Another Confused VATS Question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 21
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Another Confused VATS Question
Hey, I just purchased a 1992 Corvette auto, and I'm having some odd starting problems. The car will not start consistently. That is, it will only start IF the security light is on/blinking, and consequently the interior lights also come on. And Yes, I have done the VATS bypass correctly. I'm assuming the VATS is still involved, but this is a bit different in that if the security light isn't on/blinking then it will not start. Any insight on how I can keep the VATS, or security light on/blinking, so I can engage it... I would greatly appreciate it!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
Start, meaning no cranking at all. It seems that it still thinks it's "armed". From what I read, no security light means that the anti-theft is active. My thoughts are that it needs to know when it's deactivated (flashing security light), so I can start it up.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,464
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From: Hartford WI
Idiot light on the starter exciter wire. So if you are not getting signal, go backwards. If you get signal, it is the starter
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
I'm not following... it will start - crank and run - when I get the security light flashing. My problem is that I don't always get the security light to flashing / blinking. So, I don't think it's the starter. Are you saying that the security light is associated with the wire on the starter?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,464
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
I'm not following... it will start - crank and run - when I get the security light flashing. My problem is that I don't always get the security light to flashing / blinking. So, I don't think it's the starter. Are you saying that the security light is associated with the wire on the starter?
I have a bad feeling that the VATS mods is being intermittent
Last edited by aklim; Jun 26, 2021 at 12:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,464
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
Could it be the Transmission safety switch? Sometimes, on an auto, they have gotten loose and out of alignment. Have you tried to wiggle the trans lever when it doesn't? Assuming you have an auto.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
The SECURITY light blinks with a door open, key in OFF. Indicates that the Universal Theft Deterrent is not armed.
Lock doors with power door locks.The SECURITY light goes solid-ON with door still open, Indicates that UTD is now ready.
Close door. SECURITY light goes OFF after 1-2 seconds. Indicates that UTD is ARMED.
Lock doors with power door locks.The SECURITY light goes solid-ON with door still open, Indicates that UTD is now ready.
Close door. SECURITY light goes OFF after 1-2 seconds. Indicates that UTD is ARMED.
When I lock the doors using the power lock, the security light does not turn solid. There is no security light at all; that it's not blinking or in any other state.
When I close the door, the security light doesn't turn off because it wasn't on to being with.
The only time SECURITY indicates VATS status is with key in RUN. When key is turned to RUN, security light must be OFF. If SECURITY light is solid-ON, the CCM is inhibiting cranking, and not sending the Fuel Enable signal to the CCM.
The flashing SECURITY has nothing to do with VATS. But if SECURITY is solid-ON when the key is in RUN, that is indicating a VATS inhibit.
The flashing SECURITY has nothing to do with VATS. But if SECURITY is solid-ON when the key is in RUN, that is indicating a VATS inhibit.
There are several other diagnostics available in both the CCM and the ECM that will help narrow down what the issue is. But your "when SECURITY isn't flashing, it won't crank" indicates to me that the CCM isn't powering up correctly. There are 3 fuses for the CCM. CCM, LCD, and A/C are the fuses. Another pretty accurate indication is that if VATS is not sending Fuel Enable, there will be a Code 46 in the ECM. When it won't crank, jump A&B and turn on the key. Read the codes on the Service Engine soon light.
If you can point me to any diagnostic tools, tests, etc., I would appreciate it.
Lastly, i can get it to start intermittently. I was focused on the security light because it was the only thing that changes when it starts up. So, I don't suspected that the VATS is problematic.
Thanks for the great info 👍
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
Check the door pin switches on the rear of the doors. If they are stuck in (door closed (position), the SECURITY light won't flash, and the courtesy lights won't come on either.
The SECURITY light VATS indication with key in RUN is valid with the doors open or closed, so the pin switches won't affect this indication.
The SECURITY light VATS indication with key in RUN is valid with the doors open or closed, so the pin switches won't affect this indication.
This is a very good link to CCM diagnostics. You can test the inputs and outputs. See the key resistance, and a whole bunch of other things. The CCM onboard diagnostics are a powerful, quick, fairly easy to use tool. Study-up. Well worth learning the basics, you'll use them repeatedly.
^^Please elaborate on this^^. What did you do, what were you trying to fix, what fuse(s) were burned?
^^Please elaborate on this^^. What did you do, what were you trying to fix, what fuse(s) were burned?
Also I was sitting in it today after it started and turned car off with ignition keys out and stared at the security light. After a few minutes, the security light stopped, and then couldn't start the car. Is there a delay system that I also need to investigate?
Last edited by SwamiCJ7; Jun 28, 2021 at 01:28 AM.