2001 Chevy Lumina

[whatever]

My son's 01 Lumina will sometimes not turn over...the lights will come on but they wont dim when you try to turn it over. If you give it a couple minutes it will start. I'm guessing the ignition switch(electrical not the tumbler)is the problem or possibly the starter solenoid. If you think it is the switch where is it, I'm guessing under the dash around the steering column. what do you guy's think. Thank you for any help.

Mark.

[robertisaar]

it could be a VATS problem. what does the security light do while cranking? or attempting to crank?

[bszopi]

Any other symptoms? Can you hear the fuel pump prime when attempting to turn it over? That is how I finally figured out I had a bad ignition switch....

[whatever]

No check engine light comes on and next time it does it I will listen for the fuel pump. Thanks guy's.

Mark.

[pocket-rocket]

I would probably look at the ignition switch. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought VATS just disabled the fuel injectors if it didn't see the resistor pill meaning it should still crank.

[robertisaar]

in the coldest parts of winter i sometimes had an issue where the fuel pump wouldn't turn on or the starter crank.... i believe it was due to the VATS thinking i have a bad key...

BTW: i have never tried to bypass my VATS setup but one of the leads inside the lock cylinder broke off and now while its running the security light just stays on constantly. always starts even though the VATS module doesn't know what key is in there. i believe the requirements for that to happen is for the circuit to get disabled while the vehicle is running. if it gets junked when its not running it shouldn't start.

unfortunately repairing the VATS wiring requires removing the steering wheel(i don't have a puller) but it is a simple process... on a 95 monte anyway.

[pocket-rocket]

I've managed to pull the steering wheel in my 91 without a puller before. Just had to wiggle it back and forth a bit to work it off the shaft. Also if you were closer, I have a spare balancer/steering wheel puller set I would be glad to give you since I got a great deal on a nice set on ebay.

[robertisaar]

really? you got it off without a puller? not going to happen on mine, i tried...

that and the gigantic nut that i didn't have a socket for... its good to have friends/family that have tools, but without a puller, my wheel is NOT coming off....

[Monzsta]

I had the no start problem with mine. The "SECURITY" light will stay on. I went to radio shack, ohm'd out my key pellet and bought a 10k ohm trim pot and dialed in to my key's resistance, then I cut the two white wires that go up to the switch after the connector and soldered it in. No more VATS.