Expert: Rob Painter - 9/8/2009

Question
My 99 Cadillac Deville wont start, wont turn over. My dashboard says starting disabled remove key. What is the problem?

Answer
Hello,

Well, if you know the starter is good and the battery is good, you are a victim of the great anti-theft (anti-owner) piece of garbage the VATS. It relates to that resistor chip that cops wrongly called a computer chip in the ignition key. Vats stands for Vehicle anti theft system also known as PASSKEY. It was used from 1986- 2005 on many GM models. Now, if a computer is obsolete in 3 months, how good is an electronic system to deter theft that was used for 19 years?

This system failed all the time stranding owners only to get ripped off from dealers for the $300-$700 repair, basically as much as they could fleece from you. Worse yet, once repaired the problem is going to happen again. There are 2 very small wires that run from the ignition lock (Like phone wiring) down through the steering column. The wires break internally and the car won't crank. The only repair is either to replace the ignition lock (Locksmiths with the same exact parts replace for half the price of a dealer. The system is easily bypassed, however bypassed you have no protection and the car can be stolen in 30 seconds and yes, old cars are stolen all the time because they "blend in."

The other problem with bypass if you have comprehensive insurance (fire and theft), you will be denied on your claim because the insurance companies and their so-called locksmith experts feel the car can't be stolen. In my opinion this goes back to the corruption of the insurance industry in which they deny every stolen car claim with a factory installed anti-theft system.


The bypass is easy to do. Measure the resistance value of the key pellet. Go to an alarm store and see if they have a bypass kit for remote start for the vats. Most alarms come with this bypass kit and is rarely used.

Cut the two very small wires (white) coming from the steering column. Install the correct resistor that matches your key on the car side. You have just lied to the system and the computer thinks the proper key is being used everytime.

If you do this, you need to install a hidden starter disable switch so the car doesn't grow legsa and get stolen.

In the event you want me to walk you through all these procedures over the phone, you can go to http://www.autotheftexpert.com and go to the bypass link.

I do charge for consultation to walk you through everything.

I have been inundated with these requests at 10 per day on my personal email and I can't possibly give everyone the personal assistance they need. This does kind of tell you just how reliable this piece of GM junk is.

Good Luck!

Rob