i have a 97 z28 that was the official pace car for the brikyard 400 in 97. i have only owned it for a week. no probles until last night.. got off work and got in and the radio, lights, power trunk everything works. but when i turn the key, no dash lights or guages come on and the car doesnt start. not even a click. any suggestions?

Sound like the VATS. But I'd check the bat. volts first.

i was thinking the vats, cause when i got in, the key kinda hesitated to turn when i tried. i pulled it out and tried again and it turned ok. but i have a second set of keys that doesnt have a chip on it. i havent tried that key but i think that one started the car before also. if it doesnt have a chip, wouldnt that mean the vats is dissabled? i had to leave the car at work last night and im on my way to try to jump start it .

OK I just tried to jump start the car and nothing. battery has an indicator light that shows green light. when i turn the key to start the car, the doors chime. im thinking a bad cell in battery even if it indicates a green light. and the extra key, i was wrong, it does have a chip also.

VATS does not keep the dash lights from coming on.

ok i just took the battery to napa, it tested ok. he said i have 480 cranking amps. the battery says its a 550 cranking amp battery but he said 480 should be plenty to start the car or at least have dash lights and try to crank over. dont really think its vats system, from reading up on the vats, I should have dash lights... Ignition switch maybee??

Have you removed and cleaned your battery cables?

Could be ignition switch if your headlights will stay on and the cluster goes dead.

ok, i looked at your how to link. i remembered that when i went to start it the key felt stuck and i forced it a bit then i pulled it out and reinserted the key. then it turned fine and thats when i had the problem. is it possible to see if the rod is even sliding when i turn the key? maybee i broke something where the tumbler moves the rod. wouldnt that give power to my acc, lights, windows etc. but not move the ignition swith to where the dash lights and cluster comes on? is it possible to check the rod for movement without lowering the steering column?

If you can see enough under the dash (or even feel), you can check the rod movement without lowering the column.

kool I am having it towed home tomorrow, cant really work on it at my jobs parking lot. I will try to feel for rod movement first if it moves i know its the switch. thanks for your help.

Towed it home, changed the ignition switch and now im burning gas again...