I just fixed a starting issue with my 96 Z28 by searching for info from this site. My wife tells me that the battery is dead in the Camaro and I can't believe it because it was replaced less than six months ago. I am currently an aircraft maintenance inspector with over 25 years of wrenching and inspecting aircraft, 20 of that with a major airline. So I start troubleshooting.

I look at the maintenance eye on the battery and it was solid green. I then tried to start it up and it acted like a dead battery. I threw on a battery charger and it started right up. Shut it down and tried again, the low battery symptoms appeared again. I was wondering WTF? The battery was fully charged and it was acting like a dead battery. I looked on the net for info and came across this site. I looked at all of the starter threads and went back to troubleshooting.

I got it into the garage and tried starting it again and nothing (boy was I lucky). I had lights, radio, horn,fuel pump primed, etc,security light was steady and went out, but not a starter solenoid click. All of the fuses were good. I checked what I thought was the clutch saftey switch (white bodied plunger switch) by shorting the plug, no help. I then jumped the solenoid and the starter cranked. I then ran two wires into the passenger compartment hooked to the positive lead on the solenoid and ground all hooked up to a voltmeter and I had no voltage to the wire while turning the key. I then jumped the solenoid with the key in the on position and it fired right up. I was getting worried at this point. I bench checked the relay for the anti theft device and it was working.

I was really worried at this point figuring it was gonna cost big bucks to troubleshoot and fix. So I call the stealership and get an appointment for Saturday. Well for poops and giggles I looked at the clutch switch again and noticed a black switch that is actuated by pushing on the clutch a few inches away. So I take off the plug and shorted it, turned the key and it cranked over and started!!! I was happy and feeling like an *** at the same time because I just burnt 2 hours chasing my own tail and was ready to have a dealer technician trouble shoot it down to a switch that I missed. The dealer had a switch and I installed it and everything is now great!!

Sorry this was so long winded but I just wanted to share a little embarassing moment that turned out OK because of all of the previous threads on starting issues. Again thanks to all and especially CamaroZ28.com

Sincerely,
Ed

 

Maybe you chased it with a schematic like this. Glad you got 'er fixed up!

 

Shoebox I did use the wiring diagram from your website as a reference. Thank you for having it there.