Engine not cranking. Not sure if its starter or?

Tiny
AXL420
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
My 92 camaro just died while I was driving. I tried to restart it, but it just "clicks" I tried to jump the solenoid with a screwdriver, but when I did that the wheel inside the starter just spun. Didnt sound like it was engaging the flywheel. I'm really hopin the engine isnt seized up
Friday, April 10th, 2009 AT 7:36 PM

34 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Maybe the starter drive is too far from the flexplate and needs shimming or its engaging the engine but starter overrunning clutch is slipping.

This guide can help us

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

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Friday, April 10th, 2009 AT 7:42 PM
Tiny
AXL420
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It really does seem like a starter problem. The only thing that is throwing me off is the way it just died. I know the car was low on oil, but it wasnt bone dry so I dont see why it would've seized up.
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Friday, April 10th, 2009 AT 7:54 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try turning the crankshaft 720degs if it does than its not seized up
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Friday, April 10th, 2009 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
AXL420
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you so much for your help. I'm goin to get the car towed back home now. Wish me luck. Lol
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Friday, April 10th, 2009 AT 8:54 PM
Tiny
ALTHEAME
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1992 CHEVROLET CAMARO
Engine Mechanical problem
1992 Chevy Camaro V8 Front Wheel Drive Automatic

Hi,

My son's camaro won't start. He has gas in it but when he turns the key in the ignition, the car just makes the sound like it starting up but never actually "catches" and starts.

I know this is sketchy info but I'm wondering if you can give me some ideas of what he might check.

Thank you.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do below and comeback with some results

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MDEPAOLO
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • 1992 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
I have a 1992 Chevy Camaro (V8). When I turn the key to crank the engine, it cranks very slowly (one crank every few seconds) and sounds nowhere near what it should when a normal engine cranks. It will eventually turn over out of the blue after a while (like you are not expecting it to turn over and all of a sudden it does). Basically the crank sounds very weak and like I said very slow in between. The engine already idles low (500-750) and not sure if that has an impact on this problem. One other thing to add is that this crank problem seems to happen more often if car is warm when attempting to start and has been started recently.

Thank you for any input, this is my brother's car and he is in dire need of any outside input.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JETSA
  • MEMBER
  • 117 POSTS
Starter worn out, weak battery, poor connection of the battery cables comes to mind. Any of these are common causes of that condition, however worn out starter sounds most likely especially since you said it does it worse after a heatsoak (after driving). Might whip into an Autozone and let them do a free check while its happening.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RED_WING45
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
  • 1991 CHEVROLET CAMARO
Electrical problem
1991 Chevy Camaro 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

i have a 91 camaro, I put a starter in it wont start. The guy got a key cut, he said from a dealer. Whats wrong help. Ty john
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
John if you can give me a biit more info, I need to know if it cranks? Or does nothing?
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RED_WING45
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Hi, john here my 91 camaro does not start or nothing no sound at all. The guy cut a key for it.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RED_WING45
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
I have a key but no chip in it. Can I get a used ingition and key from a junk yard and make it work.
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-1
Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
It may be the wrong key, or it may be the wire for keysense broke in the column, but it sounds like an ignition/key problem, Do all lights and radio work? Or is the car dead? And have you checked the cable going to the starter?

Some dont even have the chip. It can be the starer solenoid at the starter on GM. For an "engine not cranking" condition with A/T, determine if condition exists in both Park and Neutral positions. If condition occurs in one position and not other, a more probable cause is neutral start switch.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_NSS_1.jpg

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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RED_WING45
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Can I use another ingition from another 91 camaro
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FREDDY12
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 CHEVROLET CAMARO
I recently bought a 91 camaro, this car is a project car from top tp bottom. Meaning it needs a lot of work. The motor had been replaced at one time or another and I need to put a new starter on. My question is: how to I find out what motor is in there? It is a 8 cyc. Gm motor, that I know for sure, but is it a 5.0 or a 5.7 liter I don't know. I was going to take in the old starter but it didn't fit right to start with, it kept slipping on the fly wheel and it had about 1/2 inch of shims under the one side to make it fit that good. I need help on how to find out what year and size the motor is so I can get the right parts for it.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
E40WATER12
  • MECHANIC
  • 522 POSTS
If you look under near the drivers side of the engine block near the motor mount, There should be a # stamp stating the motor info 350 or 305, The both motors are the same for parts, Just cyl bore is bigger, Block length are the same.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Yes but you need to reassemble it without breaking the wire. But you should test for power at these other locations. If the VIN was given to the Dealer that made the key, they should have given him the right one. Neutral saftey, bad connections at starter, bad starter, or blown fuse can all do this to you! Checked all fuses? Even the ones under the hood? Checked for power at the wires on the starter when in crank?
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RED_WING45
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Do you know the ohms for a 91 camaro was going to try to bypass the vat system
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
The original Key needs to be looked at for a resistor chip, then measured...Call Chevy dealer with your VIN and see if the can look it up "as built" Then you'll know for sure. Behind the right side of the dash is the passenger key decoder module. If it has one, then your car should have a chip on the key.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_cam_1.jpg

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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RED_WING45
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
I dont have the original key for my 91 camaro. Dealers want alot of money to help.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)

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