96 Camaro, Won't turn over, clicking under dash

A guy at work just went out to start his 96 Camaro (5.7, 5 speed). He said that he turned the key, dash lit up normally and when he tried to start it, everything went dead.

Now there is a very noticeable clicking nose coming from under the dash in the area of the glove compartment. It sounds like a relay opening and closing 2 or 3 times per second, even without the key in.

I know nothing about these cars and we don't have access to a shop manual. What should we look for?

dead battery.

Nope, new battery.

But, I got it to start. Looks like it was a problem with the factory anti theft system. Disconnected the battery to reset the system, cleaned the security pellet on the key, sent some contact cleaner into the ignition cylinder and it started right up.

Willing to bet it was a product of those damn GM side terminal batteries. They have been the problem 3/4 of the time whenever a friend with a GM product needs help.

The VATS system in that vintage Camaro has chip in the key that has a resistor in it. The system has to see the proper resistance or it will not allow the car to start. There are 2 very thin wires that run up the steering column to carry the signal to the ECU. They are known to break. There is a plug towards the bottom of the column where the column part of the wires plugs into the main harness. If you unplug the connector and cut the wires on the column side of the plug you can make your own bypass by putting a permanent resistor in the circuit. Plugh your resistor back in and it should work.. More detailed instructions are available with a Google search.

Thanks King. I found that site and it's what got me looking at the VATS system for the fix.

http://vats.likeabigdog.com/

http://www.adaptiveperformance.com/vats.htm

Just had the same thing happen on a 95 Camaro. $.50 cents at Radio Shack and it was fixed!

By the way. On the 2009 Challenge Porvette, we tried the "store bought" solution in your link to defeat the VATS in the transplanted LT1. We couldn't get it to work! The DIY solution worked there too.

Apexcarver wrote: Willing to bet it was a product of those damn GM side terminal batteries. They have been the problem 3/4 of the time whenever a friend with a GM product needs help.

That was my guess. Bane of my existence, those terminals.

BTW I believe that there is a VATS relay near the glove box that can also be bypassed with a jumper wire. Could also be a bad relay.

Yes. VATS. I had to do the same thing to my Aurora.

Step 1. Measure the resistance of the "pellet" on the key

Step 2. Buy resistors from Radio Shack matching resistance of key

Step 3. Splice resistors into wire that feeds ignition. look for a dark grey shielding containing 2 white wires.

no more key reader and the cars starts

with pics for Camaro

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/electronics/576154-vats.html

First step with any GM with side terminals: Cut away the red plastic covering the positive terminal. Then clean the exposed terminal with a wire brush and baking soda solution. Life will be so much easier!