I installed a new steering column that I got from a wrecking yard on eBay to take care of my loose tilt problem so it will pass the safety inspection. All installed fine but when I went to start it, nada! Do I have to "marry" the new ignition and pellet on the key to the VATS module already in the car? There are NO error codes. Thanks for any help.

 

Yes and no. There were 15 possible combinations for the VATS resistance. Your car is programmed for one of these, and no it's not somewhere easy in the ECM. You probably used the key that came with the new steering column, which probably has a different resistance than yours.

You can fix this problem in a few ways.

1. Remove the ignition cylinder from your old column and put it in the new one so you can use your old key.

2. Find a way to change the VATS module to accept the resistance value of the new key.

3. Bypass the vats entirely by unplugging it from the steering column and putting in a resistor with the same resistance as your old key.

We changed the column in my friend's 95 Z-28 and could have run into the same problem. His SECURITY light stays on so I can only assume that his VATS was already broken, or the new key just happened to be the same as the old one.

:cheers:

 

actually I just thought of another solution. Take both your new and old keys to the dealership and explain the situation. Tell them you need the pattern of your new key cut onto a blank with the resistance of the old key.

 

(after posting this, I see you have additional responses.)
OK.

Here is the easy thing to do.

Take your OLD key with the correct pellet resistance along with your NEW(OK, used)key (doesn't have the same resistance as your old key) down to the local GM dealer. They will likely read the resistance (15 different values were used), go to the pile of blanks with the correct resistance, and cut the key based on the pattern from the new/used one onto the blank with the correct resistance. That was a difficult sentence. Wouldn't blame you for deleting the thing.

You have a different lock tumbler in the new column. That tumbler/key has a different resistance than that recorded in your VATS. Hence, you need to get the new key cut on a blank with the correct resistance.

There is another thing you may be able to do. I am not sure if your old key tumbler with the correct resistance can be swapped over to the new column. Not sure what year it came out of or if there were small differences between years, tilt/non tilt, etc. You would have to research that. It also means taking apart the column, some anyway.

Personally, I recommend just making a new key, maybe even two. I would also write down the resistance value in my owners manaul. Very helpful piece of information.

Let me know if you have any questions.

dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks




[Modified by dlmeyers, 7:12 PM 10/31/2002]

 

Thanks for the info, I never thought about having the dealer make me a new key with the correct resistance. I feel like just disabling the VATS but that kind of seems a half-butt way of doing it.

hahaha, half a s s turned to half-butt, that's funny


[Modified by GlobalGreg, 9:27 PM 10/31/2002]

 

Suggestion: if you are close to a locksmith, go there - cheaper than a dealer and the locksmith will have the same capability to read & cut your key. Locally (MA) dealer wanted $25 to cut a key - locksmith charged $16.00 for the same key!

 

Not always true! My dealer charged $12 for the VATS key. A local locksmith wanted $45 :(