I`ll call GM and order a new replacement connector right now then report back the findings. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

Wholey crapola, $165.00 list from GM. Man, someone needs to start making those things aftermarket. It`s just a little patch cord maybe 14 inches long, 165 bucks??
I have it on order, should be in next week.

 

That patch cord cord did not work.
Doing some more tests while shoving it down the alley with the 4-wheeler, it pop starts in gear, but it will not start with the key and rolling the same speed. I thought for sure it would. Now I`m about totally stumped. It still tries to run backwards after releasing the key from crank....yet push starts and runs fine....baffling!

 

I've seen a buddy's car run backwards when he jump started it backwards. So, here's a stupid question. Are your battery cables on positive/positive and negative/negative?

 

The only stupid question is the one not asked. Yes, the battery is wired correctly. The motor turns over with the starter the correct direction. It`s only after you release the key from the crank position does it then pop off and turn over backwards. I said it was really strange! Plus the starter drive simply would not allow the starter motor to turn over the motor in the wrong direction, it`s designed to kick out in that direction.

 

Yet, when you bump start the car it runs fine... very strange. That rules out crossed plug wires. And you said it isn't the opti.

 

Yes it runs fine when pushed.
The Opti was replaced, as well as the ignition switch, ignition module, the opti eye, the patch harness between the opti and the engine harness, the computer was replaced, three starter motors, a complete tune-up was done. Cranks fine at good speed and in the correct direction, but pops off and tries runs backwards when the key is released from crank, yet push starts and runs fine.

 

Which direction is the damper turning when you try to start it using the ignition?
Just checking...

 

standing in front of the motor it turns clockwise cranking with the key, and when it pops off and rolls backwards it`s turning counter-clockwise standing in front of the motor.

 

The Haynes manual keeps mentioning if it has a Delco Loc II or TheftLock to disable them before disconnecting the battery, I don`t know if the car has them or not. If it did, how would I disable them??

 

...

 

Bump

 

Did the starter wires possibly get crossed?

http://shbox.com/1/starter.jpg

Note the Theft Deterrant Relay, has that been checked?

 

isnt there a switch that doesnt let the car start in gear maybe thats messed up.or the connection from the after market security system you disconnected that might of closed a circuit to your ignition switch.

 

I have power to that purple wire in the pic durring crank. The starter is turning over fine and in the correct dirrection. I`m thinking it may be some sort of voltage drop durring crank. as the voltage to that purple wire, the dash volt meter, and my snap-on scan tool all show at or under 9.0v durring crank. It has both a top post and side post battery, I`ve added an additional negitive ground cable tot he bloack and strut tower with the same results. So it must be in the positive side. I`ve tested at the positive and have 12.1v idle and 10.4v cranking at both the battery post and the terminal where the fusable link block is. Where would be the next places to look for the voltage drop on the positive side??