Hello all,

Buckle up for a weird one.

Got myself a 1989 Camaro RS(pay no attention to username that was my first car 15 years ago) that when I press the hatch release button, the starter engages.

I have found all of one other thread where this was happening, and in that thread a mod that the OP did was the clear cause. I did not modify this car at all, but I cannot speak to any previous ones.

I understand that the hatch release switch wiring provides ground to the hatch release via the starter solenoid and thus the issue I'm experiencing while rare, is not as crazy as it sounds.

My question is as follows:

1- Where the heck do I start to determine WHY this is happening on my specific vehicle.
2 - Is there any harm in... NOT finding out WHY, and just... disconnecting the wire that continues on to the starter, from the hatch release switch and either providing it ground all the time (while being careful not to hit it while driving down the highway) or via my perferred way which is giving it ground via the parking brake switch, much like it would be if it was a manual transmission.
3- There is an aftermarket alarm in this car, could this be the cause by any chance?

Any thoughts here?

Thanks.

 

Looking at a diagram, the only thing it really could be is a faulty hatch release relay, providing enough power through the relay windings to allow the starter solenoid to engage. Also, no harm in either giving it a permanent ground path or using the parking brake switch.

 

Thanks for the reply. I will start with changing that relay. That will be an easy test. From there I will move on to the ground location swap. I think I’ll go with the parking brake switch as I intend eventually once I know more about this car to T-56 swap, so that will just be one thing I won’t have to do then (:


can you confirm my understanding. This car is 1989 and so has VATS keys. The car also has an alarm.

Does the fact that I can engage the starter with the hatch switch when keys are out of the ignition mean that VATS has been bypassed?

Thanks

 

No, it doesn't mean vats has been bypassed. It is simply behaving the same way it would if you were to manually apply power to the starter solenoid with a wire.

 

No. You're "by passing" VATS, with the hatch system, but the car still should not start (it'll crank but shouldn't fire), b/c the injectors should be disabled. When the issue is fixed or any time you're using the key, VATS will still be fully functional.

 

Thank you to both of you for clarifying this.

I understand that it’s hard to diagnose without more information. I will come back with info once I at least try changing the relay.

But last question before I do: based on the circuit itself, is there any way that the installation of the alarm could be the cause for this? Like some 12V getting sent somewhere it should not be, etc? Thanks

Thank you

 

Only if the alarm somehow ran a 12v power wire to the yellow wire that runs from the hatch release relay, to the hatch release switch. IDK why any alarm system could or would do that, but you could trace that wire and see if something has been spiced into it.

 

Ya'll are so knowledgeable. What a treat. Thanks

 

Eh....it helps to have the schematics available.

Glad to help...wish I had GOOD help available back when I was trying to fix things on my car 30+ years ago.

 

I'd say someone had bypassed the vats system and was using the button to start the car.

 

I doubt it.

1. They wouldn't have to bypass the VATS. You still need the key to turn the ignition switch ON...and to unlock the steering column so that you can steer the car. If the key is already in the tumbler so that you can turn it to do those things....then you don't need to bypass VATS. VATS can already read the key
2. Bypassing VATS by running a jumper wire to the starter still won't start the engine. The engine will CRANK, but not fire.
3. Why would someone use the hatch release button to start the car??? They'd have to really enjoy getting out and closing the hatch, every time that they started the car. I'd think that someone, if they went through all the trouble of wiring...they'd likely install a button for car-starting.

 

as posted above. I’m not as well versed as them but even I can see looking at the wiring diagram how that isn’t what is likely

thanks though