My 88 VAT works then dosn't, Wait 4 min. then it works. The keys are clean and different (spare) keys don't work. Tryed unlocking doors with key, electric lock, manually. nothing works. Only 35,000 original miles because of this. It takes the fun out of using the car. I don't mind disconecting it or anything else. HELP !!
Thanks,

Frank

 

I installed a VATS bypass unit from Corvette Central a few years after I got my 89 to preclude starting problems and paying big bucks for new PASS key in case I lost the originals or should they become unusable; i.e., bad/damaged/worn/ resistor chip.

The bad: Obvious; no anti-theft protection.

Before I got one, I had to contact the dealer and give them my VIN so they could give me a code that I had to supply to Corvette Central so I could get the correct bypass unit.

It is an easy install; around 10 minutes after you drop the driver side hush panel. Back then, the cost was $24.95, part # 594362.

http://www.corvettecentral.com

 

I had a similar problem with my 86 (a looong time ago). I had the lock cylinder replaced (by the dealer, of course) and I think I ended up with a new ignition key, too. I remember it was kind of expensive (but don't remember exactly how much). It did solve the problem, though. Just my experience... I can relate to the hassle and the unreliability.

 

The contacts in the ign tumbler wear and don't make reliable connection to the key pellet. You can temporarily bypass VATS with the same value resistor from Radio Shack (1/4 w 5%) as your pellet resistance. Find the wires from the ign tumbler and disconnect them and jump the resistor across the 2 wires going to the passenger side (VATS module). On my 87 a bunch of wires comes out of the steering column (remove the hush panel) about half way down and go to a single line of connectors. The ign tumbler contacts are the end two wires that are orange and brown. I don't know if the colors are different in an 88. You can check the ign tumbler contacts by unplugging the two wires and measuring the resistance across the wires from the column with the ign key in place. The resistance should be the same as your pellet. If over 13k ohms, you need a new tumbler.
The woman I bought my 87 vette from bought a 90 and one day she came out of work and found her drivers window broken out and the column bashed but her vette hadn't moved an inch. I recommend that you only bypass VATS long enough to get the ign tumbler replaced. The new tumbler has upgraded contacts. I replaced mine 4-5 years ago and I drive mine everyday. 99% of thefts occur by bashing the column and jumping the ignition, so I recommend you repair your VATS and keep your vette!

 

Had mine replace last year. Expensive (about $300), but how much is peace-of-mind?.