Freakin car won't start...Help please...

[TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO]

Ok, so my car is fine up until this morning. I go to start it to go to work, and when I turn the key on, the fans come on, the radio comes on, lights, etc, but when i crank it all the way to start it, nothing happens. No click from the starter, nothing.
So, I think, must be the "chip" in the key is dirty or something. Nope. Even tried using my wife's key. The security light flashes, but doesn't stay on. The battery is brand new. I pulled the cables off and cleaned them. There was a little bit of corrosion on the positive connector, but nothing substantial. I checked the starter fuse and it is fine. I checked the PCM fuse, fine. I am at a loss.
Could it be the starter? Is there anything else I should try to get it going before I pay out the butt to have it towed to a shop and worked on? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I had to borrow my wife's car for my 35 mile commute and she was too pleased. Thanks in advance, guys.


P.s. I don't think this could have anything to do with it. But when I opened the hood this morning, I noticed that when I changed my oil a week or so ago, I forgot to put the oil filler cap back on. But, like I said, it started and ran fine till this morning.

[Joe 1320]

I know it's a new battery, but what is it's voltage?

[TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO]

The guage is showing right below the 13V mark. What worries me is that the security light is flashing. The manual says that if the light is flashing and it won't start, it needs servicing. A mechainic friend of my parents told me that there is a small wire that supplies the power for the pass key system, that runs from the ignition key cylinder down to the base of the steering clumn that tends to break from years of wear. He said that if that wire did break then it could be causing my problem. This thing is starting to sound like it is going to be very expensive.

[Joshu]

The guage is showing right below the 13V mark. What worries me is that the security light is flashing. The manual says that if the light is flashing and it won't start, it needs servicing. A mechainic friend of my parents told me that there is a small wire that supplies the power for the pass key system, that runs from the ignition key cylinder down to the base of the steering clumn that tends to break from years of wear. He said that if that wire did break then it could be causing my problem. This thing is starting to sound like it is going to be very expensive.

That is EXACTLY what happened to me with the '94. It was $500 to replace at a chevy dealership. New lock cylinder and labor for that.

[Rob B (shoebox)]

The guage is showing right below the 13V mark. What worries me is that the security light is flashing. The manual says that if the light is flashing and it won't start, it needs servicing. A mechainic friend of my parents told me that there is a small wire that supplies the power for the pass key system, that runs from the ignition key cylinder down to the base of the steering clumn that tends to break from years of wear. He said that if that wire did break then it could be causing my problem. This thing is starting to sound like it is going to be very expensive.

Easy to bypass with a resistor for less than $1 to get you going again.

Try cleaning your key and lock cylinder first.

http://shbox.com/1/pass_key.html

http://shbox.com/1/vats_bypass.jpg

[TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO]

That is EXACTLY what happened to me with the '94. It was $500 to replace at a chevy dealership. New lock cylinder and labor for that.

Argghh. That's what I was afraid of. Just plopped down 1100 bucks that I don't have on airline tickets for my wife and I to go to my in-laws for Christmas, too. Man, just when I started to get close to paying off my credit cards. I hate car trouble. Let me ask you guys, would you recommend getting it towed to the local "Auto repair" fix-all shop, or bite the bullet and send it to a dealership where they, at least, are used to dealing with the Pass Key system? I am pretty torn on this decision.

[Rob B (shoebox)]

Read my post.

[99Firebird3800]

I'd say that before you go spending any money at a dealer, pull the starter and have it bench tested at your local auto parts store. A starter is MUCH cheaper than going to a dealer to have them butt-rape you. And the test is free, minus your time to pull it and have it checked out.

If it tests okay, then I'd look into Rob's post. $1 resistor fixes are the best kind.

[Joe 1320]

Read my post.

#1

[Joshu]

Yeah I followed Rob's website for help and I did the bypass to no avail. It was that damn (i think white) wire that snapped.

Def. try the bypass.

[Craig 94 TA GT]

If you need to replace the key lock cylinder, you can do it yourself. It is a painful process and you will need a steering wheel puller and a steering lock plate removal tool, but it's all do-able. You just have to remember how things came out, and put all components in a safe place - there are wavy washers, etc. I think it cost me about $100 for the lock cylinder, new key and the new key programmed to match the resistance. The tools were an additional $20 total, but you can use them any time you need to pull the wheel again.

[sneitzel]

If you need to replace the key lock cylinder, you can do it yourself. It is a painful process and you will need a steering wheel puller and a steering lock plate removal tool, but it's all do-able. ...... The tools were an additional $20 total, but you can use them any time you need to pull the wheel again.

You can also "borrow" these tools from Auto Zone. You also need to pay attention to the procedure for working around the airbag ie proper procedure to disable it before removal. That could be one costly surprise you don't want.

[TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO]

Yeah I followed Rob's website for help and I did the bypass to no avail. It was that damn (i think white) wire that snapped.

Def. try the bypass.

So, if the wire is snapped, then the bypass won't work? I guess because the white wire is what you are splicing the resistor into? Ok, now I just need to go out and buy a voltmeter. I think I'll give that a try and then if that doesn't work I will be getting it toed to the nearest dealership.

[Joshu]

So, if the wire is snapped, then the bypass won't work? I guess because the white wire is what you are splicing the resistor into? Ok, now I just need to go out and buy a voltmeter. I think I'll give that a try and then if that doesn't work I will be getting it toed to the nearest dealership.

To be honest I don't know. It's either true or I did the bypass mod wrong.

[sneitzel]

Ok, now I just need to go out and buy a voltmeter.

Any excuse to go and buy a new tool...