I own a 89 Camaro rs with a 305 tbi in it. I tried starting it one day and my radio turned on I heard my fan switch on but my engine didnt crank. I’ve just replaced my starter after getting it tested and the people said it was bad but nothing has changed. I’m at a lost here and figured I would try you guys out.

 

Do you have power to the "S" terminal at the starter when the key is turned to "crank"? Should be a purple wire. You ought to have nearly battery voltage there, and often there's no volts, or reduced voltage. Not enough power--won't crank. Suspect corroded connections, faulty/misadjusted neutral safety or clutch safety switch, or failed ignition switch, or failed fuse that powers the starter solenoid.

Similarly, if you supply power to the "S" terminal via a 12-gauge jumper wire...the starter better run.

 

An 89 should have the Vats system on it. Do you have a light on the dash "security"?

 

I checked the starter wires and there receiving twelve bolts and when I tried jumping it with a screwdriver it just spun and didn’t sound like it was engaging. I’ve checked all of my fuses in the fuse box under my steering wheel but those are all good. I don’t even think I have a neutral safety switch cause for as long as I’ve had the car I could start it while in drive or reverse.

 

No bit I’m not sure if the lights even work cause I tried pulling flash codes with a paper clip and I couldn’t get my check engine light to flash l.

 

WHICH wire is getting 12 volts, and does it only get "12 volts" when the key is turned to "crank"?

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WHICH wire did you "jump", and where did you jump it from? The point is to put battery voltage to the "S" terminal.

If the engine doesn't crank, but the starter spins, you need a new starter drive. Most folks just replace the starter and solenoid. Not many open the starter to put in a new starter drive. If you open the starter, might as well rebuild it completely--new bushings, leather washer, brushes, shift fork, starter drive. Polish the armature, verify the field coils, clean or replace the solenoid.


So someone has already been in there, and screwed-up the wiring. You'll need to set that right.

 

I just tried jumping the s terminal to the main positive one had someone turn the key and it did start but now when I turn the key still nothing. It’s a brand new starter cause I got my old one tested and it was bad.

 

I’m thinking it my be my ignition switch or somthing like that

 

Going off the top of my head, the power goes to the ignition switch from either the starter, or the junction by the battery. Goes through a fusible link, then to the IGN switch, from the switch to the starter relay behind the driver's side kick panel, then to the neutral safety switch, then to the starter. If Austin thirdgen was up, I could link you to a wiring diagram. Somewhere along the line, you've got a bad wire or connection.

 

I got it to work one of the two white wires that comes off of the ignition lock cylinder was broken so I just reattached them and it runs fine now