ok guys im just about ready to give up and take her to a mechanic but before i do that im going to give it one more shot!My 1990 IROC Z, (305 TPI) is giving me some problems. i go to turn her on and the instrument panel turns on but i get nothing from the starter? i know the starter is good, so what should i check? i hear the gas pump prime for a couple seconds and a click in the vacuum. also the security light on the panel remains on...does this mean anything? but no starter? please help me and be as specific as possible as to what to check and where it is located please thankyou guys so much!

 

I say it is either a fusable link or something to do with vats. Did you check your starter enabler relay?

 

Have you checked the battery? It's probably the VATS like everyone says,
but better start with the basics.....

 

does the security light come on when you try to start? if not, then the fine wire that goes to the lock cylinder are most likely broke. you can bypass it by mesuring the resistance on the key (black pelet) and soldering a resister (within 10% resistance of the key) onto the wires that go to the plug (small plug with white wires wraped in orange cover), but be sure to solder onto the car side of the harness and unplug the steering column side.

good luck

 

I would suspect the VATS, my 91 Z28 does the same thing and it will take a few R&R of the key to get it to start. I've just been too lazy to fix the key or bypass the system. Try R&Ring the key and see if anything changes.

 

where is this relay at? on the starter? someone told me to check the ignition switch? does anyone know where it is? or also the neutral safety switch but i dont know where neither of these switches are nor the starter relay? any help? so i can check them?

 

Maybe this will help... Actually, I forget where it is... lol

 

your starter enabler relay is behind the left(drivers side) kick panel. there is a fat green wire and there is a fat yellow wire. put a fused jumper between these two terminals.

move your collum if it is tilt up and down the broken wires in the collumn may make contact so have the key forward when you move the collumn.

I think I told you to buy the helms manual. I has all the diagnostic info you need. You could take the whole car apart and put it back together with it. All you need is the ability to read and comprehend.

Do not take it personally I tell everyone "HELMS MANUAL"!!!

 

have you checked the starter wiring?


take a test light and hook it up to the small wire( purple i think) and have someone try to start the car. with the key in the start position the light should light up ( If it does needs a new starter) If it don't start checking the VATs and or starter relay. Also have you checked the fuses? i know there is a fuse labeled crank and VATS check those also.


Also check where the loctaion of that Small wire is mounted on the starter. It should be located on the pin closetest to the engine block.

and hell for ****s and giggles hook a hot wire up to the small wire and put power on it and it should turn the motor over.

 

I tell you what grab the easy button and press it because we gave you all types of good advise each time and it is going to take more than just replacing a vaccumn hose.

Maybe you need to take it to a mechanic and let the people you are really trying to fix there cars have the space.

did you just want to sound good when you went to talk to the mechanic?

 

thanks for all your help... heres whats new. well the car still wont start, i replaced the neutral safety switch, and also connected a resistor in between the two cables for the vats system and it works because the security light goes of when i turn the key. the problem still remains though....no cranking at the starter? what else should i check?

 

you need to start checking w/ a test light and follow the wire to the starter. You need to see where you have power and where you don't.

 

try this.........