Hey guys, I'm at that point where I'm near to start my 85' Camaro after 2-3 years restoring to make it run. Rebuilt zz4 crate motor, 700r with 2 kits+ corvette servo, much more. But to the point, I have replace with brand new: battery cables, redtop battery, ignition and neutral safety switch, and new starter. I have check both sides of the fusible links that connects to the starter and it lights up with test light, I used a voltmeter and got 12.8v everywhere under the hood. The engine will turn over with a remote starter kit, but I don't want to continue to pursue on turning the engine on without using the actual keys. I'm waiting on a trustworthy mechanic to fix it, but he has too much and still busy after a month I've been waiting on him. Now I'm lost where to get this baby running, too much sentimental value and way too much money put into this car , anyone got a clue where the problem going to be at? I feel like it should be running...... Plus school coming back up soon, at least I want this thing running good so I can just throw in for paint during school.

 

Bump, anyone?

 

bump

 

may not be a whole lot of help, as i'm not too familiar with the 85's wiring, but if i understand your post correctly, you seem to have power but no cranking? have you checked the wire to the starter for cranking and/or have it connected to the right terminal on the solenoid? on my 91, it's a purple wire, yours may be the same. i'd check there first. hopefully that helps somewhat... otherwise i'd be verifying power to the ignition itself. there may be a 'crank' fuse in your block, too... maybe a starter enable relay... but i'm speaking in regards to mine, again, yours may not be the same.

 

Where exactly is this relay at? I'm getting power to the gauges, and also I forgot to add I don't have Vats (for those who probably chime in it). I can turn it with a remote starter kit, but not with the key so the problem is definetly between the starter and ignition. I've check both sides of the fusible links with test light, I'm thinking the problem is under the dash because I can't trace it any further then the firewall. I don't think mine are colored purple, it's just red wires coming between them.

 

Just looked again, reinstall the starter/ignition switch. still same thing gauges and everything works but the starter won't turn over with key. And I don't think I have a relay

 

at this point i would verify the wire from the ignition to the starter to make sure there is continuity. you can do that, too, with a test light. if you don't get the light, i would check that circuit right at the ignition itself, to make sure that circuit is working. may be a p-i-t-a, but you probly need to just go back right to the source - ignition - and make sure you are able to complete that circuit to start. i'd have to look at my wiring again, but i think even in my car that once all the other checks are in the block, that 'crank' wire comes straight from the ignition. other than that, i'd have to look in the service manual for the 85's wiring.

 

Thanks, I use the test light on the ignition switch plug in (same two red wires) and got power. This thing is driving me nuts lol

 

I thought I had the wiring diagrams for the 85's, but I don't. looking at mine, all that we may have in common is that apparently from the ignition, it then goes to the neutral switch and then to the solenoid. are you getting power at the neutral switch when you engage the crank? check on the connector first, then reconnect it and check again. if that switch is off by just enough, that may be the problem.

 

I haven't check the neutral switch power yet, but I did just replaced it. Thanks I'll check that tomorrow, if not I guess I'll have to gamble my trust to some mechanic to help me finish it up. The one I trust is too busy right now after his vacation.

 

Just checked the power on the switches again, and I got power. I checked the firewall in engine bay for power, I got power. At this point, I think I'll just send it off to someone else to finish it up . The only other thing I could think of problem wise is the actuator is off in wrong slot on the switch? but I reinstalled following instructions more carefully and still got same problem

 

i've never replaced an ignition before, so i'll just say 'good luck' with it now. i hope it's fairly simple - and i'm sure it will be - to someone else! i have a phantom in mine that causes it not to start on occasion, but haven't figured it out yet, either. 99% of the time it starts, so don't think much about it...

 

what about the relay behind the kick panel, driver side?

not sure if 85 had one but my 89 does

 

I don't think it does, could you possibly snap a picture of it for me?

 

 

Guys I FINALLY found the problem.....I had the ignition switch installed wrong, unfortunately the instructions that came with it wasn't clear enough. All I have to do is push it back until it will crank with key and viola! my 2 months problem solved! Now I can continue to get the BEAST to unleash after sitting for years. Can't wait a dream finally coming true.

 

awesome - i'll try to remember that for mine... the ignition feels pretty 'sloppy' and i have had occasional problems with it not cranking, couldn't figure it out, but noticed the other day that if it doesn't crank and i pull the key back out and push it back in, it'll start... so maybe a worn out ignition switch or something to do with the vats. i'll have to look in to it at a later date - right now i have an overheat issue that just cropped up out of nowhere... glad you figured it out, tho, and got her fixed!