Immobilized
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley CA
Immobilized
After messing around with my Vette and removing some old pager unit thing (which didn't seem to be connected to much), it won't start some of the time.
Basically, I turn the key to the first position and everything comes on as usual (even the fuel pump), then when I turn to the crank position there's nothing, no clicks, just nothing.
If I leave the car for about 20 minutes, it'll start like there's no problem. Also, once it's been running if I turn it off and restart it withing a few seconds, it's fine. If I leave it for about a minute or longer, I can't start it again!
:confused:
I'm guessing that there's an immobilizer in there somewhere, any clues on how to find it / bypass it? Is this standard on an '86 vette or aftermarket.
I could do with fixing it so I can go to work tomorrow,
Thanks.
Basically, I turn the key to the first position and everything comes on as usual (even the fuel pump), then when I turn to the crank position there's nothing, no clicks, just nothing.
If I leave the car for about 20 minutes, it'll start like there's no problem. Also, once it's been running if I turn it off and restart it withing a few seconds, it's fine. If I leave it for about a minute or longer, I can't start it again!
:confused:
I'm guessing that there's an immobilizer in there somewhere, any clues on how to find it / bypass it? Is this standard on an '86 vette or aftermarket.
I could do with fixing it so I can go to work tomorrow,
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley CA
Update...
Following are the things that I messed with today :smash:
Just under the drivers side dash I found this little beauty...
In one position none of the wires are connected at all.
In another position, the green and white wires (Yellow and dark gray in car) are connected together via a 500 ohm resistor.
In the final position green is connected to black (gray to thin yellow on other side), and red is connected to white (thick yellow to other thin yellow) - this is how the wires are connected right now - just plugged together without the switch (see pic below).
Also, this plug was not connected - looking in my crappy Haynes manual I see that Black, Brown, Orange is part of the charging circuit, hmmm I might need that, so I reconnected it - not sure why it was unplugged.
And this is the pager thing that I took out (didn't seem to be connected to anything though)
Any ideas anyone?
Just under the drivers side dash I found this little beauty...
In one position none of the wires are connected at all.
In another position, the green and white wires (Yellow and dark gray in car) are connected together via a 500 ohm resistor.
In the final position green is connected to black (gray to thin yellow on other side), and red is connected to white (thick yellow to other thin yellow) - this is how the wires are connected right now - just plugged together without the switch (see pic below).
Also, this plug was not connected - looking in my crappy Haynes manual I see that Black, Brown, Orange is part of the charging circuit, hmmm I might need that, so I reconnected it - not sure why it was unplugged.
And this is the pager thing that I took out (didn't seem to be connected to anything though)
Any ideas anyone?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Re: Update... (November Soul)
Following are the things that I messed with today :smash:
Just under the drivers side dash I found this little beauty...
Just under the drivers side dash I found this little beauty...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley CA
Re: Update... (jaa1988)
Interestingly, I started the car just fine this morning without it. Now I'm really confused.
Does the shop manual have the wiring diagrams for everything in the car? If so, I can work out what this thing was doing. - But yeah 500 ohm resistor does sound like a VATS thing. I was considering the possibility that the key I have has the wrong resistor in it and that's why this thing was placed there (measuring the resitance of the key yeilds about 500 ohms also), perhaps it was there as a bypass for a remote start module!?
I thought the VATS system just operated on the fuel pump shutting it off but still allowing your to start the car, only to run out of fuel shortly.
With my problem I don't even get a click, indicating that something else is stopping the starter relay from operating.
I guess I should just go out and buy the shop manual eh?
Does the shop manual have the wiring diagrams for everything in the car? If so, I can work out what this thing was doing. - But yeah 500 ohm resistor does sound like a VATS thing. I was considering the possibility that the key I have has the wrong resistor in it and that's why this thing was placed there (measuring the resitance of the key yeilds about 500 ohms also), perhaps it was there as a bypass for a remote start module!?
I thought the VATS system just operated on the fuel pump shutting it off but still allowing your to start the car, only to run out of fuel shortly.
With my problem I don't even get a click, indicating that something else is stopping the starter relay from operating.
I guess I should just go out and buy the shop manual eh?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,252
Likes: 2
From: Silicon Valley Kalifornia
Re: Update... (November Soul)
Go get the GM manual. Best money you will spend if you tinker with the car. Keep the Hanes around for a second opinion. BTW, nice red paint job on that car!!! :cool:
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
Re: Update... (GRX)
I'm not exactly sure how the VATS system shuts the car down but I can tell you from experience That the car will not start at all, No clicking or anything, I agree with the other response it looks like a VATS disabler. I would reconnect it and then try to start the car in all three positions, Keep in mind that when the VATS is disabled if something causes it to activate you will not be able to start the car for a set period of time. (2 or 3 minutes I think)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 0
From: Granbury Tx
Re: Update... (rbvette1)
That auto page looks like one of those transmitters for a auto security pager like the one below. Kind of cool, wonder if you could contact the company on the little plaque there and reactivate or get instructions on how to remove it properly and make sure it is properly deactivated and not interfering with anything electrical.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley CA
Working
Okay, the damn switch thing is out permanently now, and the car has been fine all day so far (touch wood [my dash will do]). It does indeed seem to be a VATS override, so I'm better without it - I can only assume that it was there because a remote starter had been fitted at one point.
Anyway, the pager thing is also out, I don't really need to reactivate it, 'cos I have a new car alarm with a page system built-in. It only has a 2 mile range, so it's no lo-jack, but it will do for now. The alarm also has a remote start feature, but I'm not sure I want to activate that part. I've just got to get some better details on the wiring system before I install it - oh yeah, and find a way through that damn bulkhead - arrrgh!
Thanks guys.
:cheers:
Anyway, the pager thing is also out, I don't really need to reactivate it, 'cos I have a new car alarm with a page system built-in. It only has a 2 mile range, so it's no lo-jack, but it will do for now. The alarm also has a remote start feature, but I'm not sure I want to activate that part. I've just got to get some better details on the wiring system before I install it - oh yeah, and find a way through that damn bulkhead - arrrgh!
Thanks guys.
:cheers:
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: The Dark Side of the Moon
Re: Working (November Soul)
You may also want to check your fuses in the engine compartment. My car would sometimes not start at all (I have no mods), no click, nothing, and a fellow forum member recommended that I check fuses. Pulled out each one, and the 3rd one down the line (a big 20 amp one) put the car back to life. If it happens again, and everything else works, check the fuses.
