Vats key/starting problem
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Vats key/starting problem
I had a 85 coupe that I recently sold. I found a 1994 coupe for $7,000. So I called the car dealer and he says the car doesn't come with a key because it was lost. He also said he tried to get another key from the dealer but it wasn't possible. He said they told him you have to change over the whole ignition. Even if you change the whole ignition, who could guarantee that this was your problem. Is this too big a can of worms to open. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also how hard is it to change the ignition, and if I didn't how much to have it done by a competant mechanic.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: JUPITER FLORIDA
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2038997
You could try this. Its pretty cheap. You bypass the vats all together.
You could try this. Its pretty cheap. You bypass the vats all together.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 2
From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2038997
You could try this. Its pretty cheap. You bypass the vats all together.
You could try this. Its pretty cheap. You bypass the vats all together.
But I would be nervous about buying a Vette from someone who knows nothing about it. If you invest the time and money for a by-pass will it start? Guaranteed? RUN, FOREST, RUN!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
With no key at all it will cost that much more to even get a key. Since the dealer can't get one I dunno if a locksmith could make one either. If it comes to changing the tumbler and finding the VATS value I would look elsewhere.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2038997
You could try this. Its pretty cheap. You bypass the vats all together.
You could try this. Its pretty cheap. You bypass the vats all together.
You need the VATS resistance to be able to bypass it.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Utah County Utah
Yeah, from what I understand, in a nut shell you just need to solder a resistor of the right resistance between two specific wires. Once you have done that any key will work as long as it functions correctly mechanically. I think there are only like 10 possible values as far as the resistor goes.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Muskogee OK
There are 15 possible codes but without a key to power up and check the CCM, you'll have to have a dealer or possibly a locksmith use an interogator with a "service" key to find out.
At that price, it may be worth it if the mechanicals and other items look OK.
At that price, it may be worth it if the mechanicals and other items look OK.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
Find someone with a valid AAA card they will send someone out and make you a key in about 2 hrs. It's incuded in AAA.
Any locksmith who does cars can do it. The have a special key that switches the different resistances in until they get it to start. It takes time since if you hit the ECM with the wrong resistor it won't do anything for 5 minutes even if it gets the correct key.
Ask me how I know....
The resistor fell out of my key when I was on the road years ago and the guy came out and fixed me a key in about 30 minutes, I knew the resistor code.
JS
Any locksmith who does cars can do it. The have a special key that switches the different resistances in until they get it to start. It takes time since if you hit the ECM with the wrong resistor it won't do anything for 5 minutes even if it gets the correct key.
Ask me how I know....
The resistor fell out of my key when I was on the road years ago and the guy came out and fixed me a key in about 30 minutes, I knew the resistor code.
JS
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: JUPITER FLORIDA
Find someone with a valid AAA card they will send someone out and make you a key in about 2 hrs. It's incuded in AAA.
Any locksmith who does cars can do it. The have a special key that switches the different resistances in until they get it to start. It takes time since if you hit the ECM with the wrong resistor it won't do anything for 5 minutes even if it gets the correct key.
Ask me how I know....
The resistor fell out of my key when I was on the road years ago and the guy came out and fixed me a key in about 30 minutes, I knew the resistor code.
JS
Any locksmith who does cars can do it. The have a special key that switches the different resistances in until they get it to start. It takes time since if you hit the ECM with the wrong resistor it won't do anything for 5 minutes even if it gets the correct key.
Ask me how I know....
The resistor fell out of my key when I was on the road years ago and the guy came out and fixed me a key in about 30 minutes, I knew the resistor code.
JS
