Hi all,

Went xmas shopping last night. Got into my car and tried to start it but nothing happened. All dash lights came on, guages did their sweep, turned key to start but all I hear is a click under the dash and a faint click from under the hood where the cowling and all the fuses and relays are located. Security light flashes when I try to start the car. Now I did a search on this problem and I tried to clean my key and I also used a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to clean the VATS contacts that are visible just inside the ignition switch. They were dirty so I cleaned them until no dirt came off on th swab. Tried to satrt it but still no go. Any ideas? My car is stranded in a mall parking lot.

By the way The security light would flash intermittently the last few times I drove the car but would stop if I jiggled the key or turned off the car and started it again. It never affected the way the car ran or made it cut out. Could my ignition switch be the culprit? Are they a PITA to change?

Any help would be appreciated.

92 SSE

If you are in fact getting a clicking when you try to start, then it'* not likely to be the VATS system. The VATS system will completely disallow the car to be started (i.e., when you turn the key to the "start" position, you'll get nothing). The clicking is an indication of a weak battery or a starter that has just gone bad.

How many volts is your battery putting out?

The battery is only a few months old. I have never had a problem with the starter. Wouldn't the starter show signs of going before it gave out? The clicking is coming from relays under the passenger side kick panel and under the cowling below the wipers where all the maxi-fuses and relays are located, not from the starter. I use the tilt steering function a lot, could the VATS wire in the column have broken because of this?

That sign is more then likely the VATS. IF it'* a starter issue.. the lights won't be flickering on and off.. and especially while car is already started.. definitely check the wiring on the steering column.. wiggle the wire while you're checkin for Voltage to see if it fluctuates showing intermitent jumps.. bad wiring. I don't know bout the maxi-fuse as I never had to go thru there for my issue with startup

If you would like to check the starter and starter solenoid.. put car to on the next time it won't start.. use a booster cable and a long screw driver.. put one end to battery positive and the other end to screw driver.. CAREFULLY connect it to the starter solenoid wires. if it runs fine.. then it might be the solenoid.. if it starts then dies. then thats cause of the VATS.

I actually had the same exact problem tonight when a few of us were on our way out to dinner. After several failed attempts, I turned the key to the on position and let it sit there until it went through it'* "pre-flight" check.(Mostly out of frustration) Once it was done with that, I tried to start it up, and it took right off, no muss, no fuss.

Hope this helps at least a little

i had the same problem i dsiconnected the battery cables and cleaned them and reconnected them and i am good to go