Hi, I'm brand new to Camaros.net and have a problem that has the mechanics stumped. So far I've had new parts installed that apparently weren't bad (by the Chevrolet Service at my local dealership and have two other mechanics stumped) as the problem still exists. To start it off, I have a 1994 Camaro 3.8 V6 with the factory anti-theft system installed (has the resistive device on the key). The problem is as follows: Randomly the car won't start and doesn't engage the solenoid or turn the starter motor. I has happened with the motor hot and the motor cold. Let the car set and later it will start. Always it is the same soleniod doesn't engage and the starter doesn't turnover. After setting for a time you get in and it starts right up. I've had it towed to the local garage after setting all day and not starting and the next morning it starts. The most recent occurrence it set in the school parking lot for 36 hours and wouldn't start so I had it towed to my home and put in my garage where it set for two more days before it magically started again. Any ideas out there?

Welcome to Team Camaro

Please don't spam all the forums with the same post - http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=90312

Also, did you try to 'search' for the answer? If you use the search funtion above you'll find this question has been answered several hundred times - even though this is for the most part a 1st Gen site - but you probably didn't read that either ...

Delete all the others and just go with one, some will try to help you.

hello Im nick

welcome tomcat38, do a search like Vintage 68 says.. the more you post on differant threads the less likey anyone will be willing to help..do the search first and if that doesn't work.. then on your one post after deleting the others..give it some time for people to view it..when you find your answear post what the problem ended up being, that way others will come across and learn from your exp. good luck..

For all who wonder, I searched all over the internet for a solution for this problem and yes there are more than 100 answers out there. For the most part however, the symptoms given for the problems/solutions I found don't match my problem. I only put this on the troubleshooting and hello lists. Didn't know they were all connected so I won't do it again. When I find out what the problem is I will post it.

Have you tried "autmotiveforums.com" ?
Lots of people post up late model problems on that site for advise from mechanics.
Here is one link to mainly Chevy stuff - http://www.automotiveforums.com/f1465-problem_diagnosis.html

As answered by others, if it cranks and won't start it's usually the VATS preventing it.
If there are other symptoms then it is probably wiring or work done previously that disturbed the wiring system.
Any good Auto-Electric or Stereo & Alarm shop tech. in your area should be able to help you out with VATS problems and/or bypass the system with the correct resistor to see if it eleviates the issue.

Welcome to TC.......as stated, check all your connections from the ignition switch to the starter. I'm not familiar with the VATS operation, but it might be possible that the chip on your key is bad.

Welcome to TC.......as stated, check all your connections from the ignition switch to the starter. I'm not familiar with the VATS operation, but it might be possible that the chip on your key is bad.

I agree. If the cyl turns, but no crank, then you can narrow it down to a few things. I would first check that the key is in good shape, replace it if it's still the original key. The chips can be damaged, and then not work. I hae seen good chips get damaged by the cutting machine, so we cut them by hand now for the VATS keys.

You may also have a bad ignition swtch, which may/not recognize the key, but still not let it crank. That leaves a bad starter/solenoid, which is probably the first place everyone looks. The ground for the circuit could be bad, or there could be a short along the harness as well.