99'SS with some serious issues. :(

Hey guys, been almost a year since I last posted here. Last post was joyous (just got my SS), and this one is distraught...

You all will have to excuse me if I'm a bit vague on descriptions of the problem and it's symptoms... I'm trying to give a diagnosis from about 3200 miles from my car. I lucked out and got a duty assignment as far away from home as possible. Thank you Army.

Anyways here it is. My old man has been starting my car up every weekend or so for the past 8 months while I've been away in the service, and I JUST finished the paperwork to be able to ship my vehicle out here. Sho' nuff... Murphy's law strikes again, and now my baby needs to go to the emergency room. Problem is, I have NO FREAKIN IDEA what the problem could be. Here's the prognosis: When my dad turns the key to the ON position, all the gauges and lights go haywire, relays click on and off, and it seems to be in an infinite reset-loop (judging from what my dad tells me the problems are). When he turns the key to the START position, everything goes dead. I KNOW it's not the VATS, because I've already spent 250 dollars fixing it this year, and the warrantee expires in july (This CLEARLY means I have another 2 months to go before that screws up again :-P). Anyhow, there's no popping or sizzling, or blowing fuses, or the infamous smoke being let out of various electronic parts... but there's one thing. Mice decided to make their home in my engine compartment. Although it doesn't seem like they've chewed through any wires.

I know that might be a(the) problem, but what ELSE could cause something like that to happen? There's no visible destroyed wires or anything.

Sorry for the vagueness again, but it's about all I can do for you from where I'm sitting. I appreciate any help you all can give me.

Thanks

Check the dash guagepod. There is a service bulletin about it I believe.
It resets the trip-o-meter, and the guages. It was a big problem with 1999 cars. Mine resets, but hasn't caused any problems yet, so.....

I had a problem with my fusebox a while back. Some of the wires were loose. Might want to check that as well.

Naw, I know it's not that error. I've had that issue a thousand times, but every time I've had it, a good 5 seconds was enough to remedy the situation. This problem causes everything to go absolutely insane... with no self repair in sight.

Now, worst case scenario considered... how much would I be looking to spend if I need to replace the ECM? I have an ominous suspicion that that's going to be the problem.

Check LS1.com/LS1tech.com/LS2.com and their for sale sections.
Brand new.....
Probably a GM part. And expensive. Never researched them.

Welp, got the diagnosis, and you were 99.95% correct Luos. Some microchip in the dashpod decided to spontaneously combust causing all sorts of useless info to be transmitted to the computer, if any at all. Thus the computer wouldn't allow the vehicle to start due to not being able to read the impedance from the VATS. All sorts of jacked up.

Signing bonus for the Army. $5000
Taxes -$1400
Vehicle Insurance. -$94
Vehicle Registration. -$219
Effed up dashpod. -$600
Shipment to NC. -$830
Oil change. -$37
What I'm left with......

A uniform that attracts 18 year old pu$$y from miles away, and a badass ride to accent the aforementioned =)

Thanks for your help man.