vats sometimes fails
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles CA
vats sometimes fails
last few months put the key in, nothing... car won't start, wait 5 minutes and it starts. Thinking of buying vats bypass from mid america. any other ideas besides installing new ignition switch and new keys?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: vats sometimes fails (ringleader90)
So what is wrong with keeping your C4 in good repair? If a headlight burns out do you epoxy a flashlight to the hood? I drive my 87 vette every day and I'm on ign sw #3 for the VATS contacts problem. 99% of cars are stolen by bashing the column and jumping the ignition. VATS prevents these thefts. You can prove its VATS when it won't start by unplugging the 2 pin connector on the wires from the steering column (on my 87 they are under the carpet by the steering column) and measuring the resistance with the key in. The resistance should be the same as the pellet. If not, its the ign sw contacts. You can temporarily defeat VATS until you can get the ign sw replaced by clipping a fixed resistor the same value as the pellet onto the wires that go over to the passenger side (VATS module).
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
Re: vats sometimes fails (ringleader90)
Try cleaning both sides of the pellet in the ignition key with alcohol. Take a Q tip and do the same in the lock itself. A little grime can change the resistance numbers and trigger VATS.
