Lt4
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 0
From: Patchogue NY
Lt4
Well, I bought another vette, 1996 Lt4. The car was listed on the forum, and almost had it sold to another member but the Vats system killed the deal. He finally over rode the system and put a bipass resistor. My question: What do I have to do to reinstate the Vats system. I know there are pros and cons on this issue, but I'm old school and if it's supposed to be there I want it there.
Thanks,
Joe B.
Thanks,
Joe B.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Kissimmee FL
If you can still talk to him you need to find out what they disconnected, and if they still have the parts that they took out or by passed. Its a complicated system so to put it back I think you will have to know what they took out to avoid a guessing and doing a hunt till you find what they took out or disconnected game....G
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
I've thought many times of buying a by-pass and permanently over-riding the VATS as a precaution from getting stranded sometime down the road. I haven't done it yet, but I still may.
If it were me, and I just HAD to have the VATS working (mine works but I couldn't care less about it) I'd first remove the by-pass and return the system to factory wiring.
I'd then break out the Factory Service Manual and follow the step-by-step procedures to diagnose the problem. This is one of the cases whee the FSM pays for itself.
Unfortunately, while you're diagnosing the problem you won't be able to start the engine. So, you'd have to do the repair during a time period you wouldn't need the use of the car.
Jake
If it were me, and I just HAD to have the VATS working (mine works but I couldn't care less about it) I'd first remove the by-pass and return the system to factory wiring.
I'd then break out the Factory Service Manual and follow the step-by-step procedures to diagnose the problem. This is one of the cases whee the FSM pays for itself.
Unfortunately, while you're diagnosing the problem you won't be able to start the engine. So, you'd have to do the repair during a time period you wouldn't need the use of the car.
Jake
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
In the '90 and later cars, VATS is part of the CCM.
If VATS is not working on a '96, then 99 times out of 100 it's due to one of three things....
- Wiring (doubtful since the bypass works)
- Worn resistor pellet on the ignition key
- Worn ignition key lock cylinder contacts
If VATS is not working on a '96, then 99 times out of 100 it's due to one of three things....
- Wiring (doubtful since the bypass works)
- Worn resistor pellet on the ignition key
- Worn ignition key lock cylinder contacts
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 0
From: Patchogue NY
Thanks for the fast reply's. Appreciate the suggestions.
I did ask the previous owner about the by pass, and he indicated that it was a basic by-pass with the module underneath the driver side dash. That's the best he could do to describe it. I imagine I'll have to bite the bullet and look into a vette mechanic in my area and have the problem diagosed, and hopefully repaired. Thanks again, guy's.
Joe B.
I did ask the previous owner about the by pass, and he indicated that it was a basic by-pass with the module underneath the driver side dash. That's the best he could do to describe it. I imagine I'll have to bite the bullet and look into a vette mechanic in my area and have the problem diagosed, and hopefully repaired. Thanks again, guy's.
Joe B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 0
From: Olive Branch (Memphis suburb) MS
Cruise-In II Veteran
Drop the underdash cover and check down at the lower end of the steering column for a bypass unit. There should be a pair of small white wires coming from the ignition cylinder. You should be able to unplug the bypass unit and plug the conector back into the lower harness. If this down't enable the vats, the reason the previous owner used a bypass will need to be addressed. Wiring (doubtful since the bypass works)
- Worn resistor pellet on the ignition key
- Worn ignition key lock cylinder contacts Here's a pic of the bypass I made up for my 92....
- Worn resistor pellet on the ignition key
- Worn ignition key lock cylinder contacts Here's a pic of the bypass I made up for my 92....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
The VAT bypass is nothing more than a bypass resistor that is located under the driver side dash. Don't let a stealership rip you off by stating that this is some kind of major surgery. They need to remove the VAT bypass connector(which can be purchased through lots of vett vendors), measure the resistance in Ohms, then get a matched key with same resistor value pellet and cut the key. Will cost considerbly more if ignition cylindar needs replacement.
FYI....your car will have 1 of 15 possable resistor values. If the PO gave you an old key with the pellet, you can measure the resistance yourself, or get the shop to do it.
Any reason you feel you need the VATS re-connected ???
The bypass resistor "module" puts the resistor where I have circled in red. It creates a simple voltage divider :
FYI....your car will have 1 of 15 possable resistor values. If the PO gave you an old key with the pellet, you can measure the resistance yourself, or get the shop to do it.
Any reason you feel you need the VATS re-connected ???
The bypass resistor "module" puts the resistor where I have circled in red. It creates a simple voltage divider :
Last edited by MikeC4; Dec 9, 2008 at 09:59 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ
Well, I bought another vette, 1996 Lt4. The car was listed on the forum, and almost had it sold to another member but the Vats system killed the deal. He finally over rode the system and put a bipass resistor. My question: What do I have to do to reinstate the Vats system. I know there are pros and cons on this issue, but I'm old school and if it's supposed to be there I want it there.
Thanks,
Joe B.
Thanks,
Joe B.
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