Dreaded "No Start"

[tccrab]

Nice day today, sunny and warm.
Took the top off of girlfriend and went for a short drive up to my work(about 10 miles).
Was busy for about an hour inside, then went out to go home.
Turned the key to On, listen for the the vaccum pump & fuel pumps to light off, waited the obligatory 10 seconds, then turned the key to engage the starter.
Nothing.
No crank.
I say to myself, this has happened before...
Since the first episode I always carry a second key, which I try, no joy. Does the same thing.
Checked battery leads and fuses, all seem OK.
Not a VATS issue, the security light blinks and goes out.
Interesting side note, when turning the key to the Start position, I notice that the Brake light illuminates even though the parking brake is off. Don't know if that's normal. Never noticed before.
Not getting voltage to starter is my diagnosis.
Time to see if there's voltage to the purple wire in the main harness under the hood. I pull back on the covering and lo and behold, looks like the PO had issues too because there's a hole poked in the wire.
A LARGE hole.
I stick my meter's positive lead into hole in the wire, and ground wire on a bolt on the plenum.
I turned the key to Start, and start she does with a loud backfire!!!
BANG!!
Big puff of smoke from the engine and then I hear a loud hissssssssss
from the back of the plenum, the MAP sensor vacuum line had blown off.
So I dig around back there, finally locate the hose and reconnect it.
The funky dual tip hose thingy for the PVC is getting really gummy, I guess I'll have to look into getting another. I seem to recall that they are NLA from GM. I can always cobble something together in the mean time.

I'm guessing that the large hole in the purple wire has something to do with the no start condition, probably corrosion of the copper conductor inside the wire. I was so excited about the car starting I didn't see what the voltage reading was when the starter engaged. It seems to start up fine now that I'm back home. Of course, I left my voltage meter back at the lab. *darn*
I'm thinking I'll remove the covering on that large harness and cut out that bad section of wire and replace it with similar wire. I'm also thinking of doing a direct start relay mod bypassing the VATS and clutch safety switch.
Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Part of me says, replace the wire and the problem might go away. The other side of me says, put in a direct start mod and the problem WILL GO AWAY FOREVER.
The choice seems pretty clear.
I guess I'll be stopping by the local parts shop tomorrow...


TomC
90ZR1 #792

[tomtom72]

Hi Tom,

I don't see how a hole in the insulation could stop current flow unless there was a path to metal close by to cause a "jump", there by diverting the current from the starter. Could there have been a loose ground that was disturbed "correctively" when you were in among the wires?

I know over at the NetReg site there is in the "How to" section a write up on making your own PCV holder replacement, Mr Blanchard is the author...I think?

I was not aware that you could by-pass the VATS & the clutch saftey switch. That sounds to me to be a most favorable "corrective" solution to potiential failures!

Sorry to jump in here with no "answers"!
Sometimes I hate modern "electronic" cars....makes me long for my 72 LT-1....the car was so simple comparred to my ZR-1!

Tom