Hello All,

This has been an ongoing problem since I bought my car three years ago and it seems to come and go. I'm going to finally track it down and fix it for good, but I need some help if you can offer it as far as where to start.

I have a 1988 GTA Trans Am with the old problem of turning the key and nothing happens!

The car does have the VATs of course, but I'm just not sure what if that might be the problem.

This problem started (or didn't!) shortly after I purchased the car, and then the starter went out and we replaced it. After that, the problem seemed to go away for the most part (about a year I'd say), but in December this last year it started again. Since then, it happens about every fourth or fifth start. At first I waited out the 5 minute system reset and the car would usually fire right up again.

A few weeks ago I dug around under the dash to see if there were any loose connections. I didn't feel any, but I did tighten all the connections up and bundled some of the stray wires up with others again.

Ahh! Success I thought! It went three weeks without giving me fits! But then yesterday, it caught the bug again and wouldn't start. It seemed to be more stubborn this time too because waiting out the five minutes didn't work the first three times!

I checked the wires again under the dash and also popped the hood. Jiggled the battery cables, tried to find and straighten/de-gunk all the leads to the engine and traced most of the wires I could get to and checked for frays or splits, etc.

Car fired up after this, but since I did so much in one shot, I still can't put my finger on it. Very frustrating!

Is there any sure fire test for knowing what might be the cause? Before I start spending a ton of money to replace this, that and everything else, I'd like to have an idea of where to begin. I don't think it's heat soak because the problem started in the winter time and comes and goes too often. The starter I put in was a Delco heavy duty, so it's not a crappy aftermarket one from Kragen (Schuck's out here).

I'm just really stumped and it bums out my whole day when the damn thing does this to me. Can anyone offer some help?

Thank you!
Chris
1988 GTA/ 1979 10th Anniversary Trans Am

 

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I too have this problem and i replaced the battery, battery terminals, and tried jiggling the battery wires. This condition also is like mine the car works fine for a little while then acts up and makes me want to stick dynamite and blow the F*&^W#% UP..

 

Bad solenoid on the starter? VATS? Watch your security light after you turn the key to ON, (but before you hit start). If it stays on.... VATS. If it never comes on.... VATS.