Damn VATS code!!!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 0
Damn VATS code!!!!!
Some of you know the story that I need new keys http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=136801 Well I went to the dealer and I gave them all the info to get the key made up and they called it into some place and he gets a fax and says "Your key has the Vats chip on it" and I said right. He said " Huh they must have forgotten it" after 30min he tells me that the original dealer forgot to submit the code for the "vats"
Now what do I do?? I had him make me a door key, but what do I do about the ignition key that I need to make? Do I contact the original dealer and how do I go about doing that? Man, my luck sucks big B@lls!!!
Now what do I do?? I had him make me a door key, but what do I do about the ignition key that I need to make? Do I contact the original dealer and how do I go about doing that? Man, my luck sucks big B@lls!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 999
Likes: 1
From: Gardner KS
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Damn VATS code!!!!! (C4@your_door)
The selling dealer didn't have anything to do with it. The database he pulled your codes from was straight from GM and they didn't keep records of VATS codes along with key codes until later years. If you have no ignition key at all than there is only a few ways to get around your problem. One is to have a dealer with the VATS diagnose tool try each and every code until one works. Very time consuming = expensive. Or, you could use a VATS eliminator like the ones sold by many aftermarket suppliers (ecklers, mid-america, etc.). I'm not extremely familiar with how the VATS system in a '90 but I don't believe it uses its own module like in some of the earlier years. I believe it's stored in the BCM or something so there may be a way to check it but I don't know for sure. Hopefully this will help give an idea of where you're at. You may try giving me your VIN and I'll check to make sure there's no way to get the codes from GM. -Jeff
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 0
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 9,659
Likes: 1,678
From: Fort Worth Texas
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C8 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C7 of Year Winner (stock)
Former Moderator
Cruise-In I-II-III Veteran
Re: Damn VATS code!!!!! (C4@your_door)
If the key is your only problem, I could burn a chip to disable VATS! :D
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 999
Likes: 1
From: Gardner KS
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Damn VATS code!!!!! (Marcho Polo)
Well it is true, GM does not have record of VATS code for your car. Tried the fax trick and called them. Sorry, wish we could have come up with a code easily.
Craig, doesn't the VATS on a '90 also shut down the starter too? I wish I was more familiar with the systems from year to year. I can never keep straight what years did what. Anyway, just a thought. -Jeff
[Modified by 18carfan, 5:07 PM 8/20/2001]
[Modified by 18carfan, 5:07 PM 8/20/2001]
If the key is your only problem, I could burn a chip to disable VATS! :D
[Modified by 18carfan, 5:07 PM 8/20/2001]
[Modified by 18carfan, 5:07 PM 8/20/2001]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 0
Re: Damn VATS code!!!!! (18carfan)
Well it is true, GM does not have record of VATS code for your car. Tried the fax trick and called them. Sorry, wish we could have come up with a code easily.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Burbank ca
Re: Damn VATS code!!!!! (C4@your_door)
OK Heres what you have to do. I had a vats problem with my 87 a few years ago. I took my key down to have the key read the dealer has a machine they stick your key in to get the reading, unfortunately my key was old and the machine would not read it. I know you dont have a key the first thing you are going to have to do is get a key made that will turn the ignition on and then have your car towed to the dealer. The dealer can get the code through the computer there are 15 possibilities and theres a 3 min wait between each one,once you have the code you can buy the correct key blank with the right resistance code. Even if you go with a Vats bypass you will need the code which is actually the resistance. Good luck the dealer quoted me 2 hours labor plus the key but they managed to get the code in an hour cost me a little over $100 and then I bought the bypass and installed it. Hope that helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 9,659
Likes: 1,678
From: Fort Worth Texas
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C8 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C7 of Year Winner (stock)
Former Moderator
Cruise-In I-II-III Veteran
Re: Damn VATS code!!!!! (18carfan)
Jeff,
What I'm thinking is that if the only thing holding him back is the key check, then turning that off in the chip will be the same thing. As long as all other pieces of the vats system are working fine (starter enable, fuel pump enable), then it should work. It's basically the same thing as the bypass kit in the catalogs... faking out the computer about the correct resistance in there. I'm no Vats wizard, but Ray Quayle is.... but I'm pretty sure that if the key is the only problem, then turning the Vats off in the chip will fix it.
What I'm thinking is that if the only thing holding him back is the key check, then turning that off in the chip will be the same thing. As long as all other pieces of the vats system are working fine (starter enable, fuel pump enable), then it should work. It's basically the same thing as the bypass kit in the catalogs... faking out the computer about the correct resistance in there. I'm no Vats wizard, but Ray Quayle is.... but I'm pretty sure that if the key is the only problem, then turning the Vats off in the chip will fix it.
