Electrical Problem?

[/97/Camaro]

I have a 1997 Camaro, almost completely stock.

Recently I've been having an issue with my ignition/interior lights. When you turn the car off the interior lights aren't to come on until after you take the key out of the ignition. Well for about a week the lights would come on right as soon as I turned the car off, before I would take the key out of the ignition.

Now, I turn the car off and take the key out of the ignition and the lights don't come on until I open the door.

I'm not sure if this is a related issue or not, but the other night I had trouble keeping my car started. This is very uncommon for my car, as it has been very reliable for me and this is a first. I tried starting the car twice and each time it died. I started it again and gave it some gas and it stayed started, and I've had no trouble with it since.

My first thought about this situation was the VATS system. But I'm not getting the security light on my dash. What could this be caused by?

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Electrical Problem?

Sounds to me like your ignition switch. Does it seem a bit loose?

[/97/Camaro]

Re: Electrical Problem?

The ignition feels pretty good, I didn't notice any difference with it regarding being loose or anything.

I also forgot to mention that when I have the key in the ignition the whole way and I have the drivers side door open I don't get the little ding noise that I'm supposed to.

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Electrical Problem?

Try moving your steering wheel around (unlocked and locked). Does it seem to have any slack?

When you turned the key, was it easy? Did it start or no?

I would also get under the dash and check around the steering column that all the wires are properly plugged into whatever they need be. Make sure theyre tight...

[Rob Bell]

Re: Electrical Problem?

Mine is an '02 Bird with about 86K on it. It's doing something similar. Sometimes the lights flick on and off. If I jiggle the ignition switch when it's in the Off position and the key is inserted I can reproduce the problem. So something's getting loose in there. Other than that my ignition switch feels perfectly fine. Eventually it will have to be fixed, but it's not bad enough at this point. But we all know these cars are prone to ignition switch issues.