So, long story short, I was driving home the other night and something in my clutch broke loose. The pedal hung freely but still worked if I jammed it to the ground. When I got home I looked under the dash to find the retaining clip holding the pushrod to the clutch pedal had broke. I fixed that, but the car refuses to start still. I turn the key and nothing happens as if I'm not holding the clutch in at all. No sounds or anything. I tested the neutral safety switch and fuses with a DMM and it all seemed to be okay. Nothing else appears to be broken. The pushrod and clutch assembly seem to be in-tact.

What am I missing? I'm a newbie when it comes to clutch problems. Any help would be appreciated. No suggestion is a dumb one, so give me what ya got!

 

You say you checked the neutral switch, did you check the clutch switch at the pedal?
Reason I'm say'n is your pedal started the issus with the rod, it may (Switch)need re-adjusted or something

 

Again, I apologize for being a newbie here so forgive me if I'm incorrect. The plastic housing with the switch that must be released when the clutch is pressed. That is the clutch switch? If so, yes that is good. There is a plug next to it which I believe is the neutral safety switch, it has a larger purple and yellow wire coming from it. That is also good.

 

Does the dash lights and all come on when the ignition is turn to ON
Got any lights?
Check fuses? Fuse block (IGN)
Battery terminals good?
Fuses at battery?

Check ignition switch on bottom of Steering Column; may have gone south when you "jammed it to the ground" (the clutch)

 

All dash lights come on.
Fuses are all good.
Battery terminals good.
Ignition switch seems to be in good shape.

 

Power to starter solenoid/starter? Heck, running outta suggestions.........anybody else out there????

 

I would hope so. It's a brand new starter. Usually you would hear a click of some sorts if the starter was bad. I'm getting no sounds at all.

 

Sounds like electrical. I would test both switches to make sure they are working. Im sure you could search this site and find out how. Also check vats sysyem. The switch may appear to be working get a meter and start testing.

 

I will go test those two switches momentarily. On a side note, I found this in my console. Any idea where it's supposed to be? I found it disconnected and the yellow and purple wires look like the ones going to the NSS under the dash. I don't see anywhere where it should be connected at.

 

 

More

 

And the last one. Enjoy

 

Another thing I just noticed while testing, on this connector (which I believe is the NSS from what I can tell) the purple wire is getting nothing when testing with a DMM, the yellow gets only 3.3V or so when the key is turned. Is this normal?

 

And BTW, VATS was introduced in 1986 for the Vette, and then in 88 for Camaros/Firebirds

So........if stock 85, VATS ain't your problem.

 

Hey guys, thanks for all the help. I did get it to run again, sorry I'm just now replying. It was the clutch switch. The adjustment arm slid back a couple notches when the clutch pedal broke loose so the clutch wasn't actually engaging when being pressed. It's the little things I overlook :P

 

"Que the "Twilight Zone" music

Glad to hear that!