ok so last week my car was running great and all of a sudden when i went to leave O'Riellys my car wouldn't start... the Odometer is not coming on(which means things like the fuel pump dont either) i have replaces the ignition, and alot of other things... well the car sit fo 2 days an it cranked right up... as of sunday the car done the same not starting crap again... the only tme the odometer will come on is when you plug a diagnostic tool up to it?????? yet when you turn the key over it goes black again... BTW its not the VATS. already had that checked out. 3 mechanics have looked at it and told me they cant help me... the radio and lights come on, but do not go off when you turn the key off... you have to unhook the battery for them to go off... ANY IDEAS its a 98 3.8 stock VATS system...

 

The radio and lights will stay on for a few minutes after the key turns off. Have you check all the wiring going to the dash? It could also be the dash itself of even the security feature of the car since you've changed your ignition.

 

Yes, but will cut off once the door opens up. Surely he would have noticed this.

 

How did they test the VATS?

Sounds like the exact problem my parents Regal was having. The key turned out to be bad (like when I took it to the locksmith, the machine was having trouble reading what number it was). To fix it I just hardwired a resistor in, because this would be the second new key in 2 years.

 

Check for dead cell in your battery which is caused by a poor ground.

 

X2. I had an issue where my car would start sometimes and other times not. I'd turn the key and the lights come on. I crank it and no power. Ended up being my battery after 1.5 years went bad!

 

battery, battery ground, and starter can all be intermittent.

 

The symptoms r that of bad ground which causes a dead cell in ur battery. Radio,lights come on but when u turn the key, nothing but DEAD. everything goes. Could also be ignition control module, but I'm gonna sway towards bad ground.

 

This is a difficult problem to diagnose online. The things that come to mind with me are the BCM, bad grounds or bad ignition switch. The BCM sticks out the most with me, especally if this problem just started. Do you have any water leaks? Front T-top, passenger's side? I would say your BCM may have some corrosion. Similar systems failures were happening to me with a 2001 Alero.

Massey