Sometimes when I go to start my Camaro (about once a week, but lately it's been getting worse) it will crank but it will not catch. However, if I push-start it it fires up every time without a problem. I already bypassed the clutch switch but it did absolutely nothing. I can also hear the fuel pump kick on when I turn the key to "on" and pressure has been checked. Any ideas?

91 Camaro
RS with a 350 TBI

 

Update: I just replaced the ignition coil. Still won't start.

 

Could you explain what you mean by catching.

 

The clutch switch will cause a "no crank" condition but not a "cranks but won't start". Many things can cause an engine to be difficult to start. How is your engine's tune(plugs, wires, cap and rotor)? The next time it won't start, verify that the injectors are firing by lifting the air cleaner lid and watching the injectors while a helper cranks the engine. You say you bypassed the clutch switch. Did the car not crank sometimes before you did this? You may have an intermittent VATS(vehicle anti-theft system) issue.

 

We are not getting any spark from the ignition coil to the distributor cap.

 

After installing a crate 350, we did have an issue getting the engine to crank. Ultimately, bypassing the clutch switch did help with that problem. If there is an intermittent VATS issue, is there a way to just bypass the VATS all together? Or does the VATS just have to be replaced and reprogrammed?

 

The VATS prevents engine start by way of the start enable relay and fuel enable. It will not prevent spark from the coil. You need to verify the cause of the no spark. Use a 12v test light to probe, first at the pink wire(may be red) while cranking to verify power. The light should be bright and fairly steady. Then, probe the white wire while cranking. The light should flash at the white wire. If no light at the white but light at the pink, the coil is open and needs to be replaced. If light but no flash at the white, the ignition primary is not producing a signal. The ignition primary includes the ignition module and the pick up coil. Both are common failure items but can also be tested. The module can be tested at many parts stores. Even if it tests okay don't rule it out as a possible problem. The pick up coil can be tested with an ohmmeter. It should read between 800 & 1000 ohms. Of course verify all connections are okay.

 

Fixed the problem.S tarts up every time now. Thanks for the advice. Definitely helped