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Jun 4, 2005 | 11:39 AM

Vette 89

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 181

Likes: 2

From: Chilliwack BC

Need Help

Sad story and I now need help. My friend Brad from Washington State was killed last week while working on his tractor landscaping the property at their new home he & his wife had just built. He was a member of the forum mainly on the C3.
Anyway his wife has an 87 and somehow she or one of the family got the ignition key stuck halfway in. Anyway it ended up that they could only get the key in 3/4 of the way, I have now managed to get the key all the way in and it turns as if to start the engine (we have full voltage) but it will not turn over. I think the problem is the VATS but need some help in diagnosing the problem and how to go about fixing it.

Thanks

Jun 4, 2005 | 12:08 PM

Morley

Drifting

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 1,923

Likes: 0

From: GA

Sounds like maybe the vats pellet may have gotten knocked off the key andwas jamming it in the lock. going to neer to get that key out and have a look. If the pellet comes out with the key, try a spare key to start it.

Jun 4, 2005 | 05:05 PM

Vette 89

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 181

Likes: 2

From: Chilliwack BC

Key is in perfect shape also tried, the spare same result.

Jun 4, 2005 | 10:45 PM

corvetteronw

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 16,475

Likes: 270

From: Kingman AZ

Cruise-In VII Veteran

Cruise-In VIII

St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16

Go to "Other" at top of page and do a search under C4 for VATS. Lots of info there. If you go to a key shop they can read the resistance of the pellet. Then get a resistor from Radio Shack and unplug the wire at the base of the steering column and plug your resistor in. Should start with the key as you have just done a VATS bypass. You can buy a bypass kit from MAM or Corvette Central but it will cost a bunch more.
I just tore my dash apart as my problem was the VATS Decoder Module.
You should also be aware that there was a TSB from Chevrolet in 1988 telling the dealer to replace the ignition lock and keys for the 86-88 Corvette. It seems the new cylinder and keys are less prone to wearing out.
PM me if you have problems but I think a VATS bypass will probably work.
You can also find info on this at wwwcorvetteactioncenter.com
There is so much info there that it is almost mind boggling! Good luck and our sympathy to the family.