89 Camaro Won't Start

[TechLifter]

I've got an 89 Camaro RS, manual 305. I'd been having trouble with the car in that it wouldn't start from time to time. You'd turn the key and nothing would happen. Still power to the radio, A/C, etc, but the car wouldn't turn over at all. Then, maybe 10 minutes later, it would start just fine.

As of 3 weeks ago, it's been completely unstartable with the key. I can push start the car (as it's a manual) and it stays running just fine.

What I've done to try and nail the poblem so far is:

Used a screwdriver to jump the leads on the starter to see if it was getting juice. It started purring right away. Just to be sure, I took the starter off and took it into Autozone to be tested. Again, it tested as working perfectly.

Then I replaced the ignition switch. It was a pain in the ass to drop the steering column to get at it, but I replaced it according to spec and there was no change when attempting to turn the key. Still nothing. Same with checking the alternator and the car battery. Both appear to be fully operational/charged.

After that, I replaced the neutral safety switch, thinking that maybe the switch had gone bad and wouldn't start because the car thought the clutch wasn't engaged. Again, no dice.

As of right now, the last thing that I can think to check is replacing the positive and negative battery cables, just in case they're allowing enough current for the accessories (because the a/c and radio still work great) but have too much impedence to support a start.

So beyond that, I'm at a loss. Do you have any suggestions as far as what the problem might be and how to fix it? Like I said, I can push start it and it runs fine, until the key is turned off again. Any help is welcome. [email protected]

[vettemaan]

Try the battery its self, it may have enough power to run you radio but starting the car requires the full power of the battery.

[TechLifter]

Yeah, I had the battery charge tested as well. It's got a full charge. I'm stumped.

[Savage Messiah]

Something somewhat like this happened to me. Make sure your battery terminals and connections, esp. the positive, are clean and have no corrosion... that was my problem and she started up fine after i cleaned em.

[vettemaan]

I still bet its the battery, thats what it has to be.

[92rs25th]

Might need to have the starter tested , If it has a relay built on like mine does , ( same problem ) then if that's out...may be the cause. Sounds similar to what happened to me.

[4onFloor]

is there any clicking noises at all when you try to start it? could be a problem with the VATS, could be the starter relay, could be the battery posts as the other guys said

[biglistofmods]

i had the same prob with my old camaro i had the starter checked 3 times it checked out fine finally i got sick of having to check things out and i put a starter in it and it was fine since

[Genopsyde]

Vats

[4onFloor]

pull the starter off, and rotate the 3/8 copper bolt 180*
you have to take the solenoid apart to do this

[89IROC&RS]

vats relay??? starter relay???? fuses?? from all that youve done so far, i would have to say it sounds like a starter relay.

[ridge_runner]

you wanna know a neat trick to save your starters? wire in a ford starter sylonid

[TechLifter]

Well, I replaced the entire battery and bought a new positive cable, just to be sure and still no dice. The truth be told, that battery needed replacing, but I'm still dead in the water. Turning the key provides no clicking, no turnover, nada. Moreover, I can still push-start the car so I would assume (possibly incorrectly) that it's not a vats issue. I even had a brand new key made at the dealer's, just to make certain the chip in the key wasn't funky.

So, there's juice reaching the starter, the starter will crank if you cross the posts with a screwdriver and I've got a fully charged, brand new battery and cable. The only think I can think of that's left in the loop is a problem with the ignition module in the steering column. Anything I might be missing?

[89IROC&RS]

starter relay

[4onFloor]

Originally Posted by TechLifter

Moreover, I can still push-start the car so I would assume (possibly incorrectly) that it's not a vats issue. I even had a brand new key made at the dealer's, just to make certain the chip in the key wasn't funky.

that still doesn't rule out the VATS module itself. contrary to popular belief, it is possible to start a car without even touching anything VATS related. all VATS does is enable engine cranking, and the fuel injector outputs for a cold start. once a car is started it effects nothing on the engine and doesn't even keep it running. if your key is in the on position and you are push starting it, then it will probly start since the engine is turning over at faster rpm's than the starter would have turned it over.

but ya, i'd check the starter relay first and go from there. there should be a clicking noise in the relay when you try to start the car. if no noise is heard, then move backwards to the slide switch and the vats module. i think the relay is behind the driver's side kick panel below the dash. there should be 2 or 3 yellow wires and a purple wire going to it i think.