ignition/starter/ maybe VATS

I am having problems with my 92 camero starting. It will start fine sometimes other time just make a clicking sound directly at the starter. The starter gears were stripped when I got it and I have replaced it and in 3 months since then I have had it tested (good), I have changed the coded ignition key tumbler, I have taken the starter off to inspect the flywheel and bendix gears, and I have shimmed the starter. The problem is not everytime, but I can find no particular pattern to when it will or will not start. The clicking sound is just one click, not the sound of stripping gears and the only thing I see is the temp gauge maxes everytime it will not start. If I turn the key quickly several time in a row it will eventually stop clicking and turn over. I'm was thinking VATS but it is not everytime, so maybe a short causing the temp gauge to jump? Please help, I hate problems I can not fix.

If you are hearing the clicking sound everytime, it shouldn't have anything to do with VATS, because if the VATS system was causing the problem, you would not get power from the ignition to the solenoid (i.e. no click). The click you hear indicates that the solenoid is working and getting power, and this would indicate something wrong with the starter motor itself. Due to the numerous windings in the starter, you can test a starter and it may seem ok; but there may still be a problem with it. (this may also be why you don't have the problem all the time)

Im probably aint gonna be any help on this, but my mom's mini van started clicking every now and then when you hit the key to start it. Then it got to where she would have to turn the key 2-3 times before it would start the van . Now she has to turn the key 10 or more times before it starts, so it is getting worse so my dad assumed it was a bad starter . maybe thats your problem???

A click usually indicates a weak starter solenoid or bad battery connection (corroded terminals, cracked wiring, low batt.)

Ok, This was the second starter I put on and I have double and tripple checked all wiring. I guess I could have been sold a bad starter twice in a row. Now I have not tested the battery for propper CCA, but it does get required voltage while running. I also have replaced the battery cables so I know they are good. The only reason I was thinking VATS was because I can tell if it is going to start the first time or give me problems by if the fuel pump kicks in or not. If i turn to ACC and I hear the pump it WILL start everytime, if I hear no pump it will click a few times first. That also sounds like battery problem too though. I don't know this problem is driving me crazy and I guess the biggest thing is I've checked and replaced so much that I'm beginning to wonder if it could be a problem in the computer itself.

you got me, the chance of getting two bad starters is extremely small.


regarding the battery, the starter may not turn over if it is drawing too much amperage, or if the battery amperage is too low.

remember however, that voltage and amperage are not the same thing, and when you car is running it is being powered by the alternator which is also charging the the battery. the alternator may be putting out the proper voltage, but the amperage may be too low to properly charge the battery.

based on what you are saying regarding power to the fuel pump though, it does sound like the problem is related to the ignition system apart from the battery or starter.

I'd look at the ignition stitch, but normally you would get anything from the starter not even a click. but, stranger things have happened.

I'd look at the ignition stitch, but normally you would get anything from the starter not even a click. but, stranger things have happened.


That's what I was thinking as well, but let me ask this just to get a little outside comment on my own feelings.... I have tried to inspect the flywheel many times over but there is only a small gap i can easily see and only when the starter is removed. This of course means I can not bump the engine, and trying to man handle the crank with 3 people and a breaker bar is not happening (yet) i guess I shoudln't complain that the compression is the best I've seen on a camero yet. But if my flywheel maybe has a few spots on it that I havn't seen would it be bumping it enough with every click that eventually it grabs. I would have expected a grinding sound or something more than a click, but I really don't know. Also with unbelievable compression could my starter possibly just not be strong enough to turn it over at times? I know this sounds crazy but for the first time my car has me completely stumped. (I mean like 2 months stumped and I'm not liking it)

I would have expected a grinding sound or something more than a click, but I really don't know. Also with unbelievable compression could my starter possibly just not be strong enough

Yes, if you were missing teeth on the flywheel, you should hear the starter just grin or spin, or spin then grind when it contacts finally.

A click usually means that the solenoid has power but not enough amperage to turn the motor. That said, I don't know what is going on with your "unbelievable compression" but, it should not take that much force to manualy turn a motor. I would begin to think you have bad news in the bottom end of that engine or possibly hydrolocked. I mean really, unless you're 50 pounds soaking wet, the motor should rotate with a breaker and one arm.

Yes, if you were missing teeth on the flywheel, you should hear the starter just grin or spin, or spin then grind when it contacts finally.

A click usually means that the solenoid has power but not enough amperage to turn the motor. That said, I don't know what is going on with your "unbelievable compression" but, it should not take that much force to manualy turn a motor. I would begin to think you have bad news in the bottom end of that engine or possibly hydrolocked. I mean really, unless you're 50 pounds soaking wet, the motor should rotate with a breaker and one arm.


A few days ago I tried taking the starter off a friends camero and putting it on mine and I put mine on his. With his starter my car has started first try everytime but then again so has his. I don't know why the starter works for him and not for me but both cars are starting and running great. Still wish I knew, but oh well. I did also find that my water pump was not fuctioning properly so I changed that out the same time I did the starter, I don't know if maybe the water pump was trying to lock up and that was giving it problems, but whatever, like I said both cars are fine and mine starts and also quit running hot. Thanks for all the advice though.

yeah to me it sounds exactly like the starter solenoid...u say uve replaced the starter but did the new starter come w/ the solenoid also...mine did the exact to the letter same thing and it was the solenoid