I recently purchased an 89' firebird, it had some mechanical issues but now they are resolved. Well they were anyway, until I noticed that the flex-plate had no teeth left on it, and I couldn't start the car.

I repaced the flexplate and starter, the whole job went pretty cleanly, however when it came time to crank the car. Nothing.

No interior lights, no break lights, no anything. Just dead.

The battery is fine, hooking up jumper cables didn't do anything, the interior lights still wouldn't come on.

Any idea what would cause this?

 

I think VATS only shuts off the starting of the car, not electrical power to the car. You may want to post on the electrical boards. Did the lights and all work before you changed the starter and flexplate? If so, then there might be an inline fuse that popped when you did the swaps. Maybe just a regular fuse. Maybe a bad ground.

I know this probably won't help much, but it might give you an idea.

 

make sure all the wires are connected properly... check your fusible links.. no power at all wouldnt be a vats problem, vats simply disables the starter circuit when the correct resistance isnt sent to the module

 

Your problem is not VATS related at this time. I would start by checking all the fusible links at the starter first. If they are blown, you won't get any power to the fuse panel, ECM, or lights.

 

I'm trying to retrace my steps, there are two bolts that wires are connected to.. a small one that a brown wire goes to... and then a big copper bolt that I attached two orange wires to.. is there a 3rd wire that needs to be bolted to the big copper bolt?

 

Yes, and the wire with the small terminal lug goes on the small post marked "S".

 

Ok, the main battery cable was not connected to my starter. Hooked it up and the car is running great. Thanks Guys.