Weird starting problem , involving transmission? ---

[alwayscode390]

Hey Guys ---

My car decides it doesnt want to start sometimes. I thought it was a starter or a VATS key problem. I just figured out that if I run my transmission through the gears with the car off .... THEN turn the key, it fires right up?!

I didnt try to start it in neutral yet.

Is that a "neutral safety switch" ... what else could it be? THANKS ---

 

[DaJoker]

Interested in this. My car doesn't wanna start sometimes after I take it for a lil spin. Took it out the other nite for about 10 minutes, decided to get gas and put air in the tires. Well lil old lady pulls up while I'm airing the tires and she has a low tire which turns out to have a hole in the sidewall.....so after I put her spare on I got in my car to leave and it didn't start. Had the wife come get me and went back 15 minutes later and it started right up. I was about to replace the starter but maybe thats not it??

 

[alwayscode390]

Its gotten to where I am scared to drive it anywhere that I have to shut it off.

Its the first car that has ever left me stranded , and the messed up thing is that it starts the second I go back to get it, lol.

Who else has this problem? ---

 

[jarredsoon]

my car was funny like that, it would stall after a while and not start until it felt like it. It was a new crank sensor that solved all my problems.

 

[Razor]

Hey Guys ---

My car decides it doesnt want to start sometimes. I thought it was a starter or a VATS key problem. I just figured out that if I run my transmission through the gears with the car off .... THEN turn the key, it fires right up?!

I didnt try to start it in neutral yet.

Is that a "neutral safety switch" ... what else could it be? THANKS ---

If you move the shifter lever and the car starts.. its a neutral safety problem.

The ignition locks become intermittant when the wire from the chip reader break. You can tell by looking at your "SECURITY"

 

[Pronto]

A friend of mine had that issue with his TTA. Tried everything he could think of. Finally got a hot wired injector harness and issue was solved.

 

[DaJoker]

my car was funny like that, it would stall after a while and not start until it felt like it. It was a new crank sensor that solved all my problems.

I don't have a stalling problem though. But like OP said I can go take a 5 minute ride to the parts store get what I need and the car won't start when I get out. Come back in 20 minutes and it fires right up. My car has left me stranded like this quite a few times and it GETS OLD. Beginning to sound like its a common problem. I will trying shifting thru the gears and see if it helps me next time.

 

[cruesix]

if the security light is on it prolly has to do with the key.thats why it starts when you return after a few minutes..the security resets after a few minutes of no key movement. ive had this issue with a bunch of gta's and even a few 4th gens its always been the key.

most parts stores have replacement tumblers for us. this will fix it

 

[DaJoker]

No SES lite on mine, can't speak for OP.

 

[alwayscode390]

Well, I tried to get it to start at 6pm tonight, and it was a no go no matter WHAT I did. The "SECURITY" light comes on for about 2 seconds while I am cranking but goes off. A bunch of other lights come on too though.

With my 96'z28 the SECURITY light stays on even after the key is out for 5 minutes until it resets, if its the VATS. Are these cars the same?

I just went out at 2am to start it ( I rubbed the key with a wool sock first to get the chip buzzing ) ... and it fired right up. I didnt have to mess with the tranny.

I have a new crank sensor, starter, and ignition components ( msd coils, spark plugs, wires ).

I am guessing I need a new tumbler or a new key? If I have a bad key ... will a place be able to get the resistance off of it to make me a new key, or should I go the tumbler route first? If I change the tumbler ... will that solve the broken wire problem?

THANKS ---

 

[alwayscode390]

OK, I read through a BUNCH of threads, and one thread said " you cant start these cars like a limp wristed fairy "

I took that to heart, and went out and pushed HARD towards the steering column these last few times as I turned the key. My car starts EVERY time now that way ... but I dont want it to stay that way,lol.

It feels like it almost catches on something as I am turning it, and I can even hear a slight "click" when I turn the key.

What parts does it sound like I need to replace? THANKS ---

 

[cruesix]

id say ignition tumbler,i just did mine again after someone jammed the wrong key in it and messed it up :biggrin:

i got it at autozone,19.99 then you need to have a new vats key cut which will be another 19 bucks,i got the key cut at ace hardware but im sure lots of places can do it.just bring your old key so they can measure the the resistor

its about an hour job to pull the column apart to get to it.

of course this is just my opinion

and yes the new tumbler comes with the wire attached to it

 

[alwayscode390]

Awesome, thanks for the response.

My ACE wont cut me a key because they dont have the resistor keys... BUT he pointed me about 2 miles up the road to a locksmith that would be happy to do it. ---