89 won't start
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,871
Likes: 0
From: sterling va usa
89 won't start
Battery is fully charged cables are all clean and tight. Lights and horn and everything else works. Not evan a click from the starter. 6spd in neutral switch on clutch pedal cleaned and works. What next!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Begin at the starter and test all elements back toward the battery. If you have Battery and Ground at the starter it is most likely the starter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 1
From: OR
VATS problem pretty common. From someone elses post...I know it says '88 but I'm pretty sure it still applys to '89.
'88 Vette VATS Problem
VATS, for reference of other members, ia an acronym for the Vehicle Anti-Theft System. Started in Corvettes model '86 thru '88. Here's info that will help with understanding of VATS and the problems you can have with it etc.
The trigger to the VATS system is the special ignition key that contains the resistor pellet, this pellet connects to the VATS module which allows it to First, Signal the ECM, then Close the starter circuit.
The ECM will not allow fuel injection or starter operation without a signal response from the VATS module. Since VATS is not connected to the alarm system, therefore is active even if if the car is left unlocked or the alarm system is defeated.
The two main components of the system are the ignition key with resistor pellet and the VATS decoder module. The pellet in the key is just a resistor, it will be one of 15 specific values. The ignition cylinder has contacts that connect between the two sides of the ignition key pellet. Wiring carries this resistance value to the VATS decoder module, where it is compared to the value stored in the module. If they match, the car starts. If they do not match, the starter circuit and fuel injectors are disabled. A timer (approximately 4 minutes) is also activated if an improper resistance is read. Each time an attempt is made during this delay period, the timer will be reset. So it is important to wait at least 4 minutes before another attempt is made.
The main problem with the system in the first three years of production was the material that the contacts of both the ignition key and ignition cylinder were made of. This material was prone to premature wear, causing poor contact, an incorrect resistance being seen by the decoder module and a no start condition.
Work Arounds were developed that would fool the decoder module. These Work Arounds bypassed the key pellet and the ignition cylinder contacts. The VATS Bypass Modules that you see in many Corvette catalogs cost anywhere from $30 - $50. However, this is a resistor that you can pick up at your local Radio Shack for under $1! You have to know what code value (1-15) to buy. That means you'll have to go to a dealer that can use their VATS Interrogator, that presents another problem doing a bypass. SEE VATS CODES AT BOTTOM OF POST!
If you take a multi-meter and measure the resistance between the metal contacts on either side of your key, you can buy a resistor of this value at any Radio Shack store. ¼ watt will do.
You then need to remove the hush panel under the steering column. Disconnect C281 (two-cavity connector at base of steering column with two black wires in the female end and one yellow and one brown wire in the male end). Your newly purchased resistor goes into the male side of this connector, so you'll need to crimp a couple of female pins to the resistor legs.
If you insist on purchasing the VATS bypass from one of the Corvette catalogs, again measure the resistance of your key pellet and compare it to the code chart to find your code. It is also possible to reprogram the PROM to ignore the VATS signal, but that is beyond the scope of this article.
THE REAL FIX
In July of 1988 a GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN number 88-292. This TSB includes the part number for a new ignition cylinder that has better contacts. Keys have also been updated that are slightly longer and have the better contacts. This virtually eliminates VATS problems caused by connections. You still want to keep your key clean and dry, but with the TSB competed, you should enjoy VATS problem free starting for a good long time.
VATS Key Codes and Associated resistance
Codes in OHMS
Pellet Resistance
Code Ohms
1 - 402
2 - 523
3 - 681
4 - 887
5 - 1130
6 - 1470
7 - 1870
8 - 2370
9 - 3010
10 - 3740
11 - 4570
12 - 6040
13 - 7500
14 - 9530
15 - 11800
_________________
'88 Vette VATS Problem
VATS, for reference of other members, ia an acronym for the Vehicle Anti-Theft System. Started in Corvettes model '86 thru '88. Here's info that will help with understanding of VATS and the problems you can have with it etc.
The trigger to the VATS system is the special ignition key that contains the resistor pellet, this pellet connects to the VATS module which allows it to First, Signal the ECM, then Close the starter circuit.
The ECM will not allow fuel injection or starter operation without a signal response from the VATS module. Since VATS is not connected to the alarm system, therefore is active even if if the car is left unlocked or the alarm system is defeated.
The two main components of the system are the ignition key with resistor pellet and the VATS decoder module. The pellet in the key is just a resistor, it will be one of 15 specific values. The ignition cylinder has contacts that connect between the two sides of the ignition key pellet. Wiring carries this resistance value to the VATS decoder module, where it is compared to the value stored in the module. If they match, the car starts. If they do not match, the starter circuit and fuel injectors are disabled. A timer (approximately 4 minutes) is also activated if an improper resistance is read. Each time an attempt is made during this delay period, the timer will be reset. So it is important to wait at least 4 minutes before another attempt is made.
The main problem with the system in the first three years of production was the material that the contacts of both the ignition key and ignition cylinder were made of. This material was prone to premature wear, causing poor contact, an incorrect resistance being seen by the decoder module and a no start condition.
Work Arounds were developed that would fool the decoder module. These Work Arounds bypassed the key pellet and the ignition cylinder contacts. The VATS Bypass Modules that you see in many Corvette catalogs cost anywhere from $30 - $50. However, this is a resistor that you can pick up at your local Radio Shack for under $1! You have to know what code value (1-15) to buy. That means you'll have to go to a dealer that can use their VATS Interrogator, that presents another problem doing a bypass. SEE VATS CODES AT BOTTOM OF POST!
If you take a multi-meter and measure the resistance between the metal contacts on either side of your key, you can buy a resistor of this value at any Radio Shack store. ¼ watt will do.
You then need to remove the hush panel under the steering column. Disconnect C281 (two-cavity connector at base of steering column with two black wires in the female end and one yellow and one brown wire in the male end). Your newly purchased resistor goes into the male side of this connector, so you'll need to crimp a couple of female pins to the resistor legs.
If you insist on purchasing the VATS bypass from one of the Corvette catalogs, again measure the resistance of your key pellet and compare it to the code chart to find your code. It is also possible to reprogram the PROM to ignore the VATS signal, but that is beyond the scope of this article.
THE REAL FIX
In July of 1988 a GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN number 88-292. This TSB includes the part number for a new ignition cylinder that has better contacts. Keys have also been updated that are slightly longer and have the better contacts. This virtually eliminates VATS problems caused by connections. You still want to keep your key clean and dry, but with the TSB competed, you should enjoy VATS problem free starting for a good long time.
VATS Key Codes and Associated resistance
Codes in OHMS
Pellet Resistance
Code Ohms
1 - 402
2 - 523
3 - 681
4 - 887
5 - 1130
6 - 1470
7 - 1870
8 - 2370
9 - 3010
10 - 3740
11 - 4570
12 - 6040
13 - 7500
14 - 9530
15 - 11800
_________________
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 200
Likes: 1
From: Somers N.Y.
VATS problem pretty common. From someone elses post...I know it says '88 but I'm pretty sure it still applys to '89.
'88 Vette VATS Problem
VATS, for reference of other members, ia an acronym for the Vehicle Anti-Theft System. Started in Corvettes model '86 thru '88. Here's info that will help with understanding of VATS and the problems you can have with it etc.
The trigger to the VATS system is the special ignition key that contains the resistor pellet, this pellet connects to the VATS module which allows it to First, Signal the ECM, then Close the starter circuit.
The ECM will not allow fuel injection or starter operation without a signal response from the VATS module. Since VATS is not connected to the alarm system, therefore is active even if if the car is left unlocked or the alarm system is defeated.
The two main components of the system are the ignition key with resistor pellet and the VATS decoder module. The pellet in the key is just a resistor, it will be one of 15 specific values. The ignition cylinder has contacts that connect between the two sides of the ignition key pellet. Wiring carries this resistance value to the VATS decoder module, where it is compared to the value stored in the module. If they match, the car starts. If they do not match, the starter circuit and fuel injectors are disabled. A timer (approximately 4 minutes) is also activated if an improper resistance is read. Each time an attempt is made during this delay period, the timer will be reset. So it is important to wait at least 4 minutes before another attempt is made.
The main problem with the system in the first three years of production was the material that the contacts of both the ignition key and ignition cylinder were made of. This material was prone to premature wear, causing poor contact, an incorrect resistance being seen by the decoder module and a no start condition.
Work Arounds were developed that would fool the decoder module. These Work Arounds bypassed the key pellet and the ignition cylinder contacts. The VATS Bypass Modules that you see in many Corvette catalogs cost anywhere from $30 - $50. However, this is a resistor that you can pick up at your local Radio Shack for under $1! You have to know what code value (1-15) to buy. That means you'll have to go to a dealer that can use their VATS Interrogator, that presents another problem doing a bypass. SEE VATS CODES AT BOTTOM OF POST!
If you take a multi-meter and measure the resistance between the metal contacts on either side of your key, you can buy a resistor of this value at any Radio Shack store. ¼ watt will do.
You then need to remove the hush panel under the steering column. Disconnect C281 (two-cavity connector at base of steering column with two black wires in the female end and one yellow and one brown wire in the male end). Your newly purchased resistor goes into the male side of this connector, so you'll need to crimp a couple of female pins to the resistor legs.
If you insist on purchasing the VATS bypass from one of the Corvette catalogs, again measure the resistance of your key pellet and compare it to the code chart to find your code. It is also possible to reprogram the PROM to ignore the VATS signal, but that is beyond the scope of this article.
THE REAL FIX
In July of 1988 a GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN number 88-292. This TSB includes the part number for a new ignition cylinder that has better contacts. Keys have also been updated that are slightly longer and have the better contacts. This virtually eliminates VATS problems caused by connections. You still want to keep your key clean and dry, but with the TSB competed, you should enjoy VATS problem free starting for a good long time.
VATS Key Codes and Associated resistance
Codes in OHMS
Pellet Resistance
Code Ohms
1 - 402
2 - 523
3 - 681
4 - 887
5 - 1130
6 - 1470
7 - 1870
8 - 2370
9 - 3010
10 - 3740
11 - 4570
12 - 6040
13 - 7500
14 - 9530
15 - 11800
_________________
'88 Vette VATS Problem
VATS, for reference of other members, ia an acronym for the Vehicle Anti-Theft System. Started in Corvettes model '86 thru '88. Here's info that will help with understanding of VATS and the problems you can have with it etc.
The trigger to the VATS system is the special ignition key that contains the resistor pellet, this pellet connects to the VATS module which allows it to First, Signal the ECM, then Close the starter circuit.
The ECM will not allow fuel injection or starter operation without a signal response from the VATS module. Since VATS is not connected to the alarm system, therefore is active even if if the car is left unlocked or the alarm system is defeated.
The two main components of the system are the ignition key with resistor pellet and the VATS decoder module. The pellet in the key is just a resistor, it will be one of 15 specific values. The ignition cylinder has contacts that connect between the two sides of the ignition key pellet. Wiring carries this resistance value to the VATS decoder module, where it is compared to the value stored in the module. If they match, the car starts. If they do not match, the starter circuit and fuel injectors are disabled. A timer (approximately 4 minutes) is also activated if an improper resistance is read. Each time an attempt is made during this delay period, the timer will be reset. So it is important to wait at least 4 minutes before another attempt is made.
The main problem with the system in the first three years of production was the material that the contacts of both the ignition key and ignition cylinder were made of. This material was prone to premature wear, causing poor contact, an incorrect resistance being seen by the decoder module and a no start condition.
Work Arounds were developed that would fool the decoder module. These Work Arounds bypassed the key pellet and the ignition cylinder contacts. The VATS Bypass Modules that you see in many Corvette catalogs cost anywhere from $30 - $50. However, this is a resistor that you can pick up at your local Radio Shack for under $1! You have to know what code value (1-15) to buy. That means you'll have to go to a dealer that can use their VATS Interrogator, that presents another problem doing a bypass. SEE VATS CODES AT BOTTOM OF POST!
If you take a multi-meter and measure the resistance between the metal contacts on either side of your key, you can buy a resistor of this value at any Radio Shack store. ¼ watt will do.
You then need to remove the hush panel under the steering column. Disconnect C281 (two-cavity connector at base of steering column with two black wires in the female end and one yellow and one brown wire in the male end). Your newly purchased resistor goes into the male side of this connector, so you'll need to crimp a couple of female pins to the resistor legs.
If you insist on purchasing the VATS bypass from one of the Corvette catalogs, again measure the resistance of your key pellet and compare it to the code chart to find your code. It is also possible to reprogram the PROM to ignore the VATS signal, but that is beyond the scope of this article.
THE REAL FIX
In July of 1988 a GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN number 88-292. This TSB includes the part number for a new ignition cylinder that has better contacts. Keys have also been updated that are slightly longer and have the better contacts. This virtually eliminates VATS problems caused by connections. You still want to keep your key clean and dry, but with the TSB competed, you should enjoy VATS problem free starting for a good long time.
VATS Key Codes and Associated resistance
Codes in OHMS
Pellet Resistance
Code Ohms
1 - 402
2 - 523
3 - 681
4 - 887
5 - 1130
6 - 1470
7 - 1870
8 - 2370
9 - 3010
10 - 3740
11 - 4570
12 - 6040
13 - 7500
14 - 9530
15 - 11800
_________________
