I drove it thursday morning and parked it after work. I came back about an hour after parking it and it wouldn't start. I've had the starter bench tested and I have power down to the starter. My next step is to check the starter and ignition modules. After that I'm pretty much out of ideas. I'll take any help I can get. Thanks

 

So it wasn't cranking? Sounds like you tripped VATS (Vehicle Anti- Theft System).....if it happens again, look at the Security light in the gauge cluster. With the key in the On position, if the Security light is lit, that means you've set off VATS, which means your starter solenoid will be disabled for 5 minutes or so. Aka, you turn the key to On and you hear the fuel pump, but when you go to start, you're rewarded with silence and no response.

 

i thought vats was only in 90 and up?

 

also, check the neutral saftey switch, i had a similar problem and that was mine.

 

i don't think its the neutral saftey switch, cuz the car would still start in neutral if it was or so i've been told...

 

ok I started working on it again this morning and i checked the starter again, it jumped when circut was completed. Could it be the distributor or possibly the coil, or the dreaded ECM.... HELP GANG I'M DEAD IN THE WATER HERE.....

 

89 was the first year, may have been changeover, may only have been is the IROCS and T/A's

 

So it isn't VATS
there IS power getting down to the starter
Does it crank at all? ..... if yes ....possible module ...if no ??????

you said when you completed the circuit it started ( well turned over ) ......did the car fire up ? Or did it crank at all ....or just " jump " as you say ?

 

the starter jumped like when you bench test it. I'm pretty much out of ideas about now.... the car couldn't fire the starter was un bolted but the wires were still connected.

 

Well .....if it is only "jumping" ............ maybe look into the fact that the brushes might be shot ?? I am only gonig on what you are saying .


***** I am still not totally clear on the symptoms ****


Have that starter bolted in turn the key ahead ....does it still jump ? If not ......haold that key ahead ....and get someone to tap the houseing of the starter with a hammer ( carefull you don't want to crack the case ) ......if it is "sticky" or worn brushes ...... it should kick over .

 

I've done that already. It doesn't kick over when its bolted in, so maybe its dead hell I don't know..... Everything else acts normal like the fuel pump and stuff.... The car just won't turn over at all no solenoid click no nothing. And the starter only "jumped" when i completed the circut by using a wire from the positive to the negative connections on the starter not when i tried to turn it over.

 

try this ......turn your headlights on ........... crank the motor ( I know it won't turn over ) ...... how dim do the light get ........do they almost go out ?

 

they don't dim at all, did that yesterday.

 

hmmmm thas wierd . mine dim at least a little when I try to crank it with the lights on ......... check the voltage to the starter when you have the key cranked on . this is starting to sounds more and more like a neutral safety switch

 

i get 8 volts down at the starter. and i've got an aftermarket B&M shifter so i'm not quite sure where the switch would be. I bought the car like this and haven't had time to go thru it to see what I've got.

 

This is the part I can't help you with .........I am not sure what volts should be there ..............and I don't know where the safety switch is ..............I drive a stick ......... hopefully someone chimes in hear with a little insight


but I am assumeing that if you are getting voltage to the starter terminal ......... the safety switch isn't a factor .

but try and turn it over in Neutral ...then park ....... Sorry man ,.......if I come up with something else to try I'll post it

 

thanks for your help. welcome to my frustration lol..... she ran fine til thursday then poof dead..... oh well i'll figure it out.