'87 Vette Starting Problems

[chuckndonna67]

This problem right now is OCCASIONAL but could become chronic so I want to nip it in the bud now: when parked uphill on an incline, car will not start. It shows good battery but no click when trying to start it....nothing happens, just silence. This is an automatic transmission so when I take it out of Park and let it roll back just a bit and jam it back into Park (not good, I know!!) it will turn over and start. I am trying to decipher whether this is a Starter problem or a Transmission problem with the interlock system???? There doesn't seem to be any problem on level ground. The transmission has no other problems other than a very small fluid leak. Help Please. CAB:confused;help

 

[TWISTERUP]

neutral safety switch ?

Sounds like a neutral safety switch problem from your description-when it will not start I would try holding the key in the start position (foot on the brake) and slowly move the shifter from park-reverse-neutral and drive if it cranks or tries to crank as you move the shifter. I would replace the neutral safety switch (may just be a adjustment , but I'd replace it)

Second thing would be VATS-- '87 was the first year and the earlier years did have some problems--ie ign key and/or the VATS contacts in the ign switch-But I would test the neutral safety switch.

 

[chuckndonna67]

Re Vette Starting Problems

Sounds like a neutral safety switch problem from your description-when it will not start I would try holding the key in the start position (foot on the brake) and slowly move the shifter from park-reverse-neutral and drive if it cranks or tries to crank as you move the shifter. I would replace the neutral safety switch (may just be a adjustment , but I'd replace it)

Second thing would be VATS-- '87 was the first year and the earlier years did have some problems--ie ign key and/or the VATS contacts in the ign switch-But I would test the neutral safety switch.

That's worth a try the next time the problem occurs. As far as the VATS thing if it starts ok all other times other than on an incline I would not suspect VATS. But whom am I to know. I could work on my 56 BelAir but these Vette engines are a mystery to me! Anybody else with ideas??