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Won’t start after new bcm installed.

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Old Mar 20, 2025 | 08:24 PM
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Default Won’t start after new bcm installed.

I got a new body control module for my 1997 corvette because mine went bad. Everything seems to be working well compared to the other bcm aside from one thing. The car cranks and starts for 2-3 seconds before shutting itself off. Almost like it’s cutting the fuel so I’m wondering does it need to be reprogrammed to start?
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Old Mar 20, 2025 | 08:27 PM
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Sounds like the VATS Module isn't calibrated for the Key you have.
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Old Mar 20, 2025 | 08:27 PM
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Yes, it needs to be programmed…it is not plug and play.
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Old Mar 20, 2025 | 08:30 PM
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VATS Module is in the BCM. If I remember right you can calibrate that with a Tech II at the Dealership. HP Tuners or anything like that you can't calibrate that just turn it off in the PCM.
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Old Mar 20, 2025 | 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by the_merv
Sounds like the VATS Module isn't calibrated for the Key you have.
if I also have the key and ignition from the corvette that the bcm came from would it work?
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Old Mar 20, 2025 | 08:49 PM
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That may work, because it reads that Key and sends it to the VATS
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Old Mar 20, 2025 | 08:50 PM
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If it really was the VATS the car wouldn't even crank. You have to perform a relearn procedure so the BCM and PCM can perform a electronic handshake. The procedure is quite simple turn the key on for 10 minutes and then turn off for 10 seconds and repeat this two more times, make sure your battery is fully charged or on a battery charger as you don't want battery voltage to drop to low.
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Old Mar 20, 2025 | 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by mmartinez
If it really was the VATS the car wouldn't even crank. You have to perform a relearn procedure so the BCM and PCM can perform a electronic handshake. The procedure is quite simple turn the key on for 10 minutes and then turn off for 10 seconds and repeat this two more times, make sure your battery is fully charged or on a battery charger as you don't want battery voltage to drop to low.
Absolutely not true. I can show you a thousand LS Swaps out there guys have done they don't tune out the VATS in the PCM, they crank all day just not start. No BCM at all in the vehicle and the Engine cranks so the "handshake" rumor is debunked.

See the posts come up on LS1Tech enough to where they should know better by now.

This is one single wire in the circuit from the VATS Module to the PCM to give it the proper 50Hz Signal saying the Key is the right Key and start the car. Nothing to "handshake" about.

Last edited by the_merv; Mar 20, 2025 at 09:37 PM.
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Old Mar 20, 2025 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by mmartinez
If it really was the VATS the car wouldn't even crank. You have to perform a relearn procedure so the BCM and PCM can perform a electronic handshake. The procedure is quite simple turn the key on for 10 minutes and then turn off for 10 seconds and repeat this two more times, make sure your battery is fully charged or on a battery charger as you don't want battery voltage to drop to low.
This absolutely will work, you must do the relearn procedure.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c5-tech/3658152-bcm-relearn-reprogram-program.html

Last edited by Smoken1; Mar 20, 2025 at 09:59 PM.
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Old Mar 21, 2025 | 10:56 AM
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Sorry, the times I stated are incorrect, the "on" time should be 11 minutes, and the "off" time should be 30 seconds, hope this helps.
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Old Mar 21, 2025 | 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by the_merv
Absolutely not true. I can show you a thousand LS Swaps out there guys have done they don't tune out the VATS in the PCM, they crank all day just not start. No BCM at all in the vehicle and the Engine cranks so the "handshake" rumor is debunked.

See the posts come up on LS1Tech enough to where they should know better by now.

This is one single wire in the circuit from the VATS Module to the PCM to give it the proper 50Hz Signal saying the Key is the right Key and start the car. Nothing to "handshake" about.
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Old Mar 21, 2025 | 11:35 PM
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To the OP, did you get the problem resolved?
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Old Mar 28, 2025 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Marauder_LS1
I got a new body control module for my 1997 corvette because mine went bad. Everything seems to be working well compared to the other bcm aside from one thing. The car cranks and starts for 2-3 seconds before shutting itself off. Almost like it’s cutting the fuel so I’m wondering does it need to be reprogrammed to start?
OP-Did you resolve the issue?
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Old Mar 28, 2025 | 03:59 PM
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It kills me, especially being a new member to get no reply on an issue I may have, being a fairly new owner.
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Old Mar 28, 2025 | 04:19 PM
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Welcome to the Corvette Forum world, some people post something and you never hear anything back.
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