I've got an 89 Firebird with the 2.8L V6. I've done all sorts of work on it but one thing is really getting me stuck. It seems like there is a bad connection somewhere in the wiring because the car doesn't always start. I'll turn the key and all the accessories come on but it's like the car doesn't get the signal to start. If you slam the door or do something to shake the car some it seems to fix whatever the problem is and voila it'll usually start. The car sat for about 1 1/2 years because of a broken water pump that I finally replaced Sunday. I already changed out the starter and had a new ignition put it at the same time. Oh and another thing is the turn signal stem is broken and whenever you make a left turn the horn honks (I disconnected the horn for now) Also about 2 years ago the steering wheel was very loose and I took it apart and tightened it but that was AFTER the starting issues had already begun, but I didn't see anything unusal.

Problem is I just sold the car to someone and I don't want to give him an additional problem if I can help it. I had honestly totally forgotten about the problem until yesterday when I went to start it up and it didn't start first time (it had every time before that since fixing it). I told the kid that night about it when he bought it but he is not mechnically inclined at all. I even knocked $600 off the price even though I fixed the water pump, truck motor, and put a new battery in it to try to be fair. I told him to take the car to a shop to get the new turn signal stem put in because I figure that way they can double check that everything is ok in the steering wheel. Please help me out here, I want this kid to get a really nice WORKING car.

 

sounds like you have electrical demons. trickster is good at this on the electrical forum, but for starters;
when you try and start it, and it won't start, the lights go on? but when you turn the key further, it doesn't groan or anything, lights don't dim, just nothing happens? just checking here..
you put on a new starter eh? check the connections at the solenoid. I'd disconnect the negative (obviously), then start wiggling wires at the starter. Trace the wiring from positive to starter and on from there. maybe remove some plastic at your steering column, there'll be a loose connection where your turn signal and horn are, I imagine. maybe your "start" wire there too. (come to think of it, that might be a good place to start)

 

The lights go on as does everything else but when you turn the key to start nothing. No sounds at all. The lights don't dim, nothing happens at all. That's why I was thinking it could be wiring. The problem started before changing out the starter (which was one of the reasons I did it) and it hasn't gotten better or worse since. I'll check all the connections when I get home though, maybe it is that simple. One of the reason's I told the guy who bought it to take it to a shop to get it fixed was so that they could check all the wiring in the steering whell at the same time, I figured they'd have more success than I would trying to locate the problem and fix it permentatly since wiring has never been my strong point. I appreciate all your help!!! I'll let you know what happens

 

Maybe an ignition module or something.Check your distributor

 

If you have an auto tranny the neutral safety switch might be the problem.Try wiggling the shifter while holding the key in the "start" position.

If it's a standard tranny, the clutch switch might be the problem. Try moving the clutch pedal while holding the key to the "start" position.