So my daily driver (all stock 86 305 tpi iroc) has had a few problems lately. They first started when I tightened the steering column. Right after I tightened the column, the door buzzer does NOT come on when I open the door. While I was in there I fixed the horn, it had been hooked to a toggle, reason being when the key is inserted it grounds and honks. Lol. I wedged some electrical tape between. Need to again though. Here's where I get thrown for a poop... One day I turned my key, fuel pump primes, all accessories come on as intended, turn the key to "start" position, everything dies like when the engine usually cranks, but it won't turn over. Battery is perfect (tested) and alt is brand new, charging perfectly. So after doing some reading. I wired the starter wire to a temporary alligator clamp, and touched it to the battery, and it started right up when ignition is on. This method has been how I have had to start my camaro for a good 2 weeks. Randomly one day it cut off on me as I was driving , but I was able to coast an park, walked into work, when I came back out, It stArted right up... Did that again a couple days later. But would not restart. And now, I turn the ignition on, and connect the wire for a bit. And it only turns over, and will not fire up. Sprayed starter fluid in the intake, no ignition whatsoever. So I know there is no spark. I am leaing towards it being the ignition swith given there are other problems with it... Or could it be something to do with the distributor? Hhmmmm? Haha, either way, I'm stuck from being able to drive myself... Input will be appreciated muchly... thanks everyone!

 

Sounds like you distrurbed something at the ignition switch wich slowly killed your ignition module. Did you notice your tach "jumping" at some point ?

 

My original tach was pegged almost all the time. So I bought another one. It works fine. Just always slow. Like when it shifts, the tach takes a little bit to go down. Not snappy like it should be.

 

I would change the ignition module 1st, if it starts, check your wires at the column switch along with the under dash ground and the block to chassis braided ground, if everything checks out, I would change the switch. You can get the module checked at autozone, but sometimes they check good when cold and then malfunction when they heat up. Mine did the same thing (shutting off) and it was the module.

 

I'll have to do that... What is it exactly you're saying about if everything checks out, THEN replace? I don't think I follow you "if it works to replace" is what I gather. Or you saying if it starts from under the hood to change the ignition switch? I know it needs to be replaced... Lol, guess I better do that and the ignition coil.... Poo... Thanks man

 

This is the way I would do it 1) change ignition module in dizzy-should get you going. 2)check your wiring-or you can check your wiring 1st-if wiring is good, change the ignition switch on the column. Your Welcome

 

Ok. Sounds like a plan... I just haven't had any time to even open the hood since it died. And I do appreciate your helpfull responses, and will try to get back on here with how things work out

 

Ok, so I changed the icm. No change. I did however discover that I can crank the car from the inside by wiggling the auto shifter... So that is another thing I'll need to fix. I pulled a spark plug and cranked it some. No spark. Even when trying to ground it to the exhaust and other things. Lol. Sound like the ignition switch? I took a pic of under the dash, where it LOOKED like there should have been something plugged in, but I'm not sure.. Idk how its supposed to be. I'm on my phone, Idk how to put pics up from here... But that's what's going on so far

 

I just had the ignition switch replaced in my T/A and when it went bad the car just wouldnt crank at all most of the time. when it did though the car would start and run no problem. just my experience.

 

Try testing your coil.

 

What did you 'tighten'? Column pulled apart?

Sounds most likely to me, if this problem started right after. Might have mal-adjusted ign switch rod, switch moved on column, switch connector half out etc if the column was dismantled.

 

The coil looks very new, I'm pretty sure it no more then 2 years old, if memory serves correctly. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...-steering.html is what I followed, my next thing is I guess go back into the column and see if things are askew?

 

Couple updates: I changed the ignition switch. Still does the same thing. Turn the key, radio dies (Like normal) and the temp gauge pegs out. But no crank. Tried wiggling the auto shifter but nothing. I would like to say I have a steering column from a firebird. Not sure what year, but the Column came with a chipped key. 1986 tpi. So I'm pretty sure it didn't come with VATS. I changed the neutral safety switch, may need to adjust it I suppose. But I tried cranking it from under the hood by wiring the starter to the battery as I have been doing, it just turns over. I will check the coil when I get a chance, hopefully tomorrow.. its just been giving me a fit. Lol, any other suggestions or inclinations? Or do I need to test the coil.before I move on?

 

check the ground wires. especially the big ground coming from the battery that attaches to the block. oh and try using a battery with higher cranking amps to jump the car.

 

The battery is fine. It is turning the engine over without a problem. Just won't fire. The bat it less then 2 months old

 

Couple updates for today. Got the car to be able to crank from inside. That was a combination of mis adjusted ignition switch AND/OR nss... Still no fire though... Tried to test the coil in the cap by how the book says. Not really sure what I'm looking for there though. Haha. Kinda frustrating, but at the same time I have so much out of the way. I'll use more starting fluid when I put it back together... Just to rule out spark again.... Thanks everyone for your input so far, and even more so if you have extra!

 

Got the iroc fired up! It was apparently the coil... Haha, nice to hear my v8 ( 5 liter ) again1
! Also went ahead and put my ls1 dual fans down in there. Should help a lot instead of having my single electric.

 

Well, took it for a test drive. Ran good, but it just cut off on me. Felt like I still had power steering (not sure. Was driving over 40 mph). It cranks and everything. Just won't fire up again.....

 

A side note; as soon as I started it up for the first time the tach now reads about 2 times higher then it should. I know they go bad, but I just got this one a few months ago

 

For anyone's benefit, got it running. And tach is now accurate again.
It was the ground "strap" on the coil.