylinder they did not plug the ign. switch in all the way or it was becoming bad, My accessories do not recieve power probably a month prior I was turning a corner and my radio and everything cut out, and my tilt wheel is well not locking and can move about pretty freely, so I'm stumped if anybody could throw a thought my way it would be great, I really wanna get the accessories working again but bottom line I need my car to start. snow is melting and Its getting time to put her back on the road

 

If the PO replaced the key cylinder and did not use a VATS cylinder, then you may have a VATS issue. Does your key have a pellet in it? The PO would have had to bypass the VATS with a resistor - since you stated the wheel is wobbling, maybe the resistor came out. On the main TGO page, click tech articles on the left, and look at the VATS/PASSKEY articles, find those wires under your dash, and see if the resistor came out.

If it's NOT a VATS issue, you can start the car by applying 12v+ on a nice sized wire to the where the purple wire is on the starter. PITA to get there with stock manifolds, but you'll also find this large purple wire under the dash driver side close to the firewall connector - turn key on and apply 12v+ from BATT on fuse box to that purple wire and it should start if VATS is working.

If that works, then I'd say you have an issue with the starter enable relay or the ignition switch or the nuetral safety switch - here's a starter diag article:

http://www.austinthirdgen.org/index.php?pid=38

And here's all wiring diags:
http://www.austinthirdgen.org/index.php?pid=19

All these article are GREAT! http://www.austinthirdgen.org/index.php?pid=2

Save those links in your favs!

 

Yes my key has the pellet in it, was sent from the dealership, but yeah It just stopped turning over 1 day security light doesnt even bother to come on at this point (btw Im the same guy as the poster)

 

Maybe there's an issue with the ignition switch (not key cylinder) - it's located on top of the steering column - take underdash panel off, remove two large nuts holding underdash panel brace (V shaped), then remove two nuts holding column up, and let column hang down on the wire bundles - then you can get to the ignition switch and see the plug going into it. There's also a cable attached to it (if automatic tranny) and a rod that moves in/out of it from the key cylinder.

 

do you got an alarm?

 

no alarm, I think its the switch because the wheel is wobbly and isnt tight....idk. been trying to figure out how to get at the switch but not able to see where these bolts are that are holding the column up

 

Just two nuts hold it up from the bottom, lay on your back n crawl under the dash part way.

wobbly wheel is the lose tilt steering bolts, All GMs with tilt have this problem, after time the bolts back out and it gets sloppy. [to cheap to use locktite]

Its not a fun job, need a piviot pin puller, make sure n red locktite em.

 

I still have that same problem, camaronewbie really helped me out awhile ago with this same issue, Mine had a replacement column turned out the ign switch was fine, proper vats resistors intalled, relays I thought was bad, was atually in pieces, replaced with new, no change, also replaced my ecm, which fixed the long cranking issues, but the starting prob still remains, I just spliced in a push start button in the dash so I can start the car now, but the actuall prob is somewere in the starting circuit as camaronewbie helped me figure out in the end, I just havent gotten far enought to find the problem. If you get it figured out let me know, cuz we have the same exact problem, and if I figure out mine I'll let you know. By the way that ign switch can be a real pita- easy to remove, but getting those damn bolts back in and lined up so your key switch works right can be a hassel.

 

okay so issue solved. I'm thinking the wire was sheared when my tilt wheel was loose and got pinched...easy fix was to use resistor method on vats...she is running like a champ. Now to fix that pesky wheel and shes off to the races baby.