Is there a quick fix for a VATS problem? Or what is the cost to have VATS repaired?

 

Have that chick in the truck give you a ride to your nearest GM service center and have them scan your ignition key to get your confidential VATS code (1 thru 16 I think). Then call Eckler's and order their VATS bypass harness (it may not be in their catalog, but they have them). They need to know that code number and year (and about $35 after shipping). It plugs into a small harness behind the knee panel below the steering column. I might have one for a Code 15 somewhere. It is common for the 'chip' in your keys to get worn over time and from jingling around in your pocket. The terminals in the ignition also can lose contact with the key after ten zillion in and out cyclings. Good luck.

 

It is a bad idea to bypass your VATS because 99% of thefts are done by bashing the column and jumping the ignition. And it is even more dumb to pay $25 for a bypass kit when you can bypass VATS with a 1/4 watt resistor you can buy from Radio Shack!
The best thing to do is find out what part of your VATS system is malfunctioning and get it fixed. I drive my 87 vette every day and have been doing so for 16 years and I had to replace the ignition tumbler once because the contacts stopped making connection to the pellet in my key. If you can't crank the engine, first try your spare ign key as its pellet isn't as worn as your everyday key. Next try jumping the clutch safety switch (gear selector switch if automatic) and try a crank. If no crank, pull the panel above your feet and look for a pair of wires (white in my 87) that go to a 2 pin connector and unplug the connector. Measure the resistance across the wires from the steering column with the key in the ign sw. It should measure the same as the pellet in your key and if it is above 13k ohms, you need a new ign tumbler. You can temporarily bypass VATS by jumping a fixed resistor (a 5% 1/4 watt resistor from Radio Shack will do) the same value as your pellet across the 2 pin connector going into the wiring harness until you can schedule the tumbler replacement.

 

I tried both set of keys and no crank. Of course when I wait five minutes it fires right up.

Just wondering...can you program a chip to disable the VATS?

 

The quick and easy fix is to do the bypass. The right way is to replace the ignition tumbler and keys. It is not that expensive, but is much more labor intensive (removing the steering wheel, dismantling the column, etc.). The bypass is hidden from view and C4 Corvettes have become less than profitable for car thieves.

 

Go to radio shack and read the resistance of the little black chip on your key. Find the closest resistance value below and buy resistors at Radio Shack that match it
# | Resistance
1 | 402
2 | 23
3 | 681
4 | 887
5 | 1130
6 | 1407
7 | 1870
8 | 2370
9 | 3010
10 | 3740
11 | 4750
12 | 6040
13 | 7500
14 | 9530
15 | 11800
Now, below the steering column you'll see 2 white wires go into a connector and come out a brown and brown/white wire. Disconnect this. Twist the resistors that make the proper resistance in series (--(r1)--*--(r2)--*--(r3)-- etc.). Connect the free ends into the 2 prongs of the brown and brown/white connector. Make sure none of the resistor leads touch each other other than where they are twisted, this will significantly change the resistance. Tape it up and have fun!

 

Maybe I will try this first. What do you mean by (r1)--*--(r2)*--(r3)*--?

 

He means that you need two standard value resistors (available from Radio Shack) whose resistance values when added together equal one of the standard pellet values which he listed. You can use one standard value resistor if it is within 5% of the value your pellet is.
Also, no, you cannot program a bypass for VATS.

 

[QUOTE=VB Black Ice] Connect the free ends into the 2 prongs of the brown and brown/white connector. QUOTE]

How did you connect the resistors to the 2 prongs? I had the resistors and tried using butt connectors that would slide over the prongs with just enough friction, but had no luck. I even tried crimping them down a little and couldn't get it right, so ended up buying the kit. Haven't had a problem since.

 

Someone told me to lock and unlock the door a few times then try to start car. I did this and she fires right up. Is this a temporary thing?

If I was to buy a bypass kit what would I be getting?A wire and plug?

Sorry for all the dumb questions.

 

The Eckler's bypass consists of a small, two prong, connector that plugs into the small factory connector behind the lower panel. It also has a few inches of two wires that lead to a larger, weatherpack type end that is just a protective housing for the resistor that matches your key's code. It is designed to plug right into your car's harness and to lay flat and tuck up under the panel. No cutting, soldering, ohming, calculating, electrifying, zoottesting, binary subtraction, or head scratching. It comes with decent instructions and installs in about 10 minutes. It sounds like yours is a typical worn ignition contacts and it will probably get worse until it refuses to recognize any of your keys, even after the 5 minute reset period. I am all about engineering and fabricating my own stuff, and prefer the right way as opposed to the easy way. But sometimes you have to buy the overpriced 'snake oil' and move on to more important things.

 

Bend the free ends of the resistors in a U-shape just wider than the prongs on your connector so it creates a spring-loaded fit. The makeshift diagram meant to connect them in series, one after the other. If you twist all the leads together (whats called a parallel circuit) your resistance will be significantly different. when your done your connector should be something like this:

==Brown==[connector side 1]<--{resistor 1}--*twist*--{resistor2}-->[connector side 2]==Brown/White==

Sorry about the ASCII art :-)

 

I made up one of my own. The most expensive part is the GM plug. Got a small project box and a few resistors at Radio Shack for a few bucks.

 

it is a recall item dealer has to fix for free if they have not yet they will replace vats and cut new keys why get a bypass when they will put a new one in?? call them up and tell them you have some recall items it dosent mater how old the car is they have to fix it for free also master cylender brake sensore recall can cause brake faliure without warning go to auto zone .com and check recall notices for your year vette

 

Well, I have it, and you can keep it in VATs mode, Bypass or Total Disable the car... its not only a bypass as the resistor does. Have one and saved me when the vats went out...
So consider all options.
vinnie