Sometimes on my 89 roadster when I turn the key on and nothing happens I figure its the vats working (I hate that)but sometimes when I turn on the key I hear the starter solonoid click and nothing again, I have put in a new starter,positive cable, checked all grounds and battery, alternator and the only thing that I can see this problem to be is the VATS , QUESTION IS, would the vats let the starter solonoin engage before arming itself?I see that Mid America sells a vate bypass and was wondering from the forum if this is my problem and is the vats bypass worth the money, any help would be appriciated.

traxx1

 

I would thinK if you hear the solinoid click the VATS is working. But if NOTHING happens it could be the VATS. Get a new key made and try using that, see if the problem persists.


[Modified by Rex Ruby, 12:34 PM 8/9/2001]

 

After going though a long drawn out bout of exactly the same problem, the solinoid was the problem. Even if the starter and solinoid are new, I would tell you to 1. make sure the battery contacts are clean and if that don't fix it 2. replace the solinoid only. If the solinoid and starter are older replace them both. Sometimes you can get a bad solinoid.

I forgot to say "turn the key an nothing = VATS or dead battery" turn the key and a "click" = battery cable connections or solinoid.


[Modified by vette87, 2:26 PM 8/9/2001]

 

I have a NEW starter and new positive cable and did try a new key, still the same.

traxx1 :confused:

 

I had problems with my Vats on my 86, I finally got the by-pass switch from Mid-America and never had a problem again. Although I did not get the click first.

 

If the click you hear if from behind the dash, then you are hearing the start enable relay which supplies power to the starter solenoid. If the start enable relay contacts are worn out, then it will click but not supply 12 volts to the starter solenoid and the starter will not run. If you hear a click from the start solenoid and the starter doesn't run, then you may have a poor batt to cable to starter post connection which has enough resistance to not pass enough current to make the starter run. A new starter can also have enough paint on its front flange to make a poor electrical connection to the block causing it to not run although the start solenoid will click. If the batt voltage falls below 9 volts in start position, then you might have a poor cable connection or a discharged battery or a battery at the end of its life. If you jump 12 v to the purple wire (start solenoid wire) , then the starter should run and if it does, then you have a worn out start enable relay. If you bypass the start enable relay, then you open yourself to an easy theft of your vehicle, because a thief can bust your column open , jump the ign sw and drive your car away. 99% of car thieves are too stupid to know how to defeat your VATS and I personally know C4 owners that went to their car , found the window and column busted but the car didn't move from where it was parked. I recommend you not bypass your VATS.

 

There's a simple way to tell if the VATS is preventing the car from being started. It will light the "Security" light on the dash when it doesn't allow the car to be started. When I had a problem with my VATS, the "Security" light came on immediately when I turned the key to the run position even before the start position. You also won't get any click at all from the starter.

- Mark