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The other day when I turned the key, absolutely nothing happened. The radio would play but as far as trying to start it was absolutely nothing. Tried several times turning the key and then on about the 5th try it started. My son has had the same thing happen to his 99 z28 a few times and then this morning it just wouldn't start at all. The dealer said let it sit for 5-10 minutes so the "computer can reset"?? well he tried this several times and nothing. Later at lunch he tried again a few times, nothing. The battery seems fine. Now he has to have it towed in.
Anybody else experience anything like this or have any ideas what the problem might be.
------------------ Kevin Villier (SSOA F99-0584) - 6M, TT, navy blue, dual-dual exhaust, chrome SS wheels, SLP shifter, Lou's "short-stick". Louisville, Kentucky
Posts: 308 | From: Louisville, KY | Registered: Feb 2000
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Is the "security" light on the dash stay on? Maybe your key chip is not being properly picked up.
------------------ AndrewB - Montreal, Quebec, Canada - AndrewB@camarossc4.cjb.net 1998 Camaro SS #C4 (SC soon) Homepage: http://camarossc4.cjb.net Founder of the Montreal F-Body Association: http://mfba.cjb.net Advisory Member A98-C004 for the Super Sport Owners Association: http://www.ssoa.net
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Mine did this the a month or two ago. The security light came on. So I went and got the spare set. About 10 min elapsed when I tried and it turned right over. So I cleaned off my old set and it started working again.
Posts: 418 | From: DFW, Texas | Registered: Feb 2000
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He tried both sets of keys and alarm buttons and nothing works. It could be a problem with the security system not deactivating or something keeping it from starting. He also tried disconnecting the battery then reconnecting it after a bit to see if it would reset, again nothing.
------------------ Kevin Villier (SSOA F99-0584) - 6M, TT, navy blue, dual-dual exhaust, chrome SS wheels, SLP shifter, Lou's "short-stick". Louisville, Kentucky
Posts: 308 | From: Louisville, KY | Registered: Feb 2000
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Most of the time when I've heard of this happening, including the two times it happened to me, it was either a defective key set or a defective VATS module. The VATS ( Vehicle Anti Theft System ) has to read the key to allow the car to start. If the key(s) are contaminated somehow, or the unit itself is defective, it can cause intermittent starting problems. It may not be the source of the problem, but checking the ignition or VATS module might be worth a shot. Good luck...
Andy
------------------ '01 SS #3122 Sunset Orange / Ebony Lea M-6, All GM Options Y2Y Options: Bilstein Susp. Dual-Dual 10-Spoke Chrome Whls SS Grille SS Mats SS Car Cover SS Dash Plaque SS Key Fobs
Posts: 214 | From: Pepperell MA USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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My bet would be with VATS but I would also check to make sure the car knows you are pushing in the clutch.
------------------ Robbie-M97-2902 Metairie, LA Bright Rally Red, 6M, All Chevy options except ASR (ASR not allowed with SS package in 1997), Hurst, SLP performance exhaust, SS floor mats, SS cover, Torsen, Level 2 Bilstein, Oil cooler, Zaino, NOAH car cover, BMR STB, SLP !CAGS. My Photopoint pictures My 97 SS
Posts: 254 | From: LaPlace, LA | Registered: Feb 2000
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I noticed this problem with my SS as well. It's really weird, you plop down the clutch and turn the key, and everything powers up, but the engine doesn't crank up. I somehow figured out the solution by accident one day when.....
Here's what I do: Obviously to start an M6-equipped car, you have to depress the clutch before you turn the key. What I noticed is that if you depress the clutch too far down (like to the floor), the starter doesn't turn. So when I let the clutch back up just a hair, and turn the key, the starters cranks up and the beast comes to life. This is a very annoying, but not a serious problem for me. So try this guys... whenever this happens again, just try it again with the clutch at a different position. It may be different for each car, so just try different positions to see what works. After a while you just get used to depressing the clutch to a certain level and it will start every time. Hope this helps! Party hard, sleep later!
Posts: 114 | From: Hermosa Beach, California | Registered: Feb 2001
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The clutch safety switch went out on both my old '77 C10 and the '82 Z28. Both were about 10 years old at the time, though. Early symptom was the starter would only work at particular clutch positions, as noted above.
BTW, the truck switch was both cheaper and easier to get to.