1991 Chevy Camaro 91 Camaro wont start

JUSTIN21486

MEMBER
1991 CHEVROLET CAMARO
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

I have a 91 camaro rs 3.1 v6 aytomatic I went to go to work one day and it wouldnt start it wont turn over or anything the battery is good I replaced the starter and ignition switch on the colunm under the dash and still nothing. I read that it could be the vats system so I took my key cylinder apart tnd the wires were broken so I bought a bypass kit with all of the resistors and I tried them all and none of them work either if I jump the starter it will turn over but it wont run without starting fluid and that should be a faulty vats system but my repair manual doesnt show anything about it or how to fix or replace it any info you could give me would be great I dont have any money to have someone fix it and I am trying to do it myself

1 Reply

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

Thanks for all of the info on the car. . ..great job there. . ...I really appreciate that.

Okay, let me understand; please correct me if I am wrong.

When you say it wouldn't start or turn over. . ..you put the key in, turned it, the dash lights came on, the engine made no noise. . ..no movement. . .. . .no nothing. . .. . .right?

You replaced the starter and ignition switch and still, you turn the key, dash lights come on, the engine doesn't make a sound or move. . .. . ..right?

You found broken wires for the VATs. . ...I am not sure about the rewire. . .. . .but we will press on.

Now when you put 12V right to the starter it moves. . ..but the car won't run. . ...

When you turn the key on until the dash lights come on only. . ...do you hear the fuel pump come on and pressurize?

So, from the key - nothing. . .. . .no engine movement. . .. . .12V right to the starter it tries to start. . ..right?

As for the VATs, that should only last about 3 minutes. . .. . ..I attached that below.

CIRCUIT OPERATION

The brain of the PASSkey(R) system is a special decoder module that reads the pellet resistance through the lock cylinder contacts. It then compares this key code with its own internal code.

If the codes match, the decoder supplies a ground for the starter enable relay and modulates a 5 volt reference signal (at 2.5 volts) from the ECM or PCM which will then pulse the fuel injectors.

If the codes do not match, the decoder module sets its internal timer which locks out starter operation and fuel enable for up to three minutes.

On the pic I have attached. . ...is your car doing which one. . ..because this also talks about the security light on the dash at the same time.

There is also an ignition shut down relay. . ...you could replace it with a like one to see if that makes a difference. The pic is attached.

Have you tried checking codes by jumping the pins?

Okay, please answer all the questions. . .. . ..and let's see. . ...

Again, great job on supplying information. . ..