key help
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 397
From: Clay New York
key help
I'm in the process of buying a 1995 convertible that the owner, who has dementia, lost the keys and the family can't find them. I went to a Chevy dealer and got the keys for the door and the ignition (minus the vats chip). When he got the codes for the keys the vats resistance code section was blank, something he has never seen. Other than pulling the vats module to get the right code any suggestions? I know I can do the bypass thing but just trying to get it going without too much grief.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
If the dealer can't look up the VATS resistance code, it seems your only option is to get one of each (I think there are 15), cut them, and find out which will start the engine. (Cutting that many of the same blank might get you a volume discount from a locksmith LOL... just looking for a silver lining here!)
In order to bypass the VATS system I understand that you need to know the resistance value, so you can't just do a bypass without more information anyway.
Maybe there is a variable resistor on the market, that you can hook up and swing it through the range of resistance values until you find one that works? And use that to do a bypass?
I wonder if the National Corvette Museum or another GM historical organization has access to any of the VATS information...
In order to bypass the VATS system I understand that you need to know the resistance value, so you can't just do a bypass without more information anyway.
Maybe there is a variable resistor on the market, that you can hook up and swing it through the range of resistance values until you find one that works? And use that to do a bypass?
I wonder if the National Corvette Museum or another GM historical organization has access to any of the VATS information...
Last edited by DGXR; Oct 19, 2017 at 03:08 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,387
Likes: 2,741
I'm in the process of buying a 1995 convertible that the owner, who has dementia, lost the keys and the family can't find them. I went to a Chevy dealer and got the keys for the door and the ignition (minus the vats chip). When he got the codes for the keys the vats resistance code section was blank, something he has never seen. Other than pulling the vats module to get the right code any suggestions? I know I can do the bypass thing but just trying to get it going without too much grief.
I've got an Interrogator but I'm not close.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 19, 2017 at 04:49 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
I don't know if this would work for a 95 or not but you could make resistors for each key value, then unplug the two wire vats ignition circuit under the steering column and try each resistor in the harness plug going to the module. It's essentially the vats ignition bypass but you can get the resistance value that way and have keys made.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 397
From: Clay New York
key help
My friend is going to call gm and see if they can offer any help. Once I get the car I'm hoping the keys are in there. The owners son apparently doesn't want to even bother trying to get in the car so I'm just waiting until I can. Might try the locksmith route, another friend suggested that as well. Worse case ill play lottery with the resistance values and see how many tries it takes ! Thanks for the suggestions!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 603
Likes: 45
From: Baltimore County MD
vats key
I'm in the process of buying a 1995 convertible that the owner, who has dementia, lost the keys and the family can't find them. I went to a Chevy dealer and got the keys for the door and the ignition (minus the vats chip). When he got the codes for the keys the vats resistance code section was blank, something he has never seen. Other than pulling the vats module to get the right code any suggestions? I know I can do the bypass thing but just trying to get it going without too much grief.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
Another way of duplicating the possible resistances is to get yourself a $2 potentiometer. You can use it to dial in all the possibilities. This is what I did when I lost my only ignition key to my 91. 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 397
From: Clay New York
key help
"Good bargaining point" ....yes it was !!!! Went to get it yesterday but there was a lien still listed on the title. Was dated 1999 so I'm pretty sure its paid off by now but they're going to the bank, hopefully today, and get the release...
Last edited by ls777z; Oct 23, 2017 at 04:34 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 397
From: Clay New York
key help
Got the call Saturday the lien release had arrived. Met him Sunday and the car is now mine. Door key worked but when I attempted to put the ignition key in, no such luck. Turns out the wrong key blank was used, new key made, again no luck. Sometime over the years the lock cylinder had been replaced. Only choice was to change cylinder so that was done. Now its a matter of getting hood open and installing a battery and then trying to figure out the right VATS code.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 397
From: Clay New York
key update
After a lot of thought decided to buy the keys. Was quoted $18 a key but after a little talking would do it for $10 apiece. Didn't really want to throw away $$$ so I decided to try the odd numbers first, not using 1 as suggested. 3,wait,5,wait,etc. And the magic number ???........13 ! Turned the key and as soon as I heard it start to turn over stopped. Pulled the coil fuse, turned it over a couple of times without firing, put fuse back in and turned the key and fired right up. Would have liked to let it run for awhile but the gauge said reserve so shut it off. Time to get the gas can filled with some premium non-ethanol......
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 6,509
From: Melbourne, FL
Get a potentiometer. It's a variable resistor. Turn it until you find the right resistance to start it, then measure it with an ohmmeter or multimeter. Then you know the correct resistance.
EDIT: Nevermind. I see that you got it running. Congrats!
EDIT: Nevermind. I see that you got it running. Congrats!
Last edited by FAUEE; Nov 4, 2017 at 11:33 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 177
From: NE Ohio
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
After a lot of thought decided to buy the keys. Was quoted $18 a key but after a little talking would do it for $10 apiece. Didn't really want to throw away $$$ so I decided to try the odd numbers first, not using 1 as suggested. 3,wait,5,wait,etc. And the magic number ???........13 ! Turned the key and as soon as I heard it start to turn over stopped. Pulled the coil fuse, turned it over a couple of times without firing, put fuse back in and turned the key and fired right up. Would have liked to let it run for awhile but the gauge said reserve so shut it off. Time to get the gas can filled with some premium non-ethanol......
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 397
From: Clay New York
key help: update
Filled up my 5 gallon gas can with premium and put it in the car. Started right up and let it run for about 20 minutes. Tested every switch, button, **** and everything worked except radio ! Powers up but no sound at all. Next day I went to insurance agent and added it to my Hagerty policy and then to DMV to get it registered. Since the weather was crappy I decided not to take it for a drive. Of course that night my friend called and said he would be at his pole barn early the next morning if I wanted to put it away. DAMN !!! Got to my sisters early the next morning, put on the rear plate, drove to gas station where I filled the tank and then drove the 13 miles and tucked it away until March/April. P.S. as soon as I can get the pictures I have off my camera I will post them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Filled up my 5 gallon gas can with premium and put it in the car. Started right up and let it run for about 20 minutes. Tested every switch, button, **** and everything worked except radio ! Powers up but no sound at all. Next day I went to insurance agent and added it to my Hagerty policy and then to DMV to get it registered. Since the weather was crappy I decided not to take it for a drive. Of course that night my friend called and said he would be at his pole barn early the next morning if I wanted to put it away. DAMN !!! Got to my sisters early the next morning, put on the rear plate, drove to gas station where I filled the tank and then drove the 13 miles and tucked it away until March/April. P.S. as soon as I can get the pictures I have off my camera I will post them.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 397
From: Clay New York
pics
Yes, same location. My sister is kind enough to let me park a car in her driveway in the summer. It helps that its a corvette and she tolerates my el camino.
and here is my 84.