weird starting problem

[kallador]

This morning I went to start up the ol bird.
(2000 Pontiac Firebird v6)

it wont turn I hear a click but doesn't even knock the engine. One thing I do notice i don't know if it's common but when I turn the key the security light flashes, and if I leave the key in the on position the security light flashes.

Battery level is just below the first yellow line. Checked the fuses and they all seem to be fine. I'm in the process of checking the battery.

But I'm a bit concern if it's something else now.

[Blackbird02]

Re: weird starting problem

You hear the starter click or another kind of click?

[kallador]

Re: weird starting problem

i hear the start click, is what i do mean.

[Blackbird02]

Re: weird starting problem

If the starter clicks it doesn't have anything to do with the VATS (security light) system. You either have a dead battery or a short somewhere.

[kristen]

Re: weird starting problem

do you hear you fuel pump turn on?

[Cool81z28]

Re: weird starting problem

Have you checked your battery terminals?

[Hib Halverson]

Re: weird starting problem

Have you cleaned the VATs resistor in your key?

[cam98aro]

Re: weird starting problem

not a VATS problem, sounds like the battery terminals are dirty, or the battery has just kicked the bucket

[kallador]

Re: weird starting problem

key is good, I'm in the middle of removing the starter for testing purposes.
Battery is brand new, the terminals are all clean.

[1997Canadian3.8]

Re: weird starting problem

Is the battery fully charged? this sounds familiar to me when I had something draining my battery. I went to start the car after only 4 hours and it did the same thing. It was just a dead battery.

[cam98aro]

Re: weird starting problem

key is good, I'm in the middle of removing the starter for testing purposes.
Battery is brand new, the terminals are all clean.

how long ago did you get the battery?

its pretty common for batteries to be dead on arrival, because they sit on the shelves for so long. most of the time you can just charge it and it should work fine

[Cool81z28]

Re: weird starting problem

My car does the same thing every once in a while. After trying a new starter, new battery, new cables and vats bypass nothing worked.

I finally mounted a toggle switch in the dash that was connected to a power source that I spliced into the small wire going to the starter. Now whenever it acts up I can just use the toggle switch to start the car

I know it's not a proper fix but it has worked for me and my car always starts now.

[kallador]

Re: weird starting problem

how long ago did you get the battery?

its pretty common for batteries to be dead on arrival, because they sit on the shelves for so long. most of the time you can just charge it and it should work fine

About 6 months ago, will the battery still show 100% charge and still be DoA ?
Sorry I was dealing with family issues that made me postpone the troubleshooting. lame...

[kallador]

Re: weird starting problem

Battery is good, starter is good.
Found out the the issue was with the VATS system, did the bypass with the 2 orange wires and the resister match from the key and it works just fine now.

[Niko97RS]

Re: weird starting problem

do you have gas