92 No Start, Any Ideas ??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 18
From: Panhandle FL
92 No Start, Any Ideas ??
I got in the car tonight and turned the key......... nothing. 
All the normal dash lights lit up, but it never tried to turn over. No clicking or dimming of the guages or dome lights like it was pulling current. I thought it might be the pass key so I tried my spare set, still no turn over. When I got back from dinner, I tried it again and it cranked right up. 
Is this the begining of the end for the pass key system ? Anybody have any ideas ? 
All the normal dash lights lit up, but it never tried to turn over. No clicking or dimming of the guages or dome lights like it was pulling current. I thought it might be the pass key so I tried my spare set, still no turn over. When I got back from dinner, I tried it again and it cranked right up. Is this the begining of the end for the pass key system ? Anybody have any ideas ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 972
Likes: 0
From: Springdale AR
It sounds like it was your pass key. If you try it with in I think its like 5 mins no matter if it recognizes the key or not it restarts the timer.
You just need a new Key. The chip gets wore over time. Also you better go get the key coded before it gets so bad the code reader won't read it.
You just need a new Key. The chip gets wore over time. Also you better go get the key coded before it gets so bad the code reader won't read it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Most likely you have a VATS problem. First try your spare ignition key as its pellet isn't worn like your everyday key. VATS won't allow a crank if it doesn't measure the correct pellet resistance and makes you wait 6 minutes before you can try it again. Next, remove the hush panel above drivers feet and locate a flat ribbon of wires from the midpoint of the steering column. The end two wires (orange and brown in my 87) come from the contacts in the tumbler that make with the pellet. Unplug these two wires and with the key inserted, measure the resistance of the wires from the column. They should measure the same as the pellet. If over 13k ohms, you need a new tumbler. You can temporarily bypass VATS by unplugging the two VATS wires from the column and jumping a fixed resistor (1/4 watt 5% resistor from Radio Shack will work) across the wires going into the harness (these go to the VATS module). Do not permanently bypass VATS because 99% of thefts are done by bashing the column and jumping the ignition.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by jfb
Most likely you have a VATS problem. First try your spare ignition key as its pellet isn't worn like your everyday key. VATS won't allow a crank if it doesn't measure the correct pellet resistance and makes you wait 6 minutes before you can try it again. Next, remove the hush panel above drivers feet and locate a flat ribbon of wires from the midpoint of the steering column. The end two wires (orange and brown in my 87) come from the contacts in the tumbler that make with the pellet. Unplug these two wires and with the key inserted, measure the resistance of the wires from the column. They should measure the same as the pellet. If over 13k ohms, you need a new tumbler. You can temporarily bypass VATS by unplugging the two VATS wires from the column and jumping a fixed resistor (1/4 watt 5% resistor from Radio Shack will work) across the wires going into the harness (these go to the VATS module). Do not permanently bypass VATS because 99% of thefts are done by bashing the column and jumping the ignition.
Lemme try this again - It isn't VATS. If VATS does not like the key, it will still crank. VATS does not shut down the electrical system.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
NO! VATS closes the start enable relay when it detects the correct resistance pellet and it also sends a signal to the ECM to exercise the injectors. If you do not get a good connection to your pellet, you cannot crank the engine and if you bypass the start enable relay contacts, your injectors won't pulse and you CANNOT START YOUR ENGINE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
NO! VATS closes the start enable relay when it detects the correct resistance pellet and it also sends a signal to the ECM to exercise the injectors. If you do not get a good connection to your pellet, you cannot crank the engine and if you bypass the start enable relay contacts, your injectors won't pulse and you CANNOT START YOUR ENGINE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
Originally Posted by bogus
If VATS does not like the key, it will still crank.
Last edited by VR'92; Dec 14, 2004 at 09:57 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Canton GA
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St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'10-'11-'12
Bogus, I hate to disagree with you, but if the VATS doesn't like the key, it will definately NOT allow the starter to spin. If the security light is lit when the key is moved to the "start" position, VATS has kicked in.
You can try to lock and unlock the drivers side door then try to start the car again.
You can try to lock and unlock the drivers side door then try to start the car again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 972
Likes: 0
From: Springdale AR
Bogus, I hate to disagree with you, but if the VATS doesn't like the key, it will definately NOT allow the starter to spin. If the security light is lit when the key is moved to the "start" position, VATS has kicked in.
Click on this link: Pass Key description from 92 Owners Manual
I stand by my original posting. It's your pass key.
