I have a 90 RS with a 305 TBI V8. I has been a GREAT car, but I have a problem with it starting sometimes. I never know when it is going to take this spell. I may be fine for a while, then you might get in turn the key, and it won't do nothing. No cranking noise or anything. Then if you wait a while and try again, it will work. (It is not a hot starter problem as in it does this when cold as well) Please let me know if anyone has any ideas as to what the prob. is.

 

Do the lights and such work while its not starting?
I would guess starter solenoid.

 

Yes Pyro, the lights work when it won't start. Thanks for the reply.

 

what does the security light on the dash do when it doesn't start?

 

Can't remember exactly what the security light does, but I will check it out. Thats an idea.

 

if you say that the engine isn't even turning over, doesn't that mean that there is a problem with either the starter or getting power to the starter? if the engine does crank then it's prolly either your fuel pump/fuel system or your distributor related stuff. my engine would crank but not start and the fuel pump was on but it was an ignition module (pic-up-coil) that went, but if the engine won't even crank then thats a different story.

 

Unless it is an intermittent conncetion on the VATS system. When the VATS wires in the ignition switch break off, it will not start, crank, the fuel pump wont prime, etc. It will be "dead". When mine broke off, I jumpered a resistor across the wires in the ignition column to make it start and it was that way when I got rid of it. That is why the question was asked about the security light. It will keep the starter, ignition, fuel pump etc from getting power.

 

That is definitely a VATS issue. Very very common problem for late 80s/early 90's GM cars. The resistor fix is also the most common cure for it. Much simpler than tearing the whole column down to route those 2 tiny little white wires in the orange sleeve.

If you need more info on the resistor fix let us know. I can walk you through it and I'm sure a few other guys can as well.

 

I was actually dumb enough to fix the wires the first time. The solder joint just made a stiff place for it to flex until it broke again. I did "the resistor trick" after that.

 

Dude, I had this SAME problem with my 89 Caprice that had a 305 TBI in it. It was the solenoid taking a dump.

 

OK, tell me step by step how to fix this prob, and I'll give it a shot. Thanks so much guys for the help! camaroz28.com is awesome!