VATS active and car wont start
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
From: CA
VATS active and car wont start
ok i get in the car to start it i put the key in the ignition turn it and nothing but a blinking security light. I wait 20 min get in to restart and once again nothing but a blinking security light. no injector pulse, car doesnt even attempt to start... what are my options? do i need to tow it?
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
In your car VATS can be bypassed by installing resistors
http://www.joestradingpost.com/vats/
This of course assumes the VATS module and other components are functioning correctly ( which you haven't proven yet )
because all the resistors do is "fool" the module into "thinking" the correct key is being used
This overcomes the most common problem of the key not being read; hence why I asked if you had a 2nd key to try.
If the fault is not with the key but with the module itself , you need the tune changed or install one of these
http://www.bakerelectronix.com/products_vats/
to supply correct fuel enable signal to the computer.
In all the above cases ;
you need to manually bypass the starter enable relay also part of VATS
http://www.joestradingpost.com/vats/
This of course assumes the VATS module and other components are functioning correctly ( which you haven't proven yet )
because all the resistors do is "fool" the module into "thinking" the correct key is being used
This overcomes the most common problem of the key not being read; hence why I asked if you had a 2nd key to try.
If the fault is not with the key but with the module itself , you need the tune changed or install one of these
http://www.bakerelectronix.com/products_vats/
to supply correct fuel enable signal to the computer.
In all the above cases ;
you need to manually bypass the starter enable relay also part of VATS
Last edited by rodj; Apr 5, 2012 at 10:01 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
It's very common for the wires for the key pellet contacts to get broken inside the steering column. The way to test for this is to take off the kick panel under the steering column and find the VATS cable and connector. It's a two-pin connector with VERY small wires (they're orange, as I recall). Open that connector and use a DVM to measure the resistance of the cable that goes up into the steering column (with the key in the ignition). You should be able to measure the resistance of the pellet in the key.
In my case one of the contacts in the ignition switch was bent and making intermittent contact with the key pellet. A new ignition switch fixed that.
In my case one of the contacts in the ignition switch was bent and making intermittent contact with the key pellet. A new ignition switch fixed that.
