vats
Check for error codes:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1574918379-post18.html
http://corvettephotographs.com/c4vettes/codes.htm
What they mean:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1576116036-post35.html
I suggest you get a fuel pressure gauge and then check the pressure under the following conditions:
1 - Turn on ignition -- do not start the engine.
2 - Start engine and let it idle.
3 - Turn off engine and check fuel pressure after 15 minutes.
Obviously you can't do #2 if the engine won't start, but do #1 and #3 and let us know what happens.
But wait, there's more...
When you first turn on the ignition the ECM turns on the fuel pump by turning on the fuel pump relay for 2 seconds. This pressurizes the fuel rails in preparation for starting the engine. The ECM turns off the fuel pump after 2 seconds so that the fuel pump won't run continuously if the ignition is turned on but the engine is not started.
The ECM again turns on the fuel pump when it sees DRPs (Distributor Reference Pulses) from the ignition module inside the distributor. From your description it appears that this is not happening.
The ECM uses the DRPs to synchronize the firing of the injectors to the rotation of the engine, whether cranking or running.
It appears that your engine is running on the fuel from the cold start injector but the injectors are never being fired (missing DRPs from ignition module to ECM -- or the ECM itself could be bad). You can have your ignition module tested at most auto parts stores. It is connected to the ECM through a 4 wire harness that comes out of the back of the distributor. Note that the ignition module gets very hot and needs to have THERMAL (NOT dielectric) grease under it.
One more thing... The cold start thermo switch times out after 8 seconds of cranking (it's turned on by the ignition switch in the CRANK position). That means that the engine probably won't fire at all after the first couple of tries.
Last edited by Cliff Harris; May 14, 2014 at 01:13 AM.
Check for error codes:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1574918379-post18.html
http://corvettephotographs.com/c4vettes/codes.htm
What they mean:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1576116036-post35.html
I suggest you get a fuel pressure gauge and then check the pressure under the following conditions:
1 - Turn on ignition -- do not start the engine.
2 - Start engine and let it idle.
3 - Turn off engine and check fuel pressure after 15 minutes.
Obviously you can't do #2 if the engine won't start, but do #1 and #3 and let us know what happens.
But wait, there's more...
When you first turn on the ignition the ECM turns on the fuel pump by turning on the fuel pump relay for 2 seconds. This pressurizes the fuel rails in preparation for starting the engine. The ECM turns off the fuel pump after 2 seconds so that the fuel pump won't run continuously if the ignition is turned on but the engine is not started.
The ECM again turns on the fuel pump when it sees DRPs (Distributor Reference Pulses) from the ignition module inside the distributor. From your description it appears that this is not happening.
The ECM uses the DRPs to synchronize the firing of the injectors to the rotation of the engine, whether cranking or running.
It appears that your engine is running on the fuel from the cold start injector but the injectors are never being fired (missing DRPs from ignition module to ECM -- or the ECM itself could be bad). You can have your ignition module tested at most auto parts stores. It is connected to the ECM through a 4 wire harness that comes out of the back of the distributor. Note that the ignition module gets very hot and needs to have THERMAL (NOT dielectric) grease under it.
One more thing... The cold start thermo switch times out after 8 seconds of cranking (it's turned on by the ignition switch in the CRANK position). That means that the engine probably won't fire at all after the first couple of tries.
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Where's a good place to get a blank VATS key cut? It's getting hard to find stores where you can still hand a key to an actual human to cut it for you.

Where's a good place to get a blank VATS key cut? It's getting hard to find stores where you can still hand a key to an actual human to cut it for you.
Where's a good place to get a blank VATS key cut? It's getting hard to find stores where you can still hand a key to an actual human to cut it for you.
The earlier cars have the SECURITY light connected to the UTD (Universal Theft Deterrent) system -- the one operated by the door locks. It works like this:
SECURITY light flashing -- door is open, system is NOT armed.
SECURITY light on solid -- door is open, system IS armed.
SECURITY light is off -- door is closed or ignition is turned on.
The earlier cars have the SECURITY light connected to the UTD (Universal Theft Deterrent) system -- the one operated by the door locks. It works like this:
SECURITY light flashing -- door is open, system is NOT armed.
SECURITY light on solid -- door is open, system IS armed.
SECURITY light is off -- door is closed or ignition is turned on.
The earlier cars have the SECURITY light connected to the UTD (Universal Theft Deterrent) system -- the one operated by the door locks. It works like this:
SECURITY light flashing -- door is open, system is NOT armed.
SECURITY light on solid -- door is open, system IS armed.
SECURITY light is off -- door is closed or ignition is turned on.
I tried to get the OP to commit to what his key was to see if maybe he just had an incorrect cylinder installed in the column, a replacement column and he responded correctly mentioning that he had a crank, runs and quits which meant that the key even if it were a VATS with "NO POD" (his description) wasn't important because he actually has a NO VATS '85 car. OP mentioned VATS problem, at the time is his car an '85 really or what? Runs and quits answered the question.
The '84 - '89 "Forced Entry Module" is the same so anyone with experience with the system for any of those years should be able to help. Maybe your own thread and mention "Forced Entry" or UTD but no mention VATS.
I would guess the first thing I'd check for is a bad door theft arming switch. If an arming switch were bad it would seem to likely give you the security light. Those are '84 - '87 only one style. The '88 & '89 are different. It would be a good "stand alone" thread I'd think. You're likely not alone.
Last edited by WVZR-1; May 17, 2014 at 05:57 PM.
The one where it won't crank over (could be related to the security system )
or one where is won't fire up without spraying fluid ?????
Two completely different unrelated problems.
















