I apologize ahead of time, as I am sure this has been a topic in the past. However, I would like current, up to date help.

I have an 89 Camaro RS 305 TBI. I just bought this by owner about 1.5 weeks ago.

I was driving and suddenly it seemed as though it wasn't getting enough fuel and died. I though I had popped the clutch, but there was not *jerking involved. After feeling stupid that I may have popped the clutch, I go to turn the ignition and nothing happens. No turning over/cranking/etc. All power works. I even tried rolling start in 1st and 2nd geared....no bueno.

This is the second time I've had this problem. The first time was the same story pretty much. I was driving in reverse...same thing happened...would not start when attempted. All electric worked. (did not attempt rolling start on this one)

I have been reading a lot of sites, and have gathered that it may be a VATS failure? If so, I can simply bypass. Or could I possibly install a new ignition lock cylinder. My question is, can I install a new ignition lock cylinder without the VATS? And are there any 'how-to's' as I have never attempted this before.
p.s. I have owned imports all my life, this is the first American Muscle, so I am very new to it all.

Any help would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks,
Nate

 

Any more info needed please ask. I'm new to American muscle and this forum.

 

Any input if I can install a vatless ignition lock cylinder on a vats sys. And if there is a how to somewhere. I really would like to get my Camaro up and running again.
Thanks

 

If it is a vats, it would prevent it from starting, not running. Basically the VATS system reads the resistor in your key as you turn the ignition on and allows the fuel pump to turn on. It doesn't sound to me like it is a VATS issue, but rather something to do with the injectors getting enough fuel. If you have to bypass the VATS, this is what you want to read.

https://www.thirdgen.org/vats_passkey_system

 

Thanks, I appreciate the info. The camaro does not start, and hasn't for 2 days since this happened.
None the less, I am going to try and get it towed to a shop. Unfortunately I have no other way than to pay more than necessary for a tow truck.

 

If you towing covered by insurance, do it that way. I have three free tows per year. I used all three to get my car to and from a "reputable" shop.

I also had to bypass my VATS, and I have a resistor plugged directly into that orange wire and it works fine.

 

Thanks again. I went ahead and paid for a tow, $80 dollars out of the pocket so far. The shop I took it to was only around the corner, just barely a mile away. The shop actually offers free towing, but as I am on a military base, they said they couldn't do it. Oh well, the shop will check it out and get back to me, Keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best for me!

In the meantime, I hope to get more active on the forum. I need to become more familiar with my 305. I've moved on from imports and need to know what I'm dealing with here. Any recommendations as far as getting to know whats under the hood of my new toy?

 

if it doesnt crank over then it could be a vats issue if it does then its not a vats issue. im sure the shop will fix her up for ya. and if you end up needing a new ignition lock cylinder insist on a factory one. thier not that much more but the quality is way better.

 

*Noted

Definitely not cranking...All electrical works. Dead silent when I turn the Key. Thanks for the Reply.

 

No problem. It could be other things. If I saw this sooner I would have told you to go under the hood and jump two wires, if it then starts. it was deffinately a vats problem. But since its at the shop now I cant

 

Just wanted to update the status.

Got camaro back today. Very unpleasant experience with the shop, but I wont get into that now.

Camaro is up and running. The mechanic told me he installed a new ignition switch and fuzible links. He said he didnt know what caused them to go bad. The only reason he replaced the switch was because it started smoking when he tried to turn it on.
After Paying, I go to start my car.

Turn the key, nothing happens...just like before. Go in and tell them whats up. Tech comes out and turns it right on. Turns out the problem was that the steering column was loose and you have to push down and to the right to re align the ignition.

So this has got me thinking that there was never anything that needed fixing, and this shop is full of crooks.

Im curious as to how he got to the point the car would actually turn over so that the switch could smoke as it supposedly did. Cause when I had it, it was a very large piece of scrap metal. SO if youre not understanding, i gave him a car that wouldnt turn over, now it magically turns over and the ignition switch blows, then he changes it and now i have to push my steering wheel down to start it. I think thats probably all Id have to have done to begin with. and would have saved me 500 dollars..

 

Not starting again. Super frustrated. Ignition switch was smoking or something was after it died. Help!

 

where exactly was the smoke coming from? is the motor turning over? i know it can be frustrating, try to be patient and hopefully we can help you work this out.

 

No, motor is not turning over. The smoke was gone by the time i popped the hood, but it was coming from the corner of the hood closest to the passenger seat.