1985 vats
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 429
Likes: 18
From: Slinger Wisconsin
1985 vats
I've read the owners manual many times and don't quite get it. All I want to do is get out of the car, lock the doors, arm the security and then unlock the doors, start the car and go. how do I do that without setting off the alarm....the neighbors are getting a little ticked off.
Frank
Frank
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,427
Likes: 604
From: Minneapolis Mn
First off that's not the vats system, that's the security system.
If you want to test it out, just unhook the horns and plug a light or something comparable in their place so you can see if it's interacting or not.
PS the 85's didn't have the vats system, that started in 86.
If you want to test it out, just unhook the horns and plug a light or something comparable in their place so you can see if it's interacting or not.
PS the 85's didn't have the vats system, that started in 86.
Last edited by hcbph; May 28, 2019 at 04:44 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
I've read the owners manual many times and don't quite get it. All I want to do is get out of the car, lock the doors, arm the security and then unlock the doors, start the car and go. how do I do that without setting off the alarm....the neighbors are getting a little ticked off.
Frank
Frank
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
VATS has nothing to do with alarm. VATS wasn't available in 1985. The theft deterrent operates of power lock switch. Pressing lock arms alarm. Door key or unlock button disarms alarm. Manually unlocking and opening door without disarming actives alarm. There is no shock sensor either. There is no chirping arming or disarming theft deterrent. If you are using remote it's aftermarket system.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
If you're approaching the locked car, unlocking it by putting your key in the door and turning the key to unlock it, then when you open the door the alarm sounds....I'd suggest that you test the switch in the door lock, which is part of the outside door handle assy. Where you insert the key, there is a little switch that is part of that assy. It "Tells" the theft module that the owner (or someone w/the door key) unlocked the car...so no horns.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
As our cars age, this is becoming a more common problem. As Tom described, the problem is the switch in the door key, that is supposed to deactivate the alarm when you unlock the door with your key. To prevent this problem, use the sliding lock bar on the inside of the door, rather than the push button, as you exit the car. The alarm won't be active, but you won't have that aggravating wake-up call every time you unlock the door from the outside. The right answer, of course, is to fix the door key switch that is inside the door.
- 1986 Original Owner -
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: North Yorkshire, England
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Try to disarm by unlocking the passenger door with the key. The switch in the passenger door handle gets used much less over the years and therefore lasts longer.
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