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Cadillac Repair/1989 Camaro VATS Issue
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Question
I have a 1989 Iroc z Camaro and it dosent want to start. I know its A VATS issue because I had one of two EPROMS Vats delete, when I use the vats delete it runs. So I went to vacation with the VATS EProm installed but didnt want to start before I left. When I returned it magically starting working but I had A diffrent module in it but with no key just a resistor in the wiring. So when I went to swap to the other module with an actual key that fits the ignition it didnt want to start again.Then I put the other module and resistor wire back in and it still wont start. So I guess my question is how too if possible reset the module or how long do you have to wait when trying diffrent modules? or if you have any suggestions. thnks
Hi,
First off, its far too long for me to remember playing with the eproms, vats delete etc.
I can tell you the bypass is matching the key to the module and in the event of bypass is matching the one of 15 different resistors to the module.
Not sure why the module was changed unless it was one of those old high performance things.
Anyway, if you have a working key that matches the module you now have in the car, measure the key with an ohmmeter. Once you have the resistance value, go to an alarm store and ask them for a vats bypass kit. They get them with every alarm set up for memote start. Included is a chart telling you the color of resistor you need to use for your value.
Locksmiths thought that it was 4 minutes between resistors because the machine they used had a 4 minute tiner. The real time between resistors is 2 minutes.
You better put a starter kill switch in that car because with vats bypassed it is only 30 seconds or less to steal that car with a screwdriver or a butter knife to the left side of the column. I have rebuilt thousands! And yes, old cars are stolen all the time.
If my answer helped you, please rate it.
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Rob Painter
Expertise
Alarm system questions cannot be answered on this forum. These systems are not what I can answer. Without being physically at the vehicle and not knowing what kind of electrical service has been done on the vehicle, there is no possible way to give an accurate answer over the internet. My expertise is in Ignition/key based anti-theft systems. These issues include GM VATS (resistor chip in key blade) PASSLOCK (MRD)-ignition lock rotation based, no special ignition key and the PKIII Transponder (computer chip in key) systems. These systems are not alarm based and are integral with the starting of the engine. This is why I cannot diagnose alarm problems without physically looking at the vehicle: Alarm systems are a completely different annimal than ignition key/lock based anti-theft system. Many alarm questions come from vehicles 10 years old, and since older, many hands that had been involved over the years.I am an expert in all GM factory (ignition/key based)systems. Alarm system questions pose to many situations beyond my knowledge as to what has been done to the vehicle over the years. Some guy may have actually wired the stereo into the alarm system. Who knows? Over my past 30 years in vehicle wiring repair, I have seen unbelievable wiring disaters done by guys that consider themselves "mechanics." I have seen stereos and alarms intalled using surgical tape. I have seen modules burn up, un-fused circuits, wiring jambed between the doors and even lamp cord used for a starter kill. To answer alarm questions over the internet without examining the vehicle is like asking; What does it take to remove a dent?
Experience
Education/Credentials-ASE certified. 11 years with a GM dealer and 17 years with a repair facility dealing with only the repair of theft recovered vehicles.
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