I have a 1997 3.8 Camaro, 5 speed (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.

Anybody have any ideas?

 

First check the grounds and Bat. cables for attachment and corrosion.
Then check the Bat. and running voltage.
If all is good, check the BCM (body control modual), it controls all the timing and on/off for the lights etc.
Don't think the two problems are related unless it's a general low volts problem!!

 

I have been wanting to replace my battery since last winter. I accidentally drained it down once to where it wouldn't start for me, and before that it was getting pretty bad anyway. I'll check into it.

I replaced the BCM last summer, and it fixed the different issues that I was having at the time, so I'm almost positive it's not the BCM again.