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Does the ign. key switch light up

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Old Feb 14, 2012 | 10:45 PM
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Default Does the ign. key switch light up

My key switch round plastic plate crumbled apart. I purchased a new one from dealer. It snapped in place fine. It has a coil of wire or maybe fiber optic around the plate that is clipped to the plate. Is the plate supposed to light up? Acc, off , on start. Thanks
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Old Feb 14, 2012 | 11:55 PM
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Nope....no lights
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 12:22 AM
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If it does... take cover immediately!
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 12:26 AM
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That'd be a pretty cool mod though.
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 12:30 AM
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Unfortunately, no. Would have been a nice touch.
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 01:44 AM
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As the guys say, no light. For info the wire is part of the VATS (vehicle anti theft system.)
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 10:21 AM
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Default does the ign. key light up

Thats what I needed to know. Thanks for the info. I had thought that may have been a fiber optic wire coiled up front. I now understand it is for the vats which I had thought was resistance pellets in the key. I know the newer cars no longer uses vats type key with pellets but a chip in the key that is read by a coil or antenna.
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 06:31 PM
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Its a Chevrolet, not a Toyota.
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 02:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Rayshound
Thats what I needed to know. Thanks for the info. I had thought that may have been a fiber optic wire coiled up front. I now understand it is for the vats which I had thought was resistance pellets in the key. I know the newer cars no longer uses vats type key with pellets but a chip in the key that is read by a coil or antenna.
The signal from the pellet is sent to the computer via that black wire. Typical 80s/90s technology.
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 09:11 AM
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It would be cool if it did light up though.
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by DeeGee
The signal from the pellet is sent to the computer via that black wire. Typical 80s/90s technology.
Just to clear this up.....there is no signal sent from the VATS pellet. It is just a chunk of carbon with a known but specific resistance value. When inserted into the ignition, the resistance of the pellet is read by becoming part of a circuit in the VATS Decoder module, (think of the module as a multi-meter) and if of the proper value the module applies a ground to the Start Enable Relay coil which allows cranking voltage to the starter, and a Fuel Enable signal to the ECM. This signal allows the ECM to operate the fuel injectors during cranking.

As to the light? I'd be for it, wouldn't be too hard to make work.
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeff in Den
Just to clear this up.....there is no signal sent from the VATS pellet. It is just a chunk of carbon with a known but specific resistance value. When inserted into the ignition, the resistance of the pellet is read by becoming part of a circuit in the VATS Decoder module, (think of the module as a multi-meter) and if of the proper value the module applies a ground to the Start Enable Relay coil which allows cranking voltage to the starter, and a Fuel Enable signal to the ECM. This signal allows the ECM to operate the fuel injectors during cranking.
Not sure I agree. I was keeping it simple but the pellet provides the BCM with the key code. I guess I could be wrong but the good book says:

"The Body Control Module (BCM) contains the theft deterrent system logic. The BCM reads the key code from the ignition cylinder when the ignition is turned to the START position. If the code is correct, the BCM will enable the theft deterrent relay and will send a fuel enable signal to the PCM via the class 2 serial data circuit.

If the BCM receives the wrong code, the BCM will immediately go into tamper mode. The tamper mode will lock-out the vehicle starter and fuel injectors for 3 minutes. The SECURITY indicator will flash while the BCM is in tamper mode."

Last edited by DeeGee; Feb 16, 2012 at 01:59 PM.
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 02:11 PM
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Jeff in Den is correct, DeeGee. The "Key Code" it's talking about is really just a resistance value. When you need to order a replacement key, you need to figure out what resistance is currently in your VATS pellet by putting a multimeter across the pellet and reading resistance, and then order a key with the same resistance (within the spec).

This is why you can remove the VATS system entirely by wiring in a resistor of appropriate value.
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by DeeGee
Not sure I agree. I was keeping it simple but the pellet provides the BCM with the key code.
We are on the same page. The "code" is simply one of fifteen different resistance values. Operation of the module is as you say.
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 02:37 PM
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I think we are all agreeing violently

Maybe its a translation thing?

VATS key codes:

The BCM measures the resistance value of the resistance of the pellet and allows the fuel system to operate. If it is within +/-10% the car will start.

To check your key value:

Set your digital volt meter to “ohms mode” and measure the value across the pellet.

The 15 resistor codes are:

Resistance Value (Ohms)

1 0.402 (acceptable range .386-.438)

2 0.523 (acceptable range .502-.564)

3 0.681 (acceptable range .650-.728)

4 0.887 (acceptable range .850-.942)

5 1.130 (acceptable range 1.085-1.195)

6 1.470 (acceptable range 1.411-1.549)

7 1.870 (acceptable range 1.795-1.965)

8 2.370 (acceptable range 2.275-2.485)

9 3.010 (acceptable range 2.890-3.150)

10 3.740 (acceptable range 3.590-3.910)

11 4.750 (acceptable range 4.560-4.960)

12 6.040 (acceptable range 5.798-6.302)

13 7.500 (acceptable range 7.200-7.820)

14 9.530 (acceptable range 9.149-9.931)

15 11.801 (acceptable range 11.320-12.290)
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 02:48 PM
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Back on the original topic.. I think you could adapt something like this and wire to the courtesy lights.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-WHTE-60mm...t_20048wt_1397
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 02:48 PM
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But I should also have said; disconnect the black wire and the BCM can't read the pellet value
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Todd157k
Back on the original topic.. I think you could adapt something like this and wire to the courtesy lights.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-WHTE-60mm...t_20048wt_1397
True but the approach lights are supposed to light up so you can see where to put the key.
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by DeeGee
True but the approach lights are supposed to light up so you can see where to put the key.
There you go again.. trying to put logic and functionality into the "bling factor". I just don't think it works here.
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