jacobglennsmith

1989 Camaro 350 TPI Auto

I put the key in, turn it to run (gauges on, radio on), try to start it, all that happens is my temp gauge tops out my radio turns off and I hear a relay click where my left foot is.

Battery is good

Just changed starter

VATS is already bypassed

I did do some stereo work on it today however I don't see how that would effect it. (Tried starting it with amp wire disconnected from battery)

I am getting REALLY pissed and need my car running to get to work.

Where do I go from here?

Chevy86 IROC-Z

iTrader: (17)

Are you sure the click is coming from the kick panel area? Is there a car alarm installed? Sounds like there may be an issue from the starter solenoid or the ignition switch. One way to test if the starter solenoid is bad is by disconnecting the 12 volt key ignition wire to the starter and install a tester light with one lead going to ground, and the other to the disconnected 12 ignition switch wire. Then turn the key as if you where cranking. If the light turns on when the key is turned and goes out when you let go of the key, then the starter solenoid is bad. But if there is no light when turning the key, then hold your brake and play with the shifter. Maby the shifter didnt engage all the way into park. If that doesnt work, then probably the ignition switch is bad.

Chevy86 IROC-Z

iTrader: (17)

Even if vats was disengaged, the car will still crank but the injectors will not spit gas.

jacobglennsmith

Yellow wire running down the column right? If that tests 12V with the key pinned to start that would mean the ignition switch is okay, correct? Also, could the neutral saftey switch cause this? There was an alarm system on the car but I ripped it out. I'll tear into the kick panel tomorrow and maybe I'll find tje relay there. I can definately feel one clicking there.

eseibel67

If you were too rammy while you were under the dash doing your radio job, you might have accidentally pulled an ignition switch wire or bent the rod.

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

Yes

The relay could also be faulty , operating ( the click ) but not passing power to the starter

How was VATS bypassed ?

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Real simple.

12V at the starter solenoid "S" terminal when the key is turned to "start"? (purple wire, small terminal)

Yes: bad starter

No: bad wiring

Get yourself out of "maybe it's this, maybe it's that" hell, and instead, TROUBLESHOOT by gathering INFORMATION.

jacobglennsmith

OK guys here's what I've concluded this morning. It's definitely in the wiring somewhere. nothing going to the smaller wire on the solenoid with the key pinned to start. I dug out the relay in my drivers kick panel. I'm going to try to get a couple pics up of these things. the relay does still "click" when I pin the key to run. with the ignition on the two yellow wires have 12V running through them. nothing on the green. when i pin the key both yellow wires still have 12V as well as the big green wire. the small green wire must be a ground? as for the ignition switch I'll attach a pic of my steering column and you guys tell me if I'm testing the right wire. The wire I put the test light on is the yellow wire in the order blue, brown, purple, yellow, green, white. that yellow wire?

jacobglennsmith

Update: I decided to mess with the neutral safety switch. when I stick the test light in the little light green wire and turn it to start it cranks. sounds to me like that's the problem. what do you guys think?

chops1sc

Oh man, am I glad I saw this thread! I am having the exact same issue. I even took a short video of my relay clicking, LOL! Are you going to replace the neutral safety switch? Also, if you wouldn't mind taking a look at this video and tell me if this is the same thing you had?
http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t...t=IMG_1585.mp4

jacobglennsmith

***Problem Solved***

It was the neutral safety switch. It was not bad it just wasn't positioned correctly to detect it was in park. Thank you all for the advice you're all always so helpful. One of these years I'll hit thirdgen fest and maybe put some faces with these names!! Thanks again guys!!

slowboy

I don't get but [1] click from kick panel when I turn switch to start position...in video, sound like he got several cliks...
anybody tell me the location of neutral safety switch and how to disable it?

Chevy86 IROC-Z

iTrader: (17)

The Neutral Safety Switch is in the shifter console and mounted on the shifter. There is no way to "disable" it. If you remove it' the vehicle won't turn on because you will no longer be supplying the starter with current. Best to keep the safety switch in place. If you modify it you'll run the risk of turning on the car while in gear and cause an accident.