Vats ? 86
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Vats ? 86
While continuing to try to adjust my driver side window my horn started beeping and would not stop. I don't know what I did to cause it, I didn't even know the car had an alarm. I pulled off the negative battery cable and when I re-connected the beeping was gone. The car starts and runs with no problems. Any ideas about what may have caused this? I have read a little about the VATS system but I don't know how it works. The car is an 86 coupe, I have had it for a year and a half and completely stripped out and replaced the interior without ever having tripped the alarm. I had thought the VATS disabled the car from starting, I would also like to disengage this alarm system if I can so I don't end up somewhere with a honking car that I can't shut up. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
VATS and the security alarm are 2 different things. I think you bumped the power door lock switch and armed the security. Had you used the the key in the door (turn right) that would have turned it off.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
I just replaced the power door lock switch, the power locks never worked before and now they do. It sounds like that is what arms the system so now I guess I have power door locks and an alarm. Thanks for the info
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
What you heard was the Theft Deterrent system. Basically a horn alarm without engine disable.
The VATS (Vehicle Anti Theft System) is an engine disable system that works seperate from the Theft Deterrent alarm. It disables the starter and fuel injectors when anything other than the correct key is used.
You probably manually unlocked the door with the slider, then opened it from the inside after you had activated the system with the door switch. This always sets off the alarm by design. You have to either unlock the passanger door with slider also before you open one, or just hit the lock switch to unlock both together. When the security light is flashing, theft deterrent is off. When solid, it's armed. Hitting the power lock switches turns it on and off.
To stop the horn alarm, you use your door key in either door and turn it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
What you heard was the Theft Deterrent system. Basically a horn alarm without engine disable.
The VATS (Vehicle Anti Theft System) is an engine disable system that works seperate from the Theft Deterrent alarm. It disables the starter and fuel injectors when anything other than the correct key is used.
You probably manually unlocked the door with the slider, then opened it from the inside after you had activated the system with the door switch. This always sets off the alarm by design. You have to either unlock the passanger door with slider also before you open one, or just hit the lock switch to unlock both together. When the security light is flashing, theft deterrent is off. When solid, it's armed. Hitting the power lock switches turns it on and off.
To stop the horn alarm, you use your door key in either door and turn it.
