When it's a VATS issue, you'll at least have a lit dash.
VAT's problem????
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
VAT's problem????
Twice now my 95' has faild to start. Nothing happens when you turn the key. No dash board lights, nothing. I'm assume it's a VAT's problem.
1st time it happened after several attempts it cranked. Radio and all the gauges reset.
2nd time after several un-successful attempts to start. I removed the positive cable from the battery. As soon as reconnected it the security system activated and car started.
Any ideas before I take it to the dealer?
1st time it happened after several attempts it cranked. Radio and all the gauges reset.
2nd time after several un-successful attempts to start. I removed the positive cable from the battery. As soon as reconnected it the security system activated and car started.
Any ideas before I take it to the dealer?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 630
Likes: 2
From: BEMIDJI MN
More than likely the vats, or you could try a different key if you have one. I bypassed my vats and it was the best thing I ever did. I don't have time to mess with a flawed security system (vats) that has so many quirks.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 442
Likes: 24
i am experiencing the same problem. i went to the dealer to have my key tested and he said it was fine. he told me there is a little copper wire inside the cylinder that goes bad after all the turning. he said it is not the vats
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Stay as far away from that dealer as you can get yourself. The ign lock has contacts in it that connect to the key pellet and allows the VATS module to measure the pellet resistance. All of this is part of VATS and if the contacts or the wires out of the contacts stop working, its a VATS problem and VATS will not allow the car to crank and start running.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 1
From: Elk Plain WA
St. Jude Donor '11
Well guys I had an intermitent "no start" issue with my 86 C4. I started a couple threads on here and most everyone and the FSMs said "if it was VATS it wouldn't crank", and sent me off looking at other posibilities. So I kept looking for the grimlin for quite a while (months). Finally fed up, I bought the "VATs bypass harness". Simple install. Takes 10 minutes maybe. Mine has started every time ever since the bypass went in. My issue didn't pass the logic test per VATS design, as it always cranked. But it was a VATS issue none the less!
