Hello All...

Happy Memorial Day.

My car (92 SSEi) has been a little on the crazy side lately. I put the key in, turn, nothing. No click, no turning over, nothing. I wait a little bit, starts up. That was the first time. Second time, at a gas station car had been running for about an hour. I went to start it, gpt NOTHING. Let it sit for a little bit and after a jump (because I was trying for a while to get her started) she fired right up. Today, I tried to start it and it was like I was turning the key from "run" to "start" pretty quickly... I checked the cables for loose connections and corrosion, all good. I crawled underneath and tightened up the connections on the solenoid and it is still happening.

Any ideas?

I am leaning towards possible Neutral Safety SW or the ignition SW. Would VATS have anything to do with this?

Thanks for the help!

Turn the key to the run position & see how long the Security light stays on. Give me a couple minutes & I'll add a wiring diagram.

Here'* the diagram.
If the security light is staying on for more than a few seconds then it'* a Vats issue. If not see if you have 12 volts going to the purple wire on the starter solenoid when the key is turned to the start position.

Agreed. Rule out VATS..then move on to soleniod.

I don't have the "security" light.... not that I can see... did they have that in 92? my 93 buick has it... I don't think the Bonneville does...

If it were VATS... would I get the starter to turn but NO spark or fuel? ---OR--- would I get NO attempt to start (no power to the starter)?

Vats would disable the starter & fuel injectors. According to my wiring diagrams Vats was added to the Bonneville in 92. You may have a bad light bulb. The key to narrowing this down is if you're getting 12 volts to the purple wire.

Does this mean it was like chattering off and on quickly at the starter?

Bad battery? Low voltage? Bad solenoid?

Rule out the PN Safety switch by checking for codes with a paperclip. Procedure is in Techinfo.

Did you PULL THE BOOTS off the battery cable ends when you inspected for corrosion? Most don't, and you can't see it when it hides in there.

We get about a dozen of these a month, and you have the classic symptoms. HOWEVER, you need to inspect and clean EVERY end of EACH cable going to or from your battery.

I am getting power, just not consitently... seems like it is a loose connection WITHOUT being a loose connection.... according to you, I should get NOTHING to the starter.

I shall just remedy this and put on NEW cables... I did take them all apart and used the Baking Soda and they were clean. hmmm. I will get to this over the weekend.... Thanks guys!

If the cables are clean..don't replace them. The less variables you introduce and more tests/diagnostics will help resolve this quicker.

Honestly..it sounds as if you have low power. Have your battery checked at your local parts store.