came out of work today for lunch got in my car and it wouldnt start, when I turned the key it did nothing no clicking like low battery, this is the third time it has done this to me tryed to jump it still made no noise, gave up went back to work (without lunch) came back after work and it fired right up. this is what it has done everytime wont start when I want it to but will start and hour or so later. I think it may have something to do with the security system seeing how the security light comes on when I attempt to start it. anyone else have this problem?

 

VATS syptom is all electrical works EXCEPT the starter. Radio/windows/all power access. but when you turn key to start everything is dead! Wait 8-10 minutes and thry restarting. Helps to wipe key clean.

Have had VATS issues twice, twio years ago it was a PITA since it was longer than 8-10 minutes. Just happened last week, waited ten minutes and no problems re-starting.

 

is there a permanent fix for this it always happens at the worst possible time

 

Contacts in the ign lock make connection to the pellet in your ign key and these contacts don't last forever. I drive my 87 every day and I have replaced my ign lock twice, about 9 years apart. When it won't crank next time, remove the kick panel above the drivers feet and find the 2 wires coming from above the steering column and unplug it. With the ign key inserted, measure the resistance across the 2 wires from the steering column, it should measure the same as the pellet. If more than 4% from the pellet or over 13k ohms, then you need a new ign lock. Since you don't tell us what year Vette you have, we cannot say for certain whether you can temporarily bypass VATS so you can drive it until you can schedule a lock replacement. You can bypass older C4's by connecting a fixed resistor the same value as the pellet across the two wires from the wiring harness (goes to VATS module). You can use one or more 1/4 watt 5% resistors from Radio Shack.
The lock isn't the only cause of problems, you could also have a worn out clutch safety switch (gear selector sw if automatic) and you can unplug it and jump the switch. Also there is a start enable relay that the VATS operates whose contacts could be worn causing your no start problem, but the ign lock is the most probable.

 

its a 94 automatic

 

I don't know at what year this began, but later C4's you cannot leave a resistor across the wires going to the VATS module, the computer expects the key to be removed and inserted between starts. A fixed resistor should allow VATS to work, but you may have to include a clip lead that you disconnect and reconnect before each crank until you can get a new ign lock installed.