Possible vats issue
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: CT
Possible vats issue
I have a 1990 c4 base L98 and I had to replace the instrument cluster today. Put the new cluster in and tested it, the car started up just fine with no issues. After putting everything back together and tried to strart the car, it wouldn’t start. All the dash lights came on along with the fuel pump, when I tried to start the car, all the lights went dim and no start, the engine doesn’t even crank. Can someone tell me if it is the vats and is there a way to reset it. Even after letting the car sit for hours, still nothing. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 60
Likes: 3
Typically VATS issue would not cause lights to go dim when the key is in the START position.
Turn the key from OFF to RUN, watch the security light on the cluster. if it comes on for a few seconds and goes out, it's not VATS. if the light stays on, you probably have an issue with the key reader.
Turn the key from OFF to RUN, watch the security light on the cluster. if it comes on for a few seconds and goes out, it's not VATS. if the light stays on, you probably have an issue with the key reader.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 125
Likes: 25
From: NY
Check your battery connections, make sure they're tight. Try jumping the car and see if it starts. I had a problem like that turned out to be two-fold. One the alternator crapped out on me. Second the battery wasn't really holding a charge anymore. Replaced them both, no more problems
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: CT
I turned the key on and the security light went out when I turned the key to the start position. The battery is good, in fact I put it on the charger for a day thinking that it was to low to start, still have the same issue. I can hear the fuel pump run. Are there any other things that I should look at, maybe the starter relay possibly, maybe a fuse. Not really sure where to go with this???
Thanks for your guys input, but I’m still dead in the water. I will see if jumping to car will do anything tomorrow and let everyone know the results.
Thanks for your guys input, but I’m still dead in the water. I will see if jumping to car will do anything tomorrow and let everyone know the results.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,331
Likes: 2,722
I turned the key on and the security light went out when I turned the key to the start position. The battery is good, in fact I put it on the charger for a day thinking that it was to low to start, still have the same issue. I can hear the fuel pump run. Are there any other things that I should look at, maybe the starter relay possibly, maybe a fuse. Not really sure where to go with this???
Thanks for your guys input, but I’m still dead in the water. I will see if jumping to car will do anything tomorrow and let everyone know the results.
Thanks for your guys input, but I’m still dead in the water. I will see if jumping to car will do anything tomorrow and let everyone know the results.
Do you have the FSM?
Check the wires at the starter BOTH. If when you turn key to start and you have power @ the PURPLE wire on the starter then you've an issue in the starter. '90 is a 'denso starter so you could do contacts and a plunger likely and be fixed. If you don't have power to the PURPLE you've issues 'other than'. Is the car a 6 speed or an A4 (auto).
If you just did a cluster and was working on/in/around the column you could maybe have dislodged the start enable relay, tweaked an ignition switch connector at the switch or possibly other incidental things.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jul 6, 2018 at 11:09 PM.
Stellabarbara
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 99
Likes: 11
From: Washington Michigan
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
1990 won’t start then starts
I guess I have a similar issue.
Today I drove my sweetie 100 miles with no issues.. went to the store and came out and my car would not start. This happened before.. I waited about 5 minutes and tried it again. It started right up..... Confused!!!!
ECM replaced, battery replaced, timing belt replaced, fairly new injectors, dash comes on, radio plays, all lights on cluster come on including security light, which goes out..
Any ideas before I take it to a mechanic.
Oh yeah, sweetie only has 20,200 original miles.
Today I drove my sweetie 100 miles with no issues.. went to the store and came out and my car would not start. This happened before.. I waited about 5 minutes and tried it again. It started right up..... Confused!!!!
ECM replaced, battery replaced, timing belt replaced, fairly new injectors, dash comes on, radio plays, all lights on cluster come on including security light, which goes out..
Any ideas before I take it to a mechanic.
Oh yeah, sweetie only has 20,200 original miles.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: CT
Ok guys, this is the outcome today. Tried to jump the car, no results. Checked the wire at the starter and no signal at the small wire when turning the key to the run position. While turning the key, it sounded like the starter relay was clicking. Jumped the starter and the car ran. Could the vats kill the signal to the starter?? Not sure what else to look at? The car is a automatic and I have tried to move the gear selector thinking it could be the neutral safety switch, no change. Ideas???
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: CT
Do you have the FSM?
Check the wires at the starter BOTH. If when you turn key to start and you have power @ the PURPLE wire on the starter then you've an issue in the starter. '90 is a 'denso starter so you could do contacts and a plunger likely and be fixed. If you don't have power to the PURPLE you've issues 'other than'. Is the car a 6 speed or an A4 (auto).
If you just did a cluster and was working on/in/around the column you could maybe have dislodged the start enable relay, tweaked an ignition switch connector at the switch or possibly other incidental things.
Check the wires at the starter BOTH. If when you turn key to start and you have power @ the PURPLE wire on the starter then you've an issue in the starter. '90 is a 'denso starter so you could do contacts and a plunger likely and be fixed. If you don't have power to the PURPLE you've issues 'other than'. Is the car a 6 speed or an A4 (auto).
If you just did a cluster and was working on/in/around the column you could maybe have dislodged the start enable relay, tweaked an ignition switch connector at the switch or possibly other incidental things.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,331
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The Starter Enable Relay is just left of the column - you didn't answer the question > do you have the FSM? Did you check the PURPLE wire at the starter when 'KEY TO START' and also the larger cable for B+ voltage? Dropping the column doesn't mean that you didn't tweak the ignition switch that's mounted to the column. Didn't mention A4 or M6 either!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: CT
The Starter Enable Relay is just left of the column - you didn't answer the question > do you have the FSM? Did you check the PURPLE wire at the starter when 'KEY TO START' and also the larger cable for B+ voltage? Dropping the column doesn't mean that you didn't tweak the ignition switch that's mounted to the column. Didn't mention A4 or M6 either!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: CT
Today I checked all the wires by the steering column and all was good. I decided to replace the starter interrup relay and the one next to it. Still doing the same thing. Could this still be the vats or something in the ignition switch itself?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: CT
The Starter Enable Relay is just left of the column - you didn't answer the question > do you have the FSM? Did you check the PURPLE wire at the starter when 'KEY TO START' and also the larger cable for B+ voltage? Dropping the column doesn't mean that you didn't tweak the ignition switch that's mounted to the column. Didn't mention A4 or M6 either!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,422
Likes: 601
From: Minneapolis Mn
Can't swear to it as I did it about 5 years ago, but I thought it was a black and an orange wires from the plug going into the dash from the connector. Don't remember what it was coming out of the steering column.