Hi Guys
Out riding around today stop at the store to get a cold drink got back and in my to start it and nothing . when I turn the key it does nothing at all. all lights and everything else comes on Its a Auto I checked the battery. Starter was real hot I let it cool down still nothing It has the Vats system the security light go' s when I have the key on. .??? 88 Trans Am GTA. what should I be looking for ????
Thanks

 

First see if there is battery power going to the starter. If that's there, check the power to the starter solenoid. If the solenoid has no power, the VATS, starter relay, neutral safety switch and ignition switch are all possible suspects. If the starter solenoid has power, you need a starter. That's the most likely suspect.

 

checked starter has power and pulled starter its good. where is the nss located at??? has power at the solenoid

 

It has power to the purple wire on the solenoid when the key is turned? Or just from the battery? The nss is on the shifter for an automatic and under the clutch pedal on a manual The starter relay is normally behind the d/s kick panel.

 

Yes power purple wire when key turned on. so do I need to remove console for the nss. and the starter relay is next to the fuse panel?

 

Power to the purple wire and key on means the nss, vats etc is working. There's power to the main stud of the starter...then the starter is bad. Long shot of the starter being improperly grounded to the block but that's super unlikely.

 

I pulled the starter and had it tested and it was good. re installed and still nothing. bad relay?

 

Not likely. Power to the purple solenoid wire is past the relay. You can test it on the car. Make sure it's safely lifted and jumper power from the main terminal to the purple. If it cranks you've gotta a wire problem. If not, you need a starter. I've bench tested ones good that still won't crank an engine.

 

Ok I will try that. if I have the key on it should start right??

 

Never done that to start a third gen. I would imagine it would start. Personally just to test the starter, I would disconnect the purple wire and then jumper it.

 

UPDATE Just went out about a hour ago and it started right up. drove it around, went back home shut it off and on about dozen with no issues. what the hell man ????.

 

Random starter freak out? My guess is it will happen again but it's hard to troubleshoot when it works.