Ive got a 305 tpi engine. Put the key in the ignition, and turn it and nothing, not even a click. Here's the things I have checked, or replaced that might affect the condition of the car starting.

-Starter is new
-Battery is fully charged, and new
-Fuel Pump turns on when key is turned
-ECM is plugged in
-Red theft light isn't on
-Key is correct
-All plugs are plugged in
-In Park
-Engine turns over by hand
-Old starter DID turn engine over when the terminals where crossed
-Tried to start in neutral and park

Symptoms /other factors
-Check engine light is on
-No click
-Starter does't turn on when key is turned
-themostat gauge moves all the way up when key is turned
-AC removed
-Heat removed
-Air system removed
-Stereo removed
-Washer tank removed

Have some ideas that it might be electrical or the ECM.

Would like any feedback or symptoms possible. Want to get this car running but nothing seems to work whatsoever.

Thank you.

 

NSS (neutral safety switch) would be my guess

 

Alright. What does it do? And how do I check it? I have a multimeter. I almost thought ignition relay, but I'm not sure, and I'm not electronically skilled. Just basic knowledge

Thank you Night Rider..

 

The NSS with an auto trans is at your shifter, and it it keeps the starter from powering up unless shifter is in P or N.

I can't remember the color of the wires off hand, but a wire goes from fuse box to NSS, then from NSS to starter's small post (S) terminal.

The NSS breaks or makes the connection of 12 volts to the S term on starter.

Check voltage in and out of the NSS

 

Thank you. So check for voltage and if nothing comes back on the multi, then it's dead. Got it.

 

So, checked it and I couldn't get a reading off of it. But I didn't know which wires to check. I think a purple and a green or yellow of same gauge. But there's a box under the dash by the hood latch, and it's got a small lever on it with wire coiling. I pushed the lever and turned the key and the starter activated and turned the engine over. But I haven't been able to do anything else because I had to leave for work. Starter activation relay?

 

Hmmm, that don't sound stock to me. I have not done a '89 but I have restored an 88, two 84's and owned a few others and I just can't remember seeing anything like that on any of mine

 

Alright, I've tried to insert a picture of it on here from somewhere else. It looks very close to the picture, except the black vats wire is green on mine. I thought it was called starter enable relay. Not really sure what im getting myself into.

 

Found the wiring diagram for it.

 

Okay, so huge victory for me and the car today. It started. Now, I've still got a few demons to work with. It didn't want to idle. At all. I had to give it gas and it would idle choppy at about 1,500 rpm and then shoot immediately up to 4,000 rpm, go back to 1,500 and 4 seconds later, go back to 4,000. It WILL DIE if I take my foot off the pedal.

Here's what I've had replaced or ruled out.
-TPS
-Injectors
-Fuel pressure is at 44psi
-It DOES have fuel
-New Spark plugs (Correct)
-New Wires
-New Distributor cap
-New Rotor
-In time
-Cleaned throttle body

Can you guys tell me what you suspect is my gremlin? Ask any questions or if you need pictures I can do that too.

 

Guys?

 

Mine is doing the same thing 88 Gta. that black box must be something someone else put in mine does not have that. Stump right now ???

 

I had this once forgot the grown wire from the block. The cluster would come on but did not start

 

Well, Randy, the wiring diagram I posted with the starter enable relay is for year 89, so I'm assuming something changed in production unless you have spliced wires from a previous owner bypassing it. My cars grounded twice, besides, it just started.

 

Any suggestions guys? I really don't wanna start another thread.

 

Try this it might sound dumb but try. Take a lamp or some kind of light an ground it then take the other wire an hook it to your starter power wire then turn the key if you have power the light should come on.

Or I did this on my Honda an it worked take a screw driver an cross the wires the starter should ingage.

 

Load test battery has 11.7 with all the lights on. On starter test at purple wire with key on it's at 7.8

 

So randy, is yours not starting or running rough? Does it crank?

 

Some help would be cool if you guys know anything? I have today off after school and would like to get back out there to check some stuff.

 

For some reason when I went out today it started right up. beats me

 

Intermittent vats?