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89 Firebird L03 5.0 won't start.

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Old Mar 3, 2015 | 01:04 PM
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Car: 1987 IROC Original Owner
Engine: LB9
Transmission: M39 MM5
Axle/Gears: G80 G92 J65
89 Firebird L03 5.0 won't start.

It has juice, volts/amps are good, turn key to the on position you can hear the fuel pump come on but when you turn it to start position it's dead silent.

I started it twice this morning to move it into a clear spot in the barn & when I went to move it back - nothing!

Where should I start?

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Old Mar 3, 2015 | 03:30 PM
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
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Re: 89 Firebird L03 5.0 won't start.

Is the security light staying on? Could be the VATS. With no security light it could be fuseable links near the battery, the starter relay, which is less likely or the starter itself which is slightly more likely.
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Old Mar 4, 2015 | 07:25 AM
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From: Newtown, CT
Car: 1987 IROC Original Owner
Engine: LB9
Transmission: M39 MM5
Axle/Gears: G80 G92 J65
Re: 89 Firebird L03 5.0 won't start.

I don't think so but I'll check. Thanks.
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Old Mar 4, 2015 | 07:34 AM
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Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 89 Firebird L03 5.0 won't start.

Morning, Just a thought, neutral switch on shifter console. Did you try putting in neutral and try it?
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Old Mar 4, 2015 | 08:58 AM
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From: Newtown, CT
Car: 1987 IROC Original Owner
Engine: LB9
Transmission: M39 MM5
Axle/Gears: G80 G92 J65
Re: 89 Firebird L03 5.0 won't start.

Ahead of ya there Bob - AAA will be picking it up in a few minutes to drop at my mechanic in town - I'll be following on the way to my doctor's appointment - there is now way I'm working on a car today - feel like ****!
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Old Mar 4, 2015 | 09:05 AM
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Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 89 Firebird L03 5.0 won't start.

Sorry to hear that. He'll figure it out!

Get well!
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Old Mar 4, 2015 | 03:48 PM
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From: Newtown, CT
Car: 1987 IROC Original Owner
Engine: LB9
Transmission: M39 MM5
Axle/Gears: G80 G92 J65
Re: 89 Firebird L03 5.0 won't start.

Starter - $200 got me a new one installed.

On the trailer & back in the barn - that was easy.

Cool thing is I was able to get a good look underneath. You can tell a lot about the way a car was cared for by the way the bottom looks. NICE!
Attached Thumbnails 89 Firebird L03 5.0 won't start.-img_5471-960x1280-.jpg   89 Firebird L03 5.0 won't start.-img_5472-960x1280-.jpg  

Last edited by PurelyPMD; Mar 4, 2015 at 03:54 PM.
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Old Mar 4, 2015 | 04:17 PM
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From: Huntsville AL
Car: 88GTA
Engine: 5.7TPI
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 89 Firebird L03 5.0 won't start.

Originally Posted by PurelyPMD
Starter - $200 got me a new one installed.

On the trailer & back in the barn - that was easy.

Cool thing is I was able to get a good look underneath. You can tell a lot about the way a car was cared for by the way the bottom looks. NICE!
. Cool! Glad ya got it fixed! Looks clean!!!! What......no undercoating?!?!
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Old Mar 4, 2015 | 04:33 PM
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From: Newtown, CT
Car: 1987 IROC Original Owner
Engine: LB9
Transmission: M39 MM5
Axle/Gears: G80 G92 J65
Re: 89 Firebird L03 5.0 won't start.

Originally Posted by Bob88GTA
. Cool! Glad ya got it fixed! Looks clean!!!! What......no undercoating?!?!
Nope, yours got all of it.

I was surprised myself - factory over-spray over the under-body paint. Shadows & misses intact.
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Old Mar 4, 2015 | 04:46 PM
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From: Huntsville AL
Car: 88GTA
Engine: 5.7TPI
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 89 Firebird L03 5.0 won't start.

Originally Posted by PurelyPMD
Nope, yours got all of it.

I was surprised myself - factory over-spray over the under-body paint. Shadows & misses intact.
"Nope, yours got all of it."
I sure did! No rust though. We're gonna take care of that engine bay for sure!
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