New LS1 Owners - Newbie Tech - Can't get car to start

I have a 2000 Firebird that won't start. It was fine last night, although the security light was on. It's been on for longer than I care to admit, but I figured it was the spare key (my parents lost my original).

The key turns in the ignition, but nothing happens. It'll ding, but it sounds like morse code. The radio doesn't come on, and the gauges will max out and come back down immediately.

Any ideas? I have an awful feeling that it's the ignition cylinder and I'll have to replace it.

Thanks in advance!

I just had a similar problem, but it went away by itself. I'll link my thread and maybe you can try some of the things people suggested for me.


http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/general-maintenance-repairs/1317955-car-wont-start.html

Sounds like this:

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/1310090-help-car-wont-start-weird-gauge-issue.html

I'd start with charging the battery and checking the ground...

how old is your battery?

how old is your battery?

This is a good question. When my batter died, my gauges went ape-shit.

Thanks for the links! The battery is no more than a year old, but I've had corrosion issues before so I'll start there and with the relay. If that isn't the issue, then I'll head up to the dealership and have the key checked.

I really hope it's not the ignition cylinder. That's the last thing I need right before I move to VA next week.

EDIT: Checked the relay, that's not it. The battery isn't dead but there's some corrosion so I'm going to tackle that before going to the dealership.

Ha! It lives!! Took of the battery cables, cleaned the terminals, and it started like nothing ever happened.

And since I keep the unlock code for the radio in the car, it's reset and I'm ready to road trip.

Thanks so much for the help everyone! And for not telling me a woman is incapable of working on her own car.

Good to see everything is OK now.I hate electical problems.