Hey, Hello everyone, ive been trying to bring an ol 1987 Corvette back to life...but i chose to come here to general discussion vs tech and performance because those questions i had for those folks, have all been answered and greatly appreciated and through their expertise i was able to get to the point to where im at now...Im in desperate need of a VATS Interrogator tool, ive been on the internet for hours and i cant seem to find out where i can go and pick one up....oh sure i can take my chances and order one online, but i just cant believe that there isnt somebody that doesn't carry these or has one to sell in my local Orange County, LB/ LA area...any advise where i should be looking to try and locate one ? either to buy or rent? or even how to go about finding someone that has one i could hire to give me a reading ? or should i just go ahead and order one online ? but if thats the case....then from whom ?? thank you .

 

Most older lock shops should have access to one. Use the telephone! Loan/rent? Maybe but might also only be a 'for hire'. You could also use a 10K potentiometer and do nearly all of the resistances your self. NOT ALL but nearly all!

If you have a current registration you actually might try a GM dealer and ask them to do what they call a 'KEY CALL' - it's not unheard of to have the VATS code transmitted with the codes if they're available. Many/most dealers charge for the service - you might mention I'll pay if the VATS code is transmitted works and/or if it doesn't work I'll pay half? Do you have a relationship with a GM dealer parts department?

​​​​​​​I believe the only one you can't do with a 10K potentiometer is #15

 

I bought one on fleabay 2 years ago for $130. If only I wasn't 1000 miles away from you.... I only see one on ebay right now and it listing for $300 + shipping.... There has to be someone in SOCAL with one that can help you.. Come on SOCAL CF members........

 

Unless he is using it for something other than its intended use, then he doesn't need the Interrogator. WVZR-1 gave him the solution to his conundrum. A trip to the electronics store with a 10.00 bill will solve it. In fact, if he took action on this yesterday, odds are good he has his answer by now instead of still waiting.

 

Hello arbee, how ya doin ? You know what ? your absolutely right...Sir WVZR-1, did in fact give me some solutions on how to deal with the VATS.....its been well over a month now.. that he and a few others gave my mechanic and i their thoughts on what we needed to do before we dive into the VATS...and we took their advice serious and we are glad we did, because found some problem areas that had to be attended to ..so now we're pretty sure we,re dealing with the VATS now...im pretty sure the dreaded code 46 is pretty much a VATS slam dunk..right?......anyway ....i have a confession to make, lol....ok you guys.. my mechanic sent me off to our local electronics store and ive got a box of all the resisters 1 - 15 off the GM Chart Sheet.....and we'll probably begin the task of going through them soon....ok. look; ..on the level.. going through all those resisters , then having to wait 10 min between each one.... sounds like a major pain in the ***...yeah i know we could save a lot of money verses the tool ...but come on fellas ..whats OUR time worth here...lol..please dont think im acting like a preemadonna..,ok?...hey I aint rich ..far from it ....but it just sounds like that tool is worth its wait in gold for someone in my situation. and its worth the price to get one...ah hell, i dont know...BUT..ID LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK 1985 VETTE FOR CHIMING IN,,only because he fully understand where im coming from..as far as; where can i go buy one of these tools in my local SoCal area vs ordering online.. thats all.. so heres what im going to do ; Im going to follow WVZR-1s advise on places where i might locate one etc... if i cant locate one of these tools close by or cant get my code from GM within the next few days , then il begin fiddlin with those frickin resisters and if those fail then ..and only then.. will i order one on line...one last thing if any of you guys know anything about ..i guess that Gator bypass module is pretty popular .. what are your guys thoughts on that device...just curious thank you..

 

Did you ever repair the connector that was damaged and plug it in?


But yea, if you are going to own/work on these cars it helps to have the tool. And as a tip, I usually start on code #5 and work up. I have rarely found a 1-4.

 

I've an acquaintance/friend that always started in the middle 8 and then -1/+1 7, 9, 6, 10, 5, 11, 4, 12, 3, 13, 2, 14 and 15. You don't need to worry about 1 generally except you've an '87 so you might have to. I've done that also and done pretty well.