been having this problem since i got my 95 Z28, when i turn the key to start it takes sometimes two or three tries before i get the starter to engage, car died a couple weeks ago and wouldn't engage the starter at all, all the power options still worked ie headlights, windows, guages, fuel pump primed, all that, just no starter engage so i changed the starter and later the ignition switch, started again after the ignition switch but still wouldn't engage the starter on every try, now she's just dead in the water with the full electrical power but no start issue, could this be a failure of the computer (ecu, pcm or whatever it's called)? any help at all would be greatly appreciated

 

You may just need to shim the starter (put spacers between the starter and block) so that it will engage. First make sure the starter is working, unbolt it and have a bud look at the starter gear while you hit the ignition.

If the starter doesn't work, there is a theft deterrent relay that must be thrown to get the starter to activate (see here http://shbox.com/1/starter_charging_95.jpg). Those little black plastic sections with metal contactors in our ignition keys have resistors in them. The anti theft systems in our cars measure the resistor in the key and throw the the theft deterrent relay if the resistor is the correct value. If this is the case chances are your key is the problem, not making good contact. Do a site search on vehicle anti theft system (VATS), you can bypass it. Here are a couple of resources http://shbox.com/1/pass_key.html, http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#pass_key, http://shbox.com/1/vats_bypass.jpg.

 

When you try to start it and it doesnt start, can u hear it clicking? If so, I would look into a VATS issue(Vehicle Anti Theft System). Its the chip on your key. When they get old, they don't tend to work well anymore. Buddy of mine had that problem on his 86 vette, and I had it on my TA. I just had it deleted out in my last tune, but there are other ways around it. On his vette, it was ran by a relay, so we just hardwired it and got rid of the relay. Good luck with it.

 

It could also be your igniton switch. When you turn the key sometimes does it not do anything at all? I just had to change mine on my car. You have to pull the column to do it but it is alot easier then it sounds.

 

I'll try the vats issue, that sounds like it could be it in some ways but in others not at the same time. I'm not getting any starter action but I'm not getting the "security" light either. Only reason I was thinking it might be the ECM/PCM is because a friend of mine had the exact same problem with his '88 IROC and that's what his problem turned out to be.

 

Ya if the Security light don't flash, then it def sounds like the ignition switch.

 

I'm on my second new ignition switch within 2 weeks. When i put in the last one in the car still wouldn't start, same reaction as if I hadn't done anything at all. I also tested the starter and it's just fine.

 

A poor battery connection or dirty ground wires will allow your accessories to work but still not supply enough current to fire up the starter. Clean all your cable contacts.

 

check the ignition fuse in the underhood fuse box.

pull the fuse and look into the slot where the contacts are and make sure both sides are as tight as possible so it grabs both sides of the fuse.