Does the C4 have a key security feature?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 29,689
Likes: 9
From: Central Florida
Jax Events Coordinator
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'08
Does the C4 have a key security feature?
I bought that C4 for my dad and he left the keys in it. When he tried to start it a few days later, it wouldn't start. He had left the keys in the ignition for several days. He called me up tonight to see if the car had any quirks and I told him to maybe jiggle the key a bit. He put it in and it started right up.
I told him that maybe there is a security feature that will not start the car if the keys have been left in it. Either that or maybe he has a bad ignition switch. I don;t know anything about C4's, any of you guys know the answer?
I told him that maybe there is a security feature that will not start the car if the keys have been left in it. Either that or maybe he has a bad ignition switch. I don;t know anything about C4's, any of you guys know the answer?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,188
Likes: 288
From: Shitcago IL
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08
Re: Does the C4 have a key security feature? (Joecooool)
sorry thisis off topic, but you gave it to your dad already???? how did he react??? did a miss a thread? thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 29,937
Likes: 22
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Cruise-In 1-2-3-4-5 Veteran
Re: Does the C4 have a key security feature? (DanielW)
It's an L98, right? It has the dreaded VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System) that renders the vehicle undriveable - by anyone. :D
Check the archives for VATS questions. Some of the catalog companies also stock VATS bypass kits.
Check the archives for VATS questions. Some of the catalog companies also stock VATS bypass kits.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 29,689
Likes: 9
From: Central Florida
Jax Events Coordinator
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'08
Re: Does the C4 have a key security feature? (DanielW)
Yes, I gave it to him a few weeks ago. He was very happy about it. I posted about it in off topic. :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Does the C4 have a key security feature? (Joecooool)
He should try leaving the key out of the ignition for a while and try again to start it.
Also, if an auto jiggle the shifter in the Park position.
He can take the key to a Chevy dealer who can read the code and make him a duplicate. My first "mod" was to get a spare set of keys for my Vette; I always carry a set in each pocket.
Also, if an auto jiggle the shifter in the Park position.
He can take the key to a Chevy dealer who can read the code and make him a duplicate. My first "mod" was to get a spare set of keys for my Vette; I always carry a set in each pocket.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Does the C4 have a key security feature? (65Z01)
Have him get another set of keys made just in case.
VATS can be a real bitch sometimes.
VATS can be a real bitch sometimes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,388
Likes: 1
From: X
Re: Does the C4 have a key security feature? (Joecooool)
Auto or manuel ? Auto has a Neutral start switch If it wasn't in N or P it won't start ....If its a manuel it has a Clutch safty switch, the clutch pedel must be depressed. Joe...you were always my favorate son... :yesnod:
[Modified by JonM, 1:07 AM 9/25/2002]
[Modified by JonM, 1:07 AM 9/25/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
Re: Does the C4 have a key security feature? (Joecooool)
Yeah, could be as Jon says. Nothing to do with VATS.
All the Corvette sellers (Mid-America, Eckler's, etc) sell VATS eliminators.
Only 1986 and up have the VATS feature.
BIG JIM
All the Corvette sellers (Mid-America, Eckler's, etc) sell VATS eliminators.
Only 1986 and up have the VATS feature.
BIG JIM
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: Does the C4 have a key security feature? (BIG JIM 54)
Every once in a great while I get the ghost no start condition on mine. I pull in to some store or short stop type situation, go inside and conduct business for a few minutes. I come out and go to start the car and nothing. So, I camped out on the curb for about 5 minutes and then tried again and it fired right up. This has occured only 3 times in 3 years. Might be like that for you as well. Not sure if it's VATS or what.......
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 824
Likes: 2
From: Camden SC
Re: Does the C4 have a key security feature? (Goody)
You may check the codes. Sometimes the VATS will set a code and you get headed in the right direction. My 90 had one no start condition, even with new key. 10 minutes later fired right up. Got home, put the scanner on it and got a VATS code. Cleared code, no problems since, go figure. Good advice on getting new key. If this happens again, better carry a voltmeter and its off to the trouble shooting charts.
Oh yea, tell him not to leave the keys in the ignition. With the keys in the ignition, battery parasitic draw is higher. Not sure though if non-Central Control Module (CCM) cars (90 and above) experience this. Didn't note what year C4 he had.
Darn cars.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks
Oh yea, tell him not to leave the keys in the ignition. With the keys in the ignition, battery parasitic draw is higher. Not sure though if non-Central Control Module (CCM) cars (90 and above) experience this. Didn't note what year C4 he had.
Darn cars.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Does the C4 have a key security feature? (BIG JIM 54)
Yeah, could be as Jon says. Nothing to do with VATS.
I agree...the last few days mine had two occurances of no start. I juggled the shifter while holding the key in start position and it started right up...so the shifter neutral safety switch is going bad on me...nothing wrong with VATS at all.
[Modified by BBA, 6:34 PM 9/25/2002]
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: Does the C4 have a key security feature? (BBA)
First step is to clean the pellet in the key and the contacts in the switch. If there's enough film built up the change the resistance then it will trigger the VATS.