Hey so i got a big problem.

My 89' Firebird with a V6 engine and an automatic transmission wont start/ even crank. I already checked a few things:

- I Checked the Neutral safety switch with a multimeter

- I put a Cable from the battery directly to the starter terminal (S) and it does crank

The cable should go directly to the starter solenoid after passing through the neutral safety switch and the ignition switch and then start the Car normally.


What i havent / couldnt check was the ignition switch, because i cant find the cable wich is coming from the battery to the ignition switch and then to the Neutral safety switch.


I Also recetnly replaced the 02 sensor because the other one was literally split up and the ceramic was broken off. dont know what the previous owner did with that. since that it has been idling at 1500 RPM, twice the normal rpm. then it didnt want to start overnight. So it could also be the ECM or something refusing to start the car because it has old values from the faulty sensor but i dont really know.


Anyways i could need some serious help with this issue.

 

Can't give you any "serious help"; I'll try for some humorous help instead.

Kinda odd. It's more or less right out in the open. Plugs into the ign sw in 2 places; each one works different functions of the switch. That means, the Start, Ign, & Acc terminals. Eeeeeezzzzzy enough to figure out though; just look at the switch. It has 2 connectors each with a red wire (batt) in it. The one you're mostly concerned with is the one with the big fat yellow (Start) wire also in it.

While your assistant turns the key to start the car, check for 12V on both red wires' terminals, and 12V on the yellow wire's terminal. Make sure you do this WHILE YOUR ASSISTANT IS TUIRNING THE KEY TO START THE CAR. A "test" while the key is NOT turned isn't a test; it's just a waste of time.

It would also be helpful to know what else in the car is/isn't working. Check EVERYTHING; radio & HVAC (fan) when the key is On, lights (head, tail, parking, brake, turn signals, interior, etc.), power seats/windows/mirrors etc., and so on.

No. The ECM isn't involved in cranking.

No. See the above. Once the car cranks and starts, which it should do REGARDLESS of "sen-sores" or whatever else, "old values" can sometimes cause a runs-like-crap problem temporarily, butt CANNOT cause a no-crank in ANY manner way shape form or fashion.

Put all the "ECM" type crap out of your head and concentrate on the starter solenoid circuit.

 

You have omitted mentioning one important detail.....

It's called "VATS"

 

My car doesnt have VATS, so its not that

 

Alright. Can you check the wires in the engine bay or do you need to dissasemble your steering collum? I dont want to do work thats not necessary

 

positive on that comment ??

 

Yup. The seller gave me 2 keys. One with chip one without. The one with chip doesnt fit. The one without does and it started fine before it didnt. So maybe he switched out the old ignition lock cylinder. But as i said it started fine before without the chip

 

I’d check for the starter enable relay and half *** resister bypass under the dash .89 2.8L has vats so probably a older column or tumbler.