Hey guys, I haven't needed the boards lately cuz archives are so good. I looked in archives but still have questions.

89 IROC won't crank. This problem began one night after work. I tapped the starter solenoid while my boss turned the key and it started after a couple of tries. I assumed a new starter would fix the problem. I turned it off when I got home and I haven't been able to start it since then.

Everything electric works in key on position (windows, radio, lights, air blower motor). Changed starter, same problem. I leave the key in on position and jump battery to S terminal on solenoid and engine cranks but will not start. Pulled spark wire from distributor cap and saw sparks. Exhaust smells like gas when cranking and fuel pump is pumping. I left key in cranking position and test light did not come on when touching S terminal. The fact that I can crank the engine and it still won't start pretty much points to the VATS and not a bad ignition wire to the starter or a bad relay right?

I am going to check VAT system next. "Security" light is not coming on. Does that mean VAT system is not the problem? I wonder if the "security" bulb is blown? What exactly does VATS do to keep car from starting? Does it cut the spark, cut the fuel, cut everything? I read that a manual tranny car will not start if VATS is engaged. This means my automatic won't start even when I crank starter direct from battery & key is in on position right? If fuel and spark are there the car should start, unless the VAT system is doing something else to keep it from running. I will check VATS tomorrow, but I would like you guys to assure me that I am moving in the right direction.

THANKS!!

 

If the security light doesn't come on, you probably have a broken wire on the lock cylinder inside the steering column. Very common occurrance with these cars.

 

The wire to the relay, wire to the "security" light? Are you thinking that the VATS is not engaged and this wire is unrelated to the VATS?

Thanks

 

Look under the dash at the steering column and you will see two wires similar to this coming down the steering column.

 

Mine has two little yellow wires connected to a purple w/ yellow stripe and a white w/black stripe kinda like yours. Mines got a black sleeve instead of an orange sleeve. I'm assuming this is where I check the resistance with the key in and see if it matches with the key itself. I disconnected the connector and tried to start the car. The car didn't crank and the "security" light still didn't come on. I will borrow a multimeter from work tomorrow.

 

You got it, the original lock cylinders had the yellow wires with the black sleeve. The newer ones like you see in that
picture were white with an orange sleeve.
With the wires disconnected, the light wouldn't come on because the circuit is broken and the VATS control module wouldn't see the signal from the key.

 

Just a way to check to know it's vat's for sure....

there's a starter relay in the driver kick panel, pull it off, jump a yellow to the green?, turn the key, if it starts over then it's a vats problem, if not, it's not vats...

there's 4 wires in that relay, yellow, yellow, green, and then one to the starter. Yellows are both hot, green is from the ECM (from VATS) and the fourth goes directly to the starter... a simply piece of wire to jump the yellow to the starter wire bypasses vats.. for the starter... (not for the fuel pump)

that's a good way to check if it's vats, I had the same problem, one of my 2 wires from my key cyllinder broke.. had to get a new one.

 

If resistor doesn't make car start what could it be?? n/m

 

It looks like the wires to the key open up when you turn the ignition on. I used a xxx ohm resistor and hooked it up to the connector on the steering column and bam the car starts now! I love you guys!!!! I love this website!!!! I think I am going to use the resistor as a kill switch. I don't want to bypass the VATS permanently cuz it kept my car from being stolen once already. My steering column is still broken to remind me of that.

THANKS AGAIN GUYS!!!!!

 

Glad to hear its working, <--- been following this thread.

 

well it's not going to stop it from being stolen again if you post the damn resistor! Do you have any idea how many people view this site?

 

Actually, since your problem is solved, it would be cool if the mods just removed this thread....