1990 Camaro 3.1 V6
I tired to start up my camaro this afternoon and it just acted as if it was dead. Everything works when I turn on the car tho; radio, lights and I can hear the fuel pump run but I turn the key and nothing.
Any help would be great!

 

Sounds like VATS start disable. Check for power to the purple wire at the starter's S terminal while trying to crank the engine.

 

Intresting. If it was VATS tho wouldn't the key cylinder stay locked?

 

Hook up the MULTI METER and verify you have 12 plus volts at the starter, then, if you do, why not try jumping the starter leads to see if its an ignition or starter issue an checking voltage drop under load as a first test, if the starter spins the engine with the manual switch you know its not the starter itself, if it fails too you know its a starter failure







L98 starter




LT1 starter

 

so decided to check my battery and found the battery was going. changed that out and still having the same problem. did what gumpy said and the car will try to crank but won't turn over. now trying to bypass VATS.

 

When you say trying to crank, Im assuming you mean it starts to spin but locks up,pull all the spark plugs and try to use the starter to spin the engine over,with the manual switch, watch for coolant blowing out of the plug holes because the starter should easily spin the engine, if its not , but trying too spin,and locking part way, you have other issues.
if its just clicking you may have starter issues , loose or corroded battery cables ,loose connections,and all your hearing is the starter solenoid

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/...lit=vats#p9146

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/...+resistor#p645

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/...tarters#p23082

 

Or do you mean that it cranks but won't start? VATS passkey will prevent the starter from turning unless the contacts in the key cylinder pickup the correct key pellet resistance, and the VATS module functions correctly activating the start enable relay. The VATS module can also prevent fuel injector pulse if it doesn't send the fuel enable signal to the ECM. This means that the engine will crank but not start. Try grumpy's starter test but this time with the key on. If the engine starts, the VATS is okay. You may have a bad neutral safety switch or the start enable relay(under the drivers kick panel), or the wiring, may be bad.

Grumpy has mentioned a few possible causes of no crank. You could also have a bad battery cable or poor connection between the battery + or -, engine block or starter. A voltage drop test will help you find this.

 

Mine did the same thing. Turn ignition on and everything powered up but turn key to start and everything died. Turned out to be the neutral switch on the shifter.