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1989 Camaro V.A.T.S. Problem Please help

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Old 04-27-2015, 11:40 AM
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Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
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1989 Camaro V.A.T.S. Problem Please help

I have a 89 Camaro 5.7L V8 tune ported, It will start up and idle but when I try and drive it will die and never start back up for 4-5 hours then it will do it all over again. I have put the resistors in the 2 wires under the dash, cleaned both the key and the ignition with rubbing alcohol right after I cleaned the key/ignition the car would not crank until I added the resistors. Everyday its rinse and repeat, the previous owner wrote down some codes he thought was the right ones for the keypad but none seem to work. I would love to drive this car its so beautiful, my ultimate goal is to remove the V.A.T.S. system altogether. I have some basic electronics experience I mess with arduino's and microcontrollers alike. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Old 04-27-2015, 12:12 PM
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Re: 1989 Camaro V.A.T.S. Problem Please help

What keypad are you referring to? With the resistors in place, you have bypassed the VATS system. The car cranks and runs for a while says the VATS system is not the problem. When you drive the car and it dies, do you have fuel pressure? Immediately after the car dies, open your gas cap, do you get a loud sucking sound? Could be starving for gas for a variety of reasons or could be something getting hot and malfunctioning electrically. You need to verify you have good fuel pressure when it dies so you can rule that out as a problem and move on to electrical problems.
Old 04-27-2015, 12:26 PM
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Re: 1989 Camaro V.A.T.S. Problem Please help

A running and dying issue would not be caused bye vats. If you did want it programmed out send me a pm. Otherwise check the ohm of the injectors and fuel pressure. If they are Multec save yourself a headache and contact southbay08
Old 04-27-2015, 01:53 PM
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Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
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Re: 1989 Camaro V.A.T.S. Problem Please help



Keypad for code alarm





1989 Camaro Iroc Z
5.7L V8 Tune Ported



The fuel pressure is good I checked the pressure to rule that out. When it dies and I try to start it back up it will crank and its getting plenty of gas but it acts like it is not getting any fire. Someone told me there are 2 parts to the vats one for the fuel injectors and one for the starter cutoff and firing. This is very frustrating. Also the keypad I am referring to is on the center console I will upload pics to show you.
Old 04-27-2015, 02:50 PM
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Re: 1989 Camaro V.A.T.S. Problem Please help

I have a working VATS system in my '89 IROC, it does not utilize a keypad. You must have an aftermarket security system in your car. That keypad is not a part of your VATS system.

Last edited by GASPEDDLER; 04-27-2015 at 04:46 PM.
Old 04-28-2015, 06:03 PM
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Re: 1989 Camaro V.A.T.S. Problem Please help

It's hard to say if the old code alarm scotch lock hack of a typical instal of that period is causing the issue. Have you used a spark tester and or noid light to see what's missing fuel or spark ?
Old 04-30-2015, 02:45 PM
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Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
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Re: 1989 Camaro V.A.T.S. Problem Please help

I no longer think it has anything to do with the vats or alarm. I am getting fire I used an inline spark tester and it gets fire. I tried to use starting fluid to get it to run after the initial start but it will not start back up. I am not 100% sure its getting gas although I do hear the fuel pump kicking on when ever I turn the key. Everyday it will start up and idle but when I shut the car off it will not start back up for about 4-5 hours. Its is so frustrating because I know it has to be something so small I am probably overlooking it.
Old 04-30-2015, 04:38 PM
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Re: 1989 Camaro V.A.T.S. Problem Please help

Spark control module in distributor it sounds like.
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