VATS issue
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,089
Likes: 819
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
VATS issue
Since I bought this Ruby in April, this is the first time it has given me the VATS issue. When I try and start the car, the security light stays lit. I give it 5 minutes before I try and start it. One try, I gave it 10 minutes. And none of that works. Luckily, it's at home. Any ideas on what I could do to get it to start?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,089
Likes: 819
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
The purpose of checking the resistance at the bottom of the steering column on the connector is to prove that the ignition key cylinder contacts and the wires are good. Most VATS problems are caused in this area. I had a bent contact in my ignition key cylinder and I have heard of cases where the tiny white wires have broken. They get flexed every time the ignition cylinder is turned.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 605
From: Minneapolis Mn
You can also get a VATs bypass through places like Ecklers, in effect a dongle with a built-in resistor so it has to match the value on the key. Just unplug that connection from the steering column and plug it into the wiring going to the VATs module. It in effect provides the resistance to the unit from the module instead of the key. If it's in the column, that should prove that's the problem or not as the case may be.
Nice thing is you don't cut any wiring so it's plug and play to use and reversible if desired.
Nice thing is you don't cut any wiring so it's plug and play to use and reversible if desired.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 202
you simply insert your Meter leads in both of the terminals on the orange lead. This closes the loop. Just like reading your key.
A very cost effective Bypass. In the event the ignition wires are shorted or broken. You can purchase a 50 cent resister with the same key value. Close the loop at the other end of the orange lead.
A very cost effective Bypass. In the event the ignition wires are shorted or broken. You can purchase a 50 cent resister with the same key value. Close the loop at the other end of the orange lead.
Last edited by THE 383 admiral; Dec 23, 2014 at 09:19 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,089
Likes: 819
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Security light stays on(doesn't flash) when I try to start it. Isn't that the usual VATS sign?
My dad is on the way with the ohm meter. What if they ohm at the same numbers?
My dad is on the way with the ohm meter. What if they ohm at the same numbers?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 202
Turn the key to ACC & Off a few times, while reading the orange lead value.
If the value does not change. Your key resistor & ignition leads are good.
I would also check the keys resistor, is it contacting both sides of the ignition lock all the time. The Ohm test you are currently checking. Will determine.
If the value does not change. Your key resistor & ignition leads are good.
I would also check the keys resistor, is it contacting both sides of the ignition lock all the time. The Ohm test you are currently checking. Will determine.
Last edited by THE 383 admiral; Dec 23, 2014 at 03:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,089
Likes: 819
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,089
Likes: 819
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Just as I was going to ohm the orange lead connector, when I turned it on(set to 20k), it was 6.something
Oh well, I'll get to it later.
Oh well, I'll get to it later.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 42
From: Baltimore, MD USA
Take a piece of wire and short pin A to pin G on the diag. connector.
Turn the ignition On
Look at the LCD
Verify if any trouble codes are set.
Module 1 is CCM
Module 4 is the ECM
After the numbers stop. 1.0 should be displayed.
Press Trip ODO until 1.2 is displayed.
Press Eng/Met until 06 xxx is displayed
Note the value of xxx
There are 15 possible numbers. (15 different key pellet values).
If the xxx does not match any of the numbers below the key pellet is not being read properly and is why the Security light is staying on.
Try a different key if you have one and see what the results are.
33-38 Key code 1
42-47 key code 2
52-58 key code 3
64-70 key code 4
76-83 key code 5
91-98 key code 6
106-113 key code 7
121-128 key code 8
]136-143 key code 9
149-156 key code 10
164-170 key code 11
177-183 key code 12
188-194 key code 13
199-204 key code 14
208-213 key code 15
Last edited by Hooked on Vettes; Dec 23, 2014 at 08:47 PM.