The past two days, my 98 Z28 has sometimes acted up when I start it. Sometimes, when I start it, the engine cranks, but it cranks very rough and will not start up. I am guessing it is because the engine is not getting any fuel. If I wait a minute, cycle the key back, then try starting again, wait a minute, cycle the key back, then try starting again a few times it will eventually start and will run just fine. Other times I start it and it starts up just fine, no problems.

For example: Yesterday, it started fine in the afternoon, I drove it for three hours straight, shut it down for 10 minutes, and then it took several tries to start it again.

After searching, it appears that it could be a clogged fuel filter, fuel pump, or the VATS system. The fuel pump was replaced 20,000 miles ago, so it better not be that. Also, I just took the car out of storage (stored since last september) so could it maybe just be some funky fuel, in which case a fresh tank should remedy the issue?

Since it is internmittent and it runs fine once started, is it most likely a funky key or associated VATS component in the steering column? If it was a clogged fuel filter, it should run rough all the time shouldn't it?

I will try the other key tonight, but wanted to see what everyone thought.

Thanks for any help,
Bill

 

i had the same problem..try these

1. wipe off chip area of key real good and try if that don't work
2. go to fuse box under hood and look for the relays that say ignition and starter, take those relays out and swap them, if car starts after that you have a bad relay..it cost 7.90 bucks from chevy..that will most likely solve your problem

hope this helps

 

Thanks, I will try that if the problem persists with the spare key tomorrow.

Also, today it was acting a little different. After work while I was running errands, it would start initially, run for maybe 1-2 seconds and then it would stall out. If I waited a minute, then cycled the key back and forth, it would start and run with no problems.

I suppose this could still be the key problem and the resistance is just borderline out of spec.

Any other ideas?

Thank You

Bill

 

another thing to check is to see is when you put the key in and turn the key to run is the security light blinking or staying solid? you can also take your key to gm dealer and they will test your key for free

if it starts and then dies there is a posibility it is the vats in the steering wheel housing

but try what i meantioned and see if any of that helped

 

That sounds like some type of fuel problem to me. If its the security/key issue I think it normally wont let you even turn the starter.

 

usually if the security light is blinking the car will crank but won't start because of the security system doesn't recognize the chip in the key if it is going bad or is dirty..

if that is not the problem next step is to check the ignition relay in the fuse box by switching it with the starter relay..

it the car starts and then dies then more than likely it's the vats..

maybe someone else can chime in..but these have been my experience with a couple of my buddies camaro's and mine included..

just hope this saves someone from getting raped at the dealer..

 

I tried the other key this morning, and the car started just fine. I am going to clean up the malfunctioning key and then try it again. If it still does not work, I will try taking it to GM for the free test.

Just in case this was a fluke this morning, I will try the suggestion with the relay. But to clarify, what do the relays look like, small black cubes? Is there a label on the box which dictates the location of each relay? Which relay would need to be replaced, the starter relay or the ignition relay? I don't know much about cars, so you will have to excuse my ignorance on this.

I appreciate the help from both of you. Hopefully, if someone else has this problem, they will find this thread. I dont remember seeing the relay suggestion when I did a search before I posted.

Bill

 

Listen to this guy.

When the VATS system went bad in my '97 Z28 the engine wouldn't even try to crank over. It disables everything not just the fuel delivaery.

 

hey we gotta start somewhere..and don't sweat it..

open the hood and look to the right..you will see 2 black fuse boxes..

on the cover of the upper right hand corner (kind of)..read the relay layout on the cover of the fuse box..

you will see an ignition relay and starter relay beside each other

they are the biggest 2 relays in the box and they are beside each other in the corner of the fuse box..if looking at it it's the farthest 2 on the right side of the box..look for this part number on the relay omron 7236 on top and 12177236 on the bottom of the relays swap those 2..they look like square and gray..there are smaller rectangle looking fuses too, but don't mistake them...

you may have to take out the little ones to get to the starter and ingition relay but no worries from there..

 

if the car starts everytime after that the ignition relay is bad..most people forget about this relay and automatically think it's the vats..cause the computer will not throw codes if the relay goes bad, and most people forget that...
hop i helped ya out bill, and i'll send you the bill later

 

bill..

the fuse box i was talking about i got em mixed up..it's the bottom fuse box you are looking for..

 

Before I got to the relays I wanted to try one more thing. I put the car in a garage let it sit, and then tried just turning the key so I could hear very well. No fuel pump whirrr! After cycling the key a few times (never trying to start the car), the fuel pump finally kicked on. Then I turned the key all the way and the vehicle promptly started. I had a suspicion that this might be the issue. When I have been starting, I could have sworn that I should be bale to hear the fuel pump kick on, but it did not sound like it was turning on. I could not remember for sure as it has been a long time since I have driven my Camaro and I thought maybe it was queiter than I remembered.

Does this ignition relay have anything to do with turning on the fuel pump? Could the relay for the fuel pump be causing this issue? What else would effect the fuel pump fritzing out when first tryin to start up? There never seems to be a problem once the pump turns on. I am going to go back out and try the ignition/starter relay swap regardless, but wanted to get this question in tonight.

Thanks,
Bill

 

there is a chance that your fuel pump relay is bad, i don't always hear my pump kick on either upon turning the ignition to run..but try the swap and if that doesn't fix your problem then take a look at the fuel pump fuse...

 

Just in case someone is searching this later, I swapped the ignition and starter relay and the car is working fine now!

Definately try this relay swap before heading to the dealer if you experience similar symptoms.

Thanks for the help!

Bill