O.k.. here's the deal. Like two weeks ago my car wouldn't start, I'd turn the key to the start position and nothing. So I replaced the ignition switch, and it started right up. A few days later, it started doing it again. It seems to do this at randoms times, so I'm thinking it's not heat soak. I just replaced the starter and solinoid, and all the wiring to the starter from the battery is good, as are all the connections. I'm gonna check the alignment of the new ignition switch tonight, but is there anything else I should be looking for? I've not been driving it cause I'm afraid I'm gonna have to push start it again (already done that about 5 times this week). Thanks, Joe

 

Did you check the starter relay, it's in the left kick panel down by your feet.

 

I hadn't looked for that, because everybody I talked to said that there was no starter relay (even the chevy dealer). Do you have a part number? Also mine is an 88, so it may not have been in that model year or whatever. I picked up a new starter solenoid cause my dad said that he thought it might be bad. And after I called autozone and they said, "there's no warranty on it, and it's more than thirty days (even thought the guy I talked to said he couldn't look up when I bought it), so you'll just have to buy a new one" I started to think that maybe the parts they sold me aren't the greatest.

 

see if you have power at the statered on all terminals with the someone holding the key in starting mood, if you do then you know the starter is junk. I would get the life time warrenty duralast starter that Autozone sells. YES there is a relay

 

Always go for the the lifetime warranty stuff.
And honest, ya shoulda replaced the starter & solenoid as a unit, too.
Re-Stereo & going deaf.
I am hearing impaired & it ain't worth it.
Sucks cause it's cool way to have a hearing problem. But, I'm paying for it now.
Try 6 story tall towers of speakers
At concerts in the 70's! I was too close.
Open headers at Drag races...
Gotta hear the engine to tune it right.....?
IF all your connections are factory original, something is "crossed" somewhere.
My car was hit in front nose, before I bought it.
I had crossed wires in front end, for years! & until recently found, caused me lots of problems.
Problem was always never every time, but enough to make ya wanna sell the car.
Course it would happen as you demo the car for the next purchaser, too!

 

I've checked all the factory wiring, and it all seems fine. I haven't checked out all the wiring for my alarm though (viper 300 series) and it's got an ignition kill, so that may be a possiblity, although everything seems to be functioning fine on it.

As for the going deaf from the stereo thing, it's more of a joke than anything. I figured it was better just to put something like that rather than list all the components like a lot of people do. I actually was a music major for a while, so I definently am watchful of the levels.

I just replaced the starter and solenoid literally a month ago, so do you think I'd be o.k. to replace just the solenoid? I think the starter has a warranty on it, although I thought the solenoid did too, so I should check that out tomorrow.

 

Usualy the starter is a complete unit warranty.
IF NOT bitch louder!!!!
Music major-Jazz? Classical?
Damaged hearing sucks.
The viper is probably the cause.
Disable it & I'll bet problem goes away.

 

I am still having that problem, had it for like a year. @ new starters with new solenoids. New ignition switch. I am interested in knowing if there is a starter relay in my 91 bird(3.1) When it happens, i turn the key and get nothing. I few more turns and it will fire right up?

 

I wonder if it's the VATS system... did they have that in '88? I thought it started in '89. VATS would be present on the '91 car. Search the tech forum for VATS and see what pops up! There's even a tech article about it in thirdgen.org's tech section.

 

First off, Karl, I was studying to become a recording engineer so I could work in some big LA studio. Only problem was the school I went to told me that had all these connections in the industry, and once I started going to class they said, oh yeah, you have to intern for like 4 or 5 years (never touching any recording equipment during this time) before you can become a 3rd engineer. So I moved back to CA to regather and decide what I want to do with my life.

O.k., my car doesn't have VATS, but I'm gonna test the signal at the solenoid to see if it's getting through or not. I'm not really worried about it if it is the solenoid though, cause I picked on up with a 2 year warranty for $10 at Kragen. I figure, the way I drive, I probably won't be able to keep the same engine for another 2 years.