I just got off work and put the key in the ignition. NADA. The engine did'nt even turn over. The starter did'nt even make a sound at all.. I checked the fuses the first thing and they all looked good. When the key was turned to the RUN position all the gauge lights came on and showed a good charge on the battery and the fuel pump kicked in. I'm thinking it might be the key cylinder switch. I was wanting to short the "S" terminal on the starter to ground to see if it started turning the flywheel. but I was running out of daylight. If I short it and the engine turns over, prob the key switch. If the starter does'nt do anything after I ground it , then maybe bad starter. Anyone ever have this problem? Any advice?

Ken

 

You could have a bad ignition switch, a bad relay or a bad starter selinoid.
To determine what, you need to break out a multimeter and trace wires.

 

doesn't the vats cut out the starter on them later cars?

 

.....yup.......ask me how I know

 

When you say ign. switch...do you mean where the key goes into or a switch located somewhere else other than the steering column? How much of a pain to replace the key cylinder switch if thats it?

Ken

 

I just had the same problem and for me it was the skirts or something inside the starter. They were completely worn out. I didnt even get a click sound or anything when I turned the key in mine so mybe the same for you?

 

Just get a new starter. Silenoid is bad and you can get them just as cheap with a lt warranty from AZ.

 

I kinda have this problem with my car, but my problem is the computer thing on the key. 90% of the time it will start right up, but the other 10% it won't do anything when I turn the key. Adjusting the steering wheel seems to make it work if I have the problem. I don't see how that works, but it does lol.

 

there are 2 wires leading to teh key lock cylinder. sounds like you either :

a) take it apart & try to fix

b) take it apart & replace keylock cylinder

 

or have a chip burned removing the VATS.

 

some of us have parts that don't require a chip burned

but then , some of us don't have a need for them any more either :/

 

So you don't need the chip on your key?