89 Camaro Need Help

[ljs713]

I have an 89 Camaro RS, V8, standar transmission that I have been having a lot of probelms with. To start I cannot get the car started I believe it has something to do with the ignition key but I don't know where to start and what to check for. The battery is fine it has power when I turn the key the car is totally dead. I am also having problems with the car over heating. When I drive it it runs extremely hot and ends up steaming. It has overheated so bad it cracked my radiador and I believe it has also broke a hose. Could someone please give me some info if anyone has experienced similar problems with there camaro. I wanto to sell it and just get it running. Thanks

[AFI 05]

If your having problems starting and the battery and everything else is fine, it could be VATS (your anti-theft system) that came with the car. Alright, theres a chip on the key.. try to clean the chip so it makes contact as best as possible and try starting it.. I couldnt start mine and somebody told me about this once and I never had problems starting it again. But it will work if everything else is fine ie starter, battery, cables, etc..

[ljs713]

If your having problems starting and the battery and everything else is fine, it could be VATS (your anti-theft system) that came with the car. Alright, theres a chip on the key.. try to clean the chip so it makes contact as best as possible and try starting it.. I couldnt start mine and somebody told me about this once and I never had problems starting it again. But it will work if everything else is fine ie starter, battery, cables, etc..

Thanks for the info. I do believe it is definately in the key. How would you suggest cleaning the key? It does work sometimes so I don't know if I have a loose wire or what. I will try this first thanks. I will let you know how things go. Thanks

[Rally Sport]

Real big word of advice btw, dont run your Camaro with it overheating, its really bad for your engine as it can expand cylinders and mess it up quicker than it would, from what it sounds like to me your thermostat isnt working, its real cheap too so I would seal the radiator back up (If you cant afford a new one, they're pretty cheap) and get a new hose.

[AFI 05]

well i'd say just try to get the grit off maybe wet a piece of cloth or somthing with water and try cleaning it as best as possible.. the chip is kinda shiney (when clean) so try cleaning it up...

[dualsweat]

I had the same problem with my 87 overheating. The number ONE problem was that dead leaves from the fall were getting stuck up in front of the radiator.

To resolve the problem I:

1.) Installed lower thermostat (I want to say it was a 180F).
2.) Installed 3 core radiator.
3.) Installed a manual fan switch so that i can run the fan at any time.
4.) Installed high flow water pump.
5.) Cleaned out the stupid leaves!

Hope this helps

Matt------------

[89camaroperson]

....this may be dumb but since you have a manual are you pushing the clutch down when you go to start it?