HELP Ignition Switch? Security Sys???

[newguy84]

A few day ago I asked about security system not fully disarming? At that time I had no horn beeping but ignition did not work. I armed and disarmed the system and fiddled around and finally it started. Well today when I unlocked the door and tried to start the car... nothing. I fiddled around a while and still nothing. I am not a home, I'm at my work apartment, and do not have my tools with me. I did manage to get a screwdrive and pliers and pull the fuse behind the info panel but nothing.

I'm I may have it towed to a local mechanic in the morning and wanted to know what I might suggest for him to try prior to replacing the ignition switch.

Another question is, do you have to drop the steering on a 1984 to replace the switch? My haynes book really is not clear. Replacing the switch section follows the replacing the key lock system. It sometimes seems to mix up 84's with later years.

Any Ideas would be helpful.. I'm at the local library and will not have access to internet after about 8 p.m. Thanks

[JonM]

Is nothing happening when you turn the key?..It may be the starter or it may be the wires running into the starter. They are located next to the exaust pipe and they get hot and corroded. After 21 years they may need looking at. The steering doesn't have to be removed to change the switch, bit even if it did, its only a 30 minute job. A few bolts and unplug the harness.

[newguy84]

JonM,
Thanks for the reply. I got it going for now but here is what happened, any suggestions. I've noticed when I lock the car it sometimes will not disengage the VATS (i think it's called, alarm), the alarm does not go off but the ignition will not work. Last night after viewing a few old postings, I disconnected the battery for a few minutes, unlocked the passenger door and tried to start it still nothing. Then I realized that the hatch was still open so I closed it, relocked and unlocked it and it cranked but would not start. I checked the injectors and no fuel. The guage showed about 1/8 tank but I had heard that they are often wrong. This morning I put a gallon of gas in it and cranked a while and yippie! it started. When I filled it up with gas it took almost 17 gallons so it should have had about 2 gallons in it. I usually don't run it this low but, sometimes I ain't very smart.

I have a few questions I'd like your, as well as others, input on please.
1. Will an 84 be "out of gas" with about 2 gallons in it?

2. Will pulling the fuse behind the information center make the alarm sys completly disabled? If not how can you completly disable it?

3. When the ignition switch fails, does it go out completly or could it be sorta hit and miss.

4. Can any of you think of anything else that could cause this weird behavior.

Thanks again for your reply and I hope to hear from you all agian and hope I'm being too much of a PITA.
Dave

[JonM]

1. Will an 84 be "out of gas" with about 2 gallons in it?

Yes, it could happen...if you think about it...you have a 20 gallon tank and two gallons would most likely bring the fuel up an inch or so...also the tank is ovel and the unit that sits in the tank may not be the best design in the world. Their is also a sock on the end of the pickup tube that may be in need of changing.

2. Will pulling the fuse behind the information center make the alarm sys completly disabled? If not how can you completly disable it?

If I were you, I would reach up under the hush pad on the passenger side and unplug the module. Their are three fuses associated with the alarm system. One being the fuse you took out already...that gives the system power...the next one is the radio fuse, this one powers the Ignition switch disarm input...(this is where you seem to be having part of your problem, the other may be the door switches) and the third fuse CTSY/CLK fuse which works the warning light.

3. When the ignition switch fails, does it go out completly or could it be sorta hit and miss.

I would think it could become intermittent...but i for one don't think its your problem. check those wires I mentioned above, and disarm the alarm.

[jmccloud]

Do a search using the tab above for 'VATS'. The VATS may be bypassed, there are lots of threads with schematics, etc. that tell how to do the bypass either as a troubleshooting tool or permanently.
I don't know if your VATS is the same as my '95 but here's what mine did.
The '95 VATS will lock out the ignition circuit for about 5-10 minutes if the wrong (dirty, etc,) key is used repeatedly to try and start the car. So if the key is damaged or the tumblers get dirty and you have a repeated start fail due to VATS, you must wait.
My experience was that my tumblers got 'sticky' so I shot some graphite lube into the key slot. As I did so, I thought 'OH CRAP' the VATS will get screwed up by the resistance change (graphite will make the value go low). Sure enough, about two weeks later I got a no starts due to VATS failure. Read the owners manual and discovered the waiting period. Luckily there were some spongy earplugs in the glove box and they worked well to 'swab' out the key slot. After a few minutes, it started right up. A couple of months later, happened again and cleaning worked again.
I won't put graphite into the tumblers again either.
By the way, get a Helms manual set (about$135 list and often on e-bay for 1/2 price or so). The Haynes manual will lead you astray.
Good luck
PS The VATS system is separate from the alarm system.