My son stopped to get gas and then the car wouldn't crank over. The "security" light does not light up on the dash when the key is turned. I'm thinking it's something to do with vats but I'm not sure at this time. Is there an easy way to disable vats ? Everything else works when the key is turned to the run position.

 

I think even with vats the car will still crank but the injectors won't fire.How is the ignition switch?Do you have power to the starter?

 

Does it restart after it cools down? If so, ignition module or the funny starter heat soak phenomenon, as people call it. Both are very common occurances.

 

It is possible that he has a broken wire inside the steering column to the lock cylinder from the VATS control module.

 

I took a starter up to where it broke down but I forgot to take a socket wrench set with me. It's too hard to pull the starter bolts with a box end wrench. The engine and starter were both cool. It puzzles me about the "Security" light not coming on when the key is on. He had driven it about four blocks to get gas. Below is a list of what has been replaced under the hood in the last two months:

Timming chain and gears
Water pump
Belt tensioner pulley
Injectors
Fuel pressure regulator
Complete distibutor
Cap and rotor
Plugs and wires
Coil
Ignition module
Ignition module four prong pigtail (plugs into module)
ECM - direct from Chevy dealer
Prom chip - from gmpartsdirect.com

 

Before you pull the starter I would check to see if there is power to the starter when turning the key.You may just have a bad ignition switch under the steering column.

 

If the wire coming off the lock cylinder is broken, you won't get a security light when the key is turned because the circuit is broken. It is like there is no key there.

 

It did the same thing a few weeks ago but by time I drove over, it started back up. Unfortunately he has finally got tired of this Iroc breaking down all the time. He bought a '93 Mustang LX 302 5spd but can't drive it until he gets plates for it. I hate to see the Iroc-Z getting sold. I'd buy it but I already have too many vehicles. I'll check the ignition switch and key cylinder later today when I get time.

 

Just curious - did he replace these things because they were broke, or for performance upgrades?

How many miles are on this car?

I hope the 93 Mustang isn't another step in the wrong direction.

 

Those parts were replaced due to break downs. The car has 97,000 niles but the last 30,000 have been hard miles. Add a new ignition cylinder and key to the list. It now runs again. The GM dealer soaked me for $65 for the cylinder and $34 for the key with the security resistor. I think I will ask for the Iroc so that I can restore it.

 

Glad to see that it is running again, they must have had another price increase at the dealership again. It used to be $54 for the cylinder and $23 for the key. BTW, you can get the lock cylinders at auto zone and advanced auto parts for a lower price. Unfortunately they don't carry the coded keys.

 

Autozone and Advancedauto told me it was a dealer only item. I could have gotten one from www.gmpartsdirect.com for $27 plus shipping but I needed one today to move the car. The Pontiac dealer had me by the short ones on this deal. I took about 1.5 hours to replace it after I found a wheel puller. The lock ring was a pain to remove without a special tool but I got it.

 

That's strange, I was just in both those stores in my area last week checking on them for another board member and was shown three different brand names at each store, all for less than $50.00 each. I don't know about the dealerships in your area, but the prices here are a little lower than that. Also, I always deal with one GM dealership in my area regardless of whether it is a pontiac, chevrolet, or buick part and I have had good service from them.