1988 Wouldn't start ! Was security key
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
1988 Wouldn't start ! Was security key
I owned the car less than one month and it would not turn over or even make a sound when I turned the key. I had it towed to my mechanic and he got underneath the car and touched the starter and it light right up only to die. Turns out it was the security key. He went to Radio Shack and spent $20. Bypassed the security system and no problems ever since. Took a total of 1 hour to fix and less than $25 in the kunk from Radio Shack. Plus one hour of his time total cost $50.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
May have been the contacts that read the key in the Ign switch just needed cleaning; common problem.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
That was the first thing we did after some on line research. Kits were offered that cost $50-60. Lucky for me my mechanic is not a dummy and he figured what the kit was offering was just as easy for him to make himself. The downside is any bozo can now start my car. I need to install a kill switch as he recommended. That way totally disable the car from a dirt bag thief.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,772
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Lucky for me my mechanic is not a dummy and he figured what the kit was offering was just as easy for him to make himself. The downside is any bozo can now start my car. I need to install a kill switch as he recommended. That way totally disable the car from a dirt bag thief.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
The reason why I posted this is simple, cost effective ! If you think it would have been better to spend hundreds of dollars on the problem I will be more than happy to sell you the car. Car would not start period. Bypassed the security key and car fired up as it does today. In my book that means problem solved. To throw money away on a car that isnt worth more than $4500 would be foolish. Just so you know my C4 has 200,000 miles on it. I am amazed that it runs as well as it does. Simple AC Delco tune-ups, regular oil change, change all filters, and no burn outs. Will it make 250,000 miles ?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Unfortunately you haven't exactly reinvented the wheel
VATS bypass for early C4's is well documented by members on here and on other online sites
http://www.joestradingpost.com/vats/
VATS bypass for early C4's is well documented by members on here and on other online sites
http://www.joestradingpost.com/vats/
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
Unfortunately you haven't exactly reinvented the wheel
VATS bypass for early C4's is well documented by members on here and on other online sites
http://www.joestradingpost.com/vats/
VATS bypass for early C4's is well documented by members on here and on other online sites
http://www.joestradingpost.com/vats/
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
For the most part they are just adding the "Corvette tax " to parts you can often buy cheaper elsewhere.
A part will come sealed in a GM bag with a CC label stuck on it
Compare Rockauto to CC prices and you will see what I mean
Exp
AC Delco Fuel filter $26 @ CC vs $9 @ Rockauto
Last edited by vetteoz; Jan 20, 2012 at 08:29 AM.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
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I owned the car less than one month and it would not turn over or even make a sound when I turned the key. I had it towed to my mechanic and he got underneath the car and touched the starter and it light right up only to die. Turns out it was the security key. He went to Radio Shack and spent $20. Bypassed the security system and no problems ever since. Took a total of 1 hour to fix and less than $25 in the kunk from Radio Shack. Plus one hour of his time total cost $50.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 525
Likes: 9
From: Annapolis MD
When I bought my 92, the previous owner gave me 2 sets of keys.
One key would start the car, but the other one would trip the vats...
Both keys were cut identically, so we concluded the problem was in the chip imbedded in the key.
I took the 'good' key to a local dealer and they got me a key with the proper chip program, and cut it for me too.
Total cost was $26.24
I'm happy.
One key would start the car, but the other one would trip the vats...
Both keys were cut identically, so we concluded the problem was in the chip imbedded in the key.
I took the 'good' key to a local dealer and they got me a key with the proper chip program, and cut it for me too.
Total cost was $26.24
I'm happy.
