Ok people, this makes no sense, so i'll try explaining it the best i can-

I was working on my car and put everything back together and drove it home- it cranked up fine- about 30 minutes later, i went to go to the store and it wont crank- it wont even try-the starter wont even click- when i turn the key on, the acc. will come on, but it wont even try to turn over- nothing happens-- i have no clue whats going on!?! its really pissing me off- i checked all the fuses and did every normal check that might be the cause and nothing. I'm stuck at home people, its my only ride-- HELP!!!!!!!

 

Fusible link at the starter?

 

whats a fusible link? can it just go out all of a sudden? how much/how expensive are they to replace?

 

A fusible link is a section of wire run inline with the cable, they do the same thing as a regular fuse, protecting the good stuff from the bad stuff. They can go bad all of a sudden, but in my case its always been my fault. Ive heard however, that they can get old and crack. (verification somebody?) If you cant do it yourself, a good shop wont charge all that much to replace them.

 

how much are they to purchase

 

Yes, they definitely can just up and fail; usually their insulation wears through and they short to the little metal tube they're in.

They cost a buck or 2, nothing significant. Very easy to replace too, except for that they're down there by the starter.

 

i don't know about camaro's but when i lost my fuse link in my truck i had no power to the dash no lights radio start etc,but i have yet to see ol RB give out advice that is not spot on or in the ball park so here goes my 2 cents the fusible link is usally located on the fire wall near the dist. most of the ones i have encountered look lik small cylindrical shaped objects that have a wire coming out at the top and and the bottom one wire will go down to your starter sol and the other to the fire wall check by verifying that there is voltage on both sides of the link but i would also suggest that you double check where and what you were doing prior cuz to make sure you did not knock something loose etc and also make sure you don't have a short that generally what pops those links later hope this helps

 

damn i type slow when i stared typing there was only one reply

 

i drove the car home from the shop after hooking up my reverse lights and everything- and it cranked like normal-- then i came inside for like 30 minutes, walked back outside, went to get in the car and tried to crank, and nothing- the radio and stuff all happens like normal, but the starter doesnt engage or anything

 

Hmmmm.... you may have a VATS issue then.

Pay attention to what your "security" light does. I can't recall exactly what it's supposed to do, but see if it does differently when it screws up, from what it does when it works right. Try cleaning the contact in your key with some thinner or alcohol or something.

 

well heres the thing- i have kind of a jerry-rigged VATS setup.
the original key got stuck in the ignition- it turned on one day, and it wouldnt turn back to the OFF position. so i went out and got a regular key/ignition and put that in place of the old setup- it works fine, i've never had a problem with it. and the cool thing is, i can take the whole VATS key/ignition setup with me if i want to and the car wont start. and thats how its acting now, but i checked all the wiring and everything is plugged in like it normally is supposed to. it just doesnt crank over. any suggestions? i cant check the key's resistance since its stuck in the ignition.. help people

 

Un-rig and fix the lock cylinder.

 

the key is stuck in the ignition- how do i get it out?? its stuck in the run position and wont move-

 

You'd need to remove the air bag, steering wheel, etc.

 

i dont think you're understanding-- the original key is stuck in the run position- when that happened, i just went out and bought a regular ignition/key set and put that in place of the original one. so the PASS key is always in the RUN position but the generic one turns the car on/off. I went out this morning and disconnected the negative cable for a minute and let the computer reset and still nothing. I got in the car and turn the key on and the SECURITY light came on for 2 seconds, then turned off BUT STILL NOTHING!! i'm baffled..