No SECURITY light, no start

[tnova]

Recently I replaced a broken wiper switch in my 1991 ZR1. At the same time I had the intake plenum off to repair a broken secondary vacuum fitting and replace the plug wires. Time to start the car and no SECURITY light and the starter won’t turn over. Spent considerable time going over old posts on this subject and performed all the troubleshooting. The VATS key resistance at the connector under the dash is correct. No CCM or ECM codes result from running diagnostics. When running system light checks using on board diagnostics, the SECURITY light works. Starter doesn’t work when jumping the large purple wire to the solenoid to battery positive with the key on, and clutch depressed. Clutch switch works. The interior lights do not come on when either door is open. Removed Haibeck chip and tried original chip and that didn’t help, put the Haibeck chip back in. Battery is charged. Except for no SECURITY light, all looks normal when key is in the run position. There’s no draw down on the circuit when go to start so appears to be an open somewhere or the VATS is not talking to the start circuit. I want to retain the VATS because I live near San Diego and work in San Diego and the border to the south is an open road for stolen vehicles. Any insight or help would be greatly appreciated.

[GOLDCYLON]

Get a load test done on the battery. It may have an internal short.

Was the car able to start before you replaced the turn signal switch ?

[scottfab]

OK, you've done some great isolation already. Stay focused on the purple wire. If you don't get so much as a "click" from the starter find out why. If you apply 12V from the bat to the purple wire the bendix solenoid should engage. (make sure you're in neutral)
The bad news is if there is no click you're back into plenum time again.
(make sure it's the right purple wire)

[tccrab]

<snip> Starter doesn’t work when jumping the large purple wire to the solenoid to battery positive with the key on, and clutch depressed. <snip>


Smoking gun right there.
Problems with VATS aside, if there is 12 volts on the purple wire, the starter is going to turn.
If it can.
In your case, I would be very suspicious of the starter. Maybe a stuck solenoid, bad ground, something.

'Crabs

[bradley]

how did you ck the clutch switch??? if you turn the key and there is no change on the volt meter in the car with the clutch depressed then it could be the clutch switch . you can by pass it with a jumper wire .

[tnova]

To all thanks. Yup, afraid need to get to the starter. That doesn't help the no SECURITY light though.

[mike100]

I seem to recall my Tech1 has VATS condition in the data stream- that could be an easy way to eliminate that. The only problem I ever had was when I forgot to put the fuse for the airbag back in, but you still get a crank with no start.

[tnova]

Mike100- Thanks. I'll look into that. My diagnostic tool won't even recognize the ZR1, as well as some others. Time to invest in a TEch1. I see we're in the same area of San Diego. Once my '91 is running I'll arrange a rendezvous. Tnova.

[We Gone]

Not sure if this will help, Years ago My wife's 95 LT1 would not start due to vats. I traced the wires from the switch and spliced in the correct resistor to match the key, still working today.

[mike100]

Mike100- Thanks. I'll look into that. My diagnostic tool won't even recognize the ZR1, as well as some others. Time to invest in a TEch1. I see we're in the same area of San Diego. Once my '91 is running I'll arrange a rendezvous. Tnova.

I have a Tech1A- work nearby in R.B., could let you plug in if it would help- but it sounds like the starter itself if I understand your troubleshooting so far. let me know.

[bradley]

getting to the starter isn't bad at all.do a thread search here I do believe that there are some very good pictures on how to do it . just get a set of plenum gaskets from jerry gaskets first . wish I was closer I could come over and walk you through it . but I am 350 miles away .

[tnova]

An update. The no start was a starter problem only. Replaced the starter and the car started right up. No Security light and no courtesy lights when the doors are open but I think that is an issue with the door switches.