Car not starting

[90CamConv]

I changed out my battery last week due to the old one died and was almost 10 years old. The new battery lasted 3 days before the charge was gone so I had it recharged and was going to run a diagnostic on the electrical system with my brother-in-law. The car started with the new battery, no problem. We drove it to the back and turned it off. He got his volt meter and attached it to the battery posts to check the battery output. The battery was good. He then told me to start the car with the volt meter attached so he could see the drain. When I turned the key there was a slight noise as if the car was turning over and then silence. The indicator lights were on but there was no cranking sound of the starter. At first I thought the VATS was the problem so I told him we should wait 10 minutes for it to reset. During this time he removed the battery fuse to check it. Everything was fine there, after 10 minutes and now 24 hours the engine doesn't start. There is still a strong charge on the battery but when the key is turned there isn't even a clicking noise of the starter. Any ideas?

[DaMoNe6969]

Sounds like the VATS to me.. When you turn the ignition, do you hear the fuel pump??

Have someone under the car with a voltage tester on the the small terminal on the starter solonoid.. Turn the key to start the car, If there is power going to it, then your starter solonoid is fried.. If theres no power going to it, then it could be the VATS system.. most likely the ignition switch.. Hope this helps

[90CamConv]

Thanks... I will do that.

[96Civ]

Hey CamConv, do you hear a 'click' when you turn the key? There is also a way to jumpstart the starter with a screwdriver to make sure it still works... though I doubt its your starter...

[90CamConv]

There are no clicking sounds....

[96Civ]

I had a similar problem and I tested my starter to make sure it was still working... I used a long screwdriver with a plastic handle (very important) and I lightly touched the 2 terminals on the starter and it told me it was still working when it shot sparks and spun... kind of gives you a scare, but a relief it still works...

[FormulaLT1]

Try removing the black battery cable for ten minutes with the key in the ignition in the on position. After ten minutes put the terminal back in with the key still in the ignition this should reset your computer if its getting a starter intertupt. If it doesn't start bring your key to a GM dealer and have check the resistance

[89IROC&RS]

im looking more at the dead battery in three days rather than vats. sounds to me like you have a short somewhere, thats what i would be looking for. use your trusty test light, and voltmeter, and test your wiring from the battery to the starter for an open or short to ground, use the test light to make sure you are getting power from the battery to the starter, and from the starter to your ignition switch. then check to see if you are getting power out of the switch when you turn the key. back to the starter solenoid. if all of that is ok, then its a vats problem, and you should probly have it taken to a dealership, or pull the steering wheel, and the SIR coil (if you have one) and dig your way down the steering column to the ignition switch, and look for the two little wires that come out, and see if they have broken. happens to the late 80's vettes all the time.

[DaMoNe6969]

Its a bad problem in the Camaro's too except you cant see if the wires are broken because they usually break off right inside the lock cylinder...

[mixlispidlic]

If you wan to check to see if its your seliniod (pardon my spelling) take a whack-it ( Any small hammer like device) and tap on the starter... a lot of times this will let the selinoid engage.

[FormulaLT1]

Wow Dude, welcome to the forum but try not to bring back threads that are over 7 months old.

[FormulaLT1]

Originally Posted by 89IROC&RS

im looking more at the dead battery in three days rather than vats. sounds to me like you have a short somewhere, thats what i would be looking for. use your trusty test light, and voltmeter, and test your wiring from the battery to the starter for an open or short to ground, use the test light to make sure you are getting power from the battery to the starter, and from the starter to your ignition switch. then check to see if you are getting power out of the switch when you turn the key. back to the starter solenoid. if all of that is ok, then its a vats problem, and you should probly have it taken to a dealership, or pull the steering wheel, and the SIR coil (if you have one) and dig your way down the steering column to the ignition switch, and look for the two little wires that come out, and see if they have broken. happens to the late 80's vettes all the time.

See how far we go back 89!!!

[89IROC&RS]

lol, wow..... some threads should stay dead