Hello

car:1989 firebird, carb. 350

Problem:

Turn key, starter does not engage.

my hack fix:
I have ran a wire from the trigger(small terminal) on the starter to the battery, I touch the wire to the positive terminal, and it cranks, and the car start.

I dont know if this is a VATS problem, becuz obviously the ignition is still hot.

help me out

thanx

 

I don't think it's VATS. My car had the VATS problem and i tryed to start it from the starter and it would just spin the starter. So I did the vats bypass and it fired right up. Also if it was VATS you would probably get a code telling you. It probably has something to do with the starter, someone more experienced with starters will probably reply.

 

thanx for the reply confirmig what I thought, but, I replace the starter, cuz that was definitley bad, so I got this new one in there, which has bench tested good.

I am leaning towards the ignition tumbler?

 

Is it a stick or an auto?
A bad neutral start switch by the clutch on a stick will cause this.

 

its an automatic.

could it be the neutral saftey switch?

how do I check for that?

 

Check to make sure the shift lever is totally in park.
Also try starting the car in neutral.
I'm not sure How to Actually check the switch itself though.
If yuo try a search you may come up with something.

 

tried it, still nothing

 

Consider a mis-adjusted ignition switch. Remember the lock tumbler (your key lock) is not the ignition switch. When you turn the key in the lock, all you are doing is pulling a rod that is connected to the ignition switch, which is mounted further down on your steering column. You need to acess the switch so you can check wiring continuity to the starter, the switch adjustment, & the switch itself.

 

ive got same prob i turn key on everything works but i go to satart and nothing happens radio and all goes off like it would normally but no power to starter so im running a push button now have been for a yr now i think if it was ing switch i would of lost power to other things by now later

 

how do I access the switch?
what does it look like?

 

I think if it were the neutral switch the starter wouldnt spin at all....I would also say check your ignition switch.....

 

Do a "search" on this form for "ignition switch". Vader posted a good reply to this subject.