VATS/No start question

[Baldie88]

I tried this in another post but didn't get a replay so maybe I'll ask it in a different way. I've had my 88 for about 18 months and last week was the first time it wouldn't start. Battery is new. Lights and all electric seem to work. Turn the key and nothing happens. Thinking it was the VATS I put the key in, turned to the on position and waited about 5 minutes. Nothing happened. Took the key out, waited about 20 minutes tried it and it started right up. I did a search on VATS and found a bunch of posts. How can I tell if it's the VATS or the starter enable switch or any one of seemingly hundred other things that could go wrong? I've driven it around several times since this no start condition with no problem. But I don't trust the darn thing. The local club is going on a road trip in 2 weeks and I don't want to get stranded with the darn thing 100 miles from home. ad

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Ken]

I never did figure mine out, and it's history now, but is your Vette a manual trans and does it start if you push it and pop the clutch? Mine did; that's what made it so difficult to find the source of the problem. And it only happened intermittently - ya never knew when it would happen!

 

[c4fan]

My 87 does the same thing from time to time. I normally just hook a set of jumper cables to it and it starts, but recently discovered if I drop the hood a little, it starts up. I'm going to get the VATS bypass to avoid further embarrassment.

 

[Ken]

I had that bypass, yet it still happened whenever it felt like it.

_ken

 

[Baldie88]

Car is an automatic so a running start isn't possible. I'll put a set of jumper cables in it if jumping helps.

The fun never ends. We've had about 10" of rain in the last week. Cut my grass in the rain (or I'd have to bale it!) and got the lawnmower stuck in the back yard. Broke a tooth this afternoon and then the alternator went out on my daily driver! When it rains it pours!!!! Some days I'd rather just stick my head under the pillow and never come out. :cry

As for the VATS I'm going to try another key until I can get it into the shop. Have to replace the MAF burnoff sensor anyway.

 

[dburgjohn]

Park Switch

There is another switch that does not allow starting if the car is not in park. Not sure where it is on your car though. I have seen it on other (non vette) cars on the steering column or on the shifter. Sounds like everything broke at once on you so maybe you are due some good luck now.