91 Rs Not Starting!!

I have a very difficult problem. it is difficult because it is intermitting, only does it once in a while, but getting more frequent. sometimes when i go to start my car, the engine turns over but it wont start. i can hear the fuel pump come on and i smell gas by my engine so it gets fuel. when i have it towed somewhere it starts up immediately when it gets there. very annoying, can someone help me out? the towing seems to jar something to where it cranks when it arrives, whats going on!!
:banghead:
:uhoh:
:rofl:

Would have to lean in the direction of having no spark then. Maybe the VATS system starting to get fussy. Or something actually in the ignition system, pick up coil maybe?

would an ignition coil/modulator go out within 7 months? cause thats what i replaced 7 months ago when i was having this problem... i replaced them twice.

these fuel injection cars are annoying, mine doesnt even have the throttle body. i cant do any mods. i hate troubleshooting them.

ya, you can't do much to the 3.1. And a 3.1 pulling that car kinda sucks.

Chances are you have a key with a resistance pellet in it. Set your mulitmeter to ohms and put one lead on each side of the key. You need to find that resistance on the GM VATS code list (1-15 all different resistances). Then you need to go here http://ecklerscamaro.com/ and buy the security system override, its like 30 bucks. Pull the hush panel off underneath your steering wheel and plug it in. Problem fixed. Go here to find your VATS code # by resistance. http://www.likeabigdog.com/column/VATS.htm

I am having pretty much the same problem with my 90 RS, and after talking to many mechanics, family members of which one is a head mechanic for Dragsters in Indy, and of whom is considered the best mechanic in my area, they all point to the fiel pressure, I also just had my gas tank replaced a couple weeks ago and it all happened just this past week, I have yet to put the new fuel pump in yet, and I sure hope it helps, your problem could easily be others issues but I would check the fuel pressure, most shops will let you borrow um.

I would suspect eather a failing fuel pump relay, or a tired fuel pump.

In my 89 camaro, when the vats was giving me trouble, it wouldnt let the engine turn over...is the vats effect different on post 89 camaros?
What I mean is Tuff keeps recommending a bypass for issues where the engine turns over, but wont start...is that what a vats problem does to some camaros or if the vats is an issue, would it just not let the engine turn over at all?

i've checked my resistor in my key, it checks fine it might be in the column, where the two wires touch the resistor. they may not be touching all of the way. i played with it this weekend. when my friend shook the car back and forth, i was able to crank it, but before that it wouldnt crank.

The problem wouldnt be your keys chip, it would be in the tumbler where your key is read, the bypass intercepts the wires leading to it and makes it read the correct code all the time...so you would never have a problem with the system ever again :grinyes:

Could be the starter enable relay, but I doubt it.
For now lets assume its the vats...Follow Tuff's advice and go to http://ecklerscamaro.com/ and order the vats bypass for your code (if you dont know your chip #, run down to the nearest Chevy dealer and have they check your key and tell you the code #...1-15)
Hopefully your bypass module will come soon.

In my 89 v6, I am able to reach the starter solinoid from my engine compartment, see if you can do the same in your 91...you should be able to.
My camaro is my only mod of transportation, so I needed it to start. Before my bypass came, when my camaro wouldnt start, this is what I did:
When it didnt start, I would leave the key in the on position, get a screwdriver and use it to connect the two pins on the starter solinoid and held the screwdriver there until the car started(only takes 1-2 seconds), try that :evillol:

A VATS problem can let the car crank but not start. It may send the signal to the starter just not the fuel pump and vice versa sometimes. VATS was a problem for my 89.

A VATS problem can let the car crank but not start. It may send the signal to the starter just not the fuel pump and vice versa sometimes. VATS was a problem for my 89.

What!?!?
You are kidding, right?
The vats only affects your starter, thats why when you put the key in you still hear the fuel pump prime, but when you turn the key, nothing happens.
Thats the way it happend for me, and thats the way it looks like it should happen in my wiring diagram.

A VATS problem can let the car crank but not start. It may send the signal to the starter just not the fuel pump and vice versa sometimes. VATS was a problem for my 89.
No, VATS only disables the starter, nothing else.

Thanks for the support Morley...I love being right:grinyes:

vats disables the starter and the fuel injectors.

When the key is inserted into the ignition lock cylinder, the cylinder reads the key and sends a signal to the vats module, between the two is the relay, and when the right signal is read it enables the starter and pulses the fuel injectors to start. The whole system is like a circle, key(with pellet of course), lock cylinder, anit-theft relay(aka starter enable relay), vats module, ecm, prom chip, starter, and fuel injectors. The fuel pump will run fine, but the ecm wont let the injectors flow.