sometimes car won't start, please help!
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
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sometimes car won't start, please help!
I have a 91 firebird and sometimes I go to turn the key and... nothing. But the "security" light comes on. Is this some factory anti-theft system? If so, what triggers it? And how can I disable it? If I wait a while, I go to start it and it fires right up. Thanks in advance.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 43
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From: Ames, IA, US
Since you say its a 91 then it should be equiped wih vats, the little stone on the key... Make sure your using that and not a copy. I know that you can dissable that vats system but I don't know how.
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,566
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From: Toronto, Ont
Clean your key with some WD or Liquid Wrench. The contact in the middle of the key is a resistor value that the computer must 'read' to enable the ignition system. Spray some wd in the ignition keyspace as well. I was surprised at how much gunk came out of there. Feels brand new after you clean it up though...
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89 GTA G92
305 TPI
WC 5spd w/3.45 rear
Accel Cap & 8mm Taylor's
Crane Ignition
Custom 4" Cold Air Induction
Jet Airfoil
K&N Airfilter
160 deg stat/fan switch
Hypertech Thermomaster Chip
Steel Rad
Cat back 3" Exhaust
HiGh FlOw Dynomax Cat
------------------
89 GTA G92
305 TPI
WC 5spd w/3.45 rear
Accel Cap & 8mm Taylor's
Crane Ignition
Custom 4" Cold Air Induction
Jet Airfoil
K&N Airfilter
160 deg stat/fan switch
Hypertech Thermomaster Chip
Steel Rad
Cat back 3" Exhaust
HiGh FlOw Dynomax Cat
Supreme Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 0
From: VA
Car: '91 Z28
Engine: L98 5.7L TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 323's
DO NOT spray WD-40 in your ignition or door lock cylinders, unless you want to mess 'em up eventually. Use that graphite stuff that's made for that...
Now, my experience with your type of problem turned out to be corroded/dirty terminals on the starter and battery. My car did the same thing for 3 or 4 months, then I figured it out one (by luck, I guess) and disconnected everything on the starter, solenoid, and battery. I cleaned them up using the wire brush on my dremel, and doing some by hand, but have not had a problem since - been about 5 months now...
KAM
Now, my experience with your type of problem turned out to be corroded/dirty terminals on the starter and battery. My car did the same thing for 3 or 4 months, then I figured it out one (by luck, I guess) and disconnected everything on the starter, solenoid, and battery. I cleaned them up using the wire brush on my dremel, and doing some by hand, but have not had a problem since - been about 5 months now...
KAM
Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: lost in southern Indiana
I go through the same problem on my 92Z, sometimes it just won't do anything. It is the VATS i nmy case. I just let it set for a little bit 15-20 seconds with the key out, and try it. It usually works.
Jeremy
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92 Z conv
5-spd B&M shifter
home-made ram air, air foil, headers, no cat, TB bypass, kevlar pads, slotted rotors, BMR panhard, alston SFC, 3.42's, Edelbrock STB, 350 in the works
Jeremy
------------------
92 Z conv
5-spd B&M shifter
home-made ram air, air foil, headers, no cat, TB bypass, kevlar pads, slotted rotors, BMR panhard, alston SFC, 3.42's, Edelbrock STB, 350 in the works
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