94 camaro starter problems

I just bought a 1994 Camaro. It has had some starter issues. Not really sure what is going on. When I try to start it, it takes about three turns of the key before it will start.

I got a rebuilt starter put on it, still having same problem. Replaced fuel filter, still having same problem. I have had the battery tested, the battery is fine. Any ideas?

I am assuming the starter is turning the engine over right? If so you just have to make sure the engine has Fuel, Spark, Air, and Compression and it should run. I would check fuel and spark first...

I went over this same problem (changed everything you did) turned out it was a weak fuel pump...the car runs great now BUT I have a raw fuel smell at the back of the car...so someone didnt do something right...make sure they do it right the first time, the labor charges will kill you!! mine cost $279 for the pump $426 for labor...The used car dealer split the cost with me..I was shocked!!

I have a 94 camaro doing the exact same thing except mine doesent even turn over, it just clicks.:frown: i've changed the starter, checked the fuel pump, its working, just changed the fuel filter, i've done everything you have. does yours even turn over? I even disabled that ignition security thing and its still doin it...it just clicks, it sounds like the silenoid on the starter just isn't workin but it is because its brand new! I have no clue whats goin on. anyone have any suggestions!?

Check the fuel pressure. If you turn the key on and the pressure jumps to 41 PSI then without starting the car it immediately loses pressure. You fuel pump check valve is shot. I had the same exact problem. Could also be the regulator but those are rare to go. I use to always have to do exactly three trys before it would start.

I have a 94 camaro doing the exact same thing except mine doesent even turn over, it just clicks.:frown: i've changed the starter, checked the fuel pump, its working, just changed the fuel filter, i've done everything you have. does yours even turn over? I even disabled that ignition security thing and its still doin it...it just clicks, it sounds like the silenoid on the starter just isn't workin but it is because its brand new! I have no clue whats goin on. anyone have any suggestions!?
Can you turn the engine via a breaker bar or ratchet and the crank pulley?

well im thinking its electrical because the starter doesent even move at all the engine doesent turn over or anything it just clicks. maybe bad wireing?

You need to make sure the engine crank moves freely before you jump to the next trouble shooting step. Thats why I am asking if you can turn the engine via a ratchet and the crank pulley. Unfortunetly it sounds alot like a seized engine to me.

Check to be shure the wires to the starter are tight, same with the battery.
One possibility is the vats bypass you tried isnt working. You can try this: Turn the key to the on position and bypass the starter solinoid with a screwdriver...BE CAREFUL dont get shocked!

no the engine definitely isn't seized. i just havent gotten around to checkin the wires...i drive the car everyonce ina while like, every 3 start ups it will just click, but eventually the starter will turnover. i'm sure its in the wireing somewhere ive just got too much goin on to find the problems.

Sounds like the VATS to me...Try doing that thing with the screwdriver I mentioned(with key turned to ON) and see if that gets the car to start... let me know

Vats will typically illuminate the security light while trying to turn it over if its preventing the vehicle from starting.

In my 89, the VATS system wont even let the engine turn over, all you hear is a click, and then silence...that system is more trouble than its worth...
I got my bypass from ecklerscamaro...resonable price(I think), easy to install and havent had an incident with the VATS since.
That thing with the screwdriver is how I started my car when I didnt have time for the system to reset...before I got my bypass:grinyes:

One possibility is the vats bypass you tried isnt working. You can try this: Turn the key to the on position and bypass the starter solinoid with a screwdriver...BE CAREFUL dont get shocked!
I have the same problem with my z28 '90 camaro, but when I tried to do that, the starter couldn't be reached from going under the hood, and the car rides so low that I had to jack it up to get to it. still the screwdriver thing didn't work... I noticed none has posted in over a week does that mean a solution was found? if so id appreshiate it.

I can only assume that the reason there hasnt been a posting is because urstolendesire has been too busy to look for the problem and (as a result) has had no further questions or because urstolendesire found the problem and forgot to let us know.
As FormulaLT1 said, "Vats will typically illuminate the security light while trying to turn it over if its preventing the vehicle from starting."
So is your security light illuminating when you are having the problem?
While you were under the car, did you make shure all of the wires to the starter solinoid were tight? Are wires to battery tight? And wires to the alternator?
If all of those connections are clean and tight, and the security light isnt illuminated, then I would suspect a faulty starter solinoid.
If the security light is illuminated, then its the VATS. I would suspect its your vats because of the year of your camaro.
Is your problem the same as urstolendesire's? Try to tell me as much as you can about your problem and I will try to help.

Yeah, so i replaced that starter with yet another brand new one-pain in the ass, either the tranny has to drop or exhaust has to drop. Worked great for about a month, and its right back to doin the clicking thing. Its a duralast starter with a lifetime warrenty but i recommend to anyone not goin with it...

There may be something else like a cable issue causing excessive draw or exposure to excessive heat by aftermarket headers.

Pleas address the issue in a new thread as this one exceeds the 3 month limit by 7 :yikes: