I realize that this topic has been covered over and over but even after searching past postings I am still unsure of what I should do. Tonight I had what I believe was a VATS failure. My 93 was running perfectly all day. A quick trip to the store tonight and it would not start, no click, nothing. I had the starter motor replaced last month too so I know its not that. The security light was either blinking or stayed lit while I was attempting to start it up. I immediately went for my hidden spare key, still no luck getting it to start. Next I went and disconnected the negative terminal on the battery for a couple of mins. Reconnected it, tried the spare key again, nothing. Waited about 5-6 mins tried the spare key again and it fired up like nothing. I did not get any SES light up and because I disconnected the battery I assume that it would have erased any codes. My questions for the forum.... Will a VATS bypass eliminate this from ever happening again? If so what is the best way to go about doing it. I checked Mid america and CC all I could find for bypass kits were for 86-89. Should I just replace the lock cylinder instead? How big of a PITA is this for my 93 with the airbag? I also attempted to find a new cylinder and all I could find was for older vettes. Again I realize that this is a issue that has been talked about to death, any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

If your '93 has the same VATS system as my '86, there are a few temporary 'fixes' that will get you going in a pinch. First, make sure the pellets on your key are clean. Scuff them up and make sure you're getting good contact. Second, and you must be careful doing this, take an open paperclip and gently pry the contacts in your ignition switch towards the center. These contacts, after time, will 'splay' outward making it difficult for the pellets to touch both at the same time. Short of finding a kit the deactivates the system, any good electrical shop (Stereo installers, etc.) should be able to bypass it fairly easily. That's what I did for mine. You could also do a search, and I'm sure you could find the details on doing it yourself.

 

I suffered that on my '87.It would always start if you waited,sometimes needed to sit overnight!!!Anyway it turned out to be the starter enable relay which is part of the vats system.I just bypassed it but if you want to keep your vats going it's a real cheap part.p/n#14093107.You will find it behind the cental display screen on top of the radio.Just need to pull the center section of the dash to get at it.5 minutes at most.

 

99% of thefts are done by bashing the column and jumping the ignition. If you want no protection against 99% of thefts, then bypass your VATS. The better thing to do is to keep your car in good repair and find out why it won't start and fix it. Most likely the contacts in the ignition lock are worn and no longer make reliable connection to the pellet. You can determine this by finding the 2 wires from the steering column that go to a 2 pin connector. Unplug, insert key, and measure the resistance across the wires from the steering column. They should measure the same as your pellet. If the resistance is more than about 4% difference than the pellet, or if over 13k ohms, you need a new lock cylinder. If your headlight burned out would you epoxy a flashlight onto the hood? This is a no brainer!!!

 

I should add this can be an intermittent fault and hard as hell to diagnose.By the time AAA arrives the damn thing has started and it won't throw a code.two shops went through mine and found nothing wrong -till the next time!Eventually I worked it out for myself. GMPartsDirect has it for $11.75 if you want to try it.

 

You hit me with the flash light on the hood line on this topic awhile back and I thought it was un cool but now I see you are making a point about this problem. But really, some people take as you being a smart a--. You did repost all the different keys and what they should measure. I had my lock and switch replaced and no more problems per your advice.

 

jfb and other long timers, have answered the same entry level questions a hundred times over. The continued posting of the same questions could be resolved 90% of the time by using the tools available on the forum: i.e.: 'Search function' & 'Tech Tips'. People just need to take a minute to research and learn the forum before blasting questions that have already been answered....
'Just my opion'

 

www.vatssucks.com

Sorry I don't have more info on my site for late C4's, but there may be some schematics that might help you out there.
There is also some good info to read up for the early C4's (especially 86-89 models, complete with pics, how to's part numbers w/prices, etc) that may lead you to what you need to figure out in your late C4. I hope this helps you out some.

If you do anything to fix yours, would you mind snapping a few pics and sending me a quick write up on what you did? I would really like some late C4 info to help people out with.

On the early C4's, repairing all 3 parts is cheaper than removing all 3 parts COMBINED (due to part 3 being a computer programming job)

Single components were cheaper to replace though.

It is definately cheaper to bypass the lock cyl that it is to replace it (if that is the issue). $26ish for one of those plug in resistor kits, or mine cost me $.06 to do it myself with a solder iron and a few resistors from radioshack.
A new lock cylinder is $45 (for my year, should be the same part though) and new keys are $15/ea (which you MUST also get).

If the starter enable relay (not sure if your year has this) is free to bypass, or VERY cheap to replace ($12-16).

Then there is the computer part, which for me I had to burn a new chip in my year car, but yours would need to be programmed out, whcih cost me another $200, but I was getting a new chip burned anyway, so I just had them program it out at the time. You would have to check with your local shops to see what this costs, or it could be free if you know of someone that does this for the LT cars.

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Don't be afraid to remove your VATS. I did, and it's the best thing I ever did to my car. My security light STILL comes on sometimes, but I am not stranded anymore.

IF you even care about someone jacking your car (which I believe nobody cares about C4's anymore with all the easier cars out there to take (civics, etc)... then invest in a decent aftermarket alarm. You can get all the same stuff, but even better. Also, it's MUCH easier to remove an aftermatket system if it ever goes on the fritz, unlike VATS, which requires removing multiple components and reprograming your computer.

I added keyless entry, starter kill (the ONLY thing vats does), shock sensors, and loud alarm when I had mine installed. I feel this is a MUCH better system than VATS ever was. At least with this, you can deter people from going near the car. With VATS, you can still have your window smashed, ebrake/gears disengaged, then it can still be towed right off without anyone hearing a peep from VATS.

Several forum members have had their C4's stolen... a lot of good VATS did them.

I could rant on for hours on how the entire system sucks.

I wish I had some advice on removing or repair it on the Late C4's.

 

Notice that I too have been here a long time( longer than you) and have seen the same thing and answered questions that have been asked many times , but I did not insult the person. And as you know being a long timer sometimes the search function takes a long time to find the answer of a question. Just got lazy. And asked a question on a post someone else posted. Peace..........Have a good day.

 

Problem with search, is when it returns 30 threads with the same question, but Zero answers.

-- Joe

 

I want to thank everyone who responded to my post. As of right now I cleaned the lock cylinder and got a new key cut. If it happens again, the vats will be bypassed with a quickness. I know that a lot of times the same questions get asked over and over. The search function is definately a wealth of information, but for diagnosing a problem a new post is a great tool to have. Again thanks everyone, this forum is indispensable if you do work on your vette.

 

I think I have only told one poster to use the search function and that was because it was late and I wanted to go to bed. I have posted over 300 times how to test the VATS system and I don't mind posting it again and again. My comment about the flashlight has never been to insult, I say that to get the OP to think about what they are doing to their car. GIJoe says in his post that you can bypass VATS and then tells you that you can install an aftermarket security system. That makes no sense to me because you already have a security system in your car! Replacing the ignition lock is way cheaper than paying for and installing an aftermarket security system!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep your car in good repair! When it comes time to sell it, when you explain to potential buyers that your have an aftermarket alarm, aftermarket radio, aftermarket VATS (equivalent), they (and I would) begin to think, "How in the heck am I going to get this stuff fixed if it fails? GM won't fix it, it isn't theirs".
I bought my 87 from someone that took delivery of a 90 Vette and one day the came out of work to find the drivers window busted out and the steering column bashed open, but VATS did its job and the 90 Vette hadn't moved an inch. If you defeat VATS, you won't feel very good when you go to use your C4 and it isn't there and your insurance company will not pay you a price that you will be able to replace it with. Again, it makes not a bit of sense to me to bypass VATS!

 

Your tech information about the keys,etc was helpfull. But trust me the Flashlight comment was insulting and going on about your friend's stolen C4 was not part of a fix. GIJOE is correct about how VATS will not stop a thief that knows what they are doing. You did not know what I was thinking when I asked about a fix as I had just spent over 7K parts and labor on my LT4. I keep my 96 in perfect condition, I just needed a few months to recover from the expense of a new engine. Before I could afford more money on parts and labor. No way I would jury rig my Vette. Again the tech information was a help as was the web site of GIJOES. I now have the two GM books for my 96 so I can look up any problem in the future.

 

Joe, seem strange thats your response is such, 90% of my questions are answered by the search, and the additional information that comes with the search is welcome.

 

As i stated 'this is my opion" - and i can see that your contribution to the forum is such a high quantity and quality input... No one was insulted in the origional response, the information is there and available.

 

Opinion not opion High Quality Education. And I was stating my Opinion. And meant to disrespect to JFB. Try hitting the spell check option so your High Quality posts match your Input.

Your silver Vette is Good looking. Peace VinMan, Nam is over. Let it Go. I too have raised 3 Daughters and our son just got back from Iraq, 2nd Recon Marines. Have a Good day.