VATS.. again

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Dec 10, 2005 | 06:50 AM

stonemo

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Intermediate

Joined: Dec 2004

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From: Joplin Missouri

VATS.. again

91 L98 Coupe ... Was at Walmarts and car wouldnt start, no click, nothing. Been having this problem for a few months. But just sitting and waiting for vats to reset and not knowing for sure what the problem was. Well this time, wouldnt start. Called wife and had her bring tools and multimeter, pulled panel under steering column and found two wire connector for vats, disconnected and checked resistance..to see if key switch was reading key... NOTHING...all this time thought it was the key. Since I had my extra key with me.. now dont laugh.. got 2 peices of wire about 6 inches long and carefully stripped and placed on each side of key used small zip ties and black tape to hold in place, checking with multimeter to make sure i had connection. Hooked this up in place of the key switch at the 2 wire connector under dash and VROOOOM ..car started right up...Guess I just made a poor mans Vats bypass.. Is there anyway to repair the connections inside the key switch or do i need to go buy a new one? and wont that mean ill have a different key? Im just glad I know what it is now!! Thanks to all who have posted in here.. coulda never figured it out with out you guys!!

Dec 10, 2005 | 08:34 AM

skybolt31

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 1,491

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From: Westfield MA

I don't know the answer to your question, but I wanted to say I am impressed wtih your ability to improvise!

Dec 10, 2005 | 08:39 AM

ClarenceT

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Joined: Aug 2004

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From: Oceansaide CA

Go buy a resistor that's that range, and put it in place of your key. I did it, and was never late to another midterm.

Dec 10, 2005 | 10:34 AM

96_LT4_FE1

Racer

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 447

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From: Titletown WI

I had one where the wire broke behind the steering wheel. You could check for that.
Otherwise, if its the lock cylinder, AFAIK, you have to replace the whole cylinder. The good news is, they are alot cheaper than they once were.
The last option, which was mentioned, is just bypass it with some rat shack resistors. Thats what I did.
»keith

Dec 10, 2005 | 07:13 PM

stonemo

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Intermediate

Joined: Dec 2004

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From: Joplin Missouri

Thanks guys, guess I need to pull the steering wheel and check for a broken wire.
The thought of having to leave my vette in some park lot must have brought out the Mcguyver in me!!

Dec 10, 2005 | 08:08 PM

Bob CTS

Race Director

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 17,640

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From: Lenoir City TN

St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96_LT4_FE1

I have the same problem w/ my 86 the cylinder is worn out even with the used key and the new key it still will not make contact, Santa should be bringing me a new cylinder (~$40 GM) but I will have to have new keys cut because the new cylinder comes with a dummy key, and GM said the keys witht the pellet were like ~$30 each

I also think you have to use the old wire that runs down the column to pull the new one so dont pull it out when you remove the old cylinder cut it first, then use tape to fasten the new wire to it, then pull at the bottom of the column.

Bob

Bob

Dec 11, 2005 | 01:55 AM

jfb

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 54,124

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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA

I recommend that you replace the lock cylinder which will have new contacts that make connection with your pellet. Don't permanently bypass VATS because 99% of thefts are done by bashing the column and jumping the ignition. The person I bought my 87 from bought a 90 and after a few months they came out of work to find the driver window powdered and the column busted open but the 90 vette never budged an inch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
About 6-7 years ago I used a resistor to bypass my VATS until I could schedule a cylinder replacement and I haven't had a problem starting since and I drive my 87 everyday!

Dec 11, 2005 | 01:58 AM

96_LT4_FE1

Racer

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 447

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From: Titletown WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by rspreng86

..and GM said the keys witht the pellet were like ~$30 each

...

There was a thread a while back on key prices, and if you go to a generic hardware store/lock place, they've gotten pretty cheap. I wanna say I paid $15 a copy, and everyone else who posted paid less, I think one guy got his for $6 or $7 each.
Still a hefty price for a key, but doable. »keith