occasionally wont start...is it vats?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Hialeah Florida
occasionally wont start...is it vats?
Once in a blue moon ill go to start the car and it does nothing. The security light stays on so I believe its a vats problem. Its happened to me enough to figure it all out though. After the first try not starting I let it sit for 5 mins without trying again and it will start. I have to say that's getting old fast and its starting to **** me off! What exactly do I need to bypass the vats? Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 2
From: Fort Knox
Go to vatssucks.com, there is a tutorial on how to buypass it. On my 86 it was easy as soldering 3 resistors in series to get the right value and putting it in place of the vats circuit. Yours is a newer C4 and I believe there is some wiring to your ECM involved.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Depends on year of 'vette and specific problem from my understanding- if just the key switch resistance contact portion is not working just some resistors to bypass the key switch portion.
Do a search for VATS key pellet values....yours should be one of those listed.
Measure the resistance (using an ohm meter) across your ingnition key's pellet then install resistor/s with the same resistance value across the VATS wires that run to the key switch.
Might just be that your key's pellet has worn down (from years of sliding in and out of the ignition) and your pellets resistance value is "off" just a hair causing the problem. If you have a spare ignition key compare the reistances between the 2 keys pellets and see if one is higher or try using your extra key for a few days and see if the problem still remains.
Note: Do not "lube" the ignition switch as this will create a resistance problem for the key's pellet....then you'd really be out of luck.
Do a search for VATS key pellet values....yours should be one of those listed.
Measure the resistance (using an ohm meter) across your ingnition key's pellet then install resistor/s with the same resistance value across the VATS wires that run to the key switch.
Might just be that your key's pellet has worn down (from years of sliding in and out of the ignition) and your pellets resistance value is "off" just a hair causing the problem. If you have a spare ignition key compare the reistances between the 2 keys pellets and see if one is higher or try using your extra key for a few days and see if the problem still remains.
Note: Do not "lube" the ignition switch as this will create a resistance problem for the key's pellet....then you'd really be out of luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Engle1147
I would only add that I have used a wooden Q-tip with alcohol to go into the ignition switch and clean the contacts that would connect to the pellet. Kind of measure, don’t go in to far with the Q-tip, just enough. Don’t be too aggressive, don’t want ”Q” fibers in the switch. I would only use one Q-tip once to keep its integrity, use 2 or 3.
I would only add that I have used a wooden Q-tip with alcohol to go into the ignition switch and clean the contacts that would connect to the pellet. Kind of measure, don’t go in to far with the Q-tip, just enough. Don’t be too aggressive, don’t want ”Q” fibers in the switch. I would only use one Q-tip once to keep its integrity, use 2 or 3.
