1989 rs having removed all of the ecm and wire from the car, using a tci trans kit to lock up the tcc, ac compressor kicks the blower motor works, all lights horn radio works but the VATS is not letting the starter to activate I think. All that I can figure is the 5 volt refrence to the vats from the ecm is gone not powering up the vats. I havent tore into the vats yet but putting a jumper on the starter enabler relay a to e didnot allow the starter to turn. if i was to put a 5 volt source to the vats should it power the vats up? I do not care one way or another if the vats system stays just the easyest way to start the thing. I would prefer it to be gone this time next year I want a 5.3 from a truck in it so the best would be to remove it if possible.

Shouldn't be a VATS issue because of the ECM - I have no ECM and my VATS functions correctly, and I've cut out all the wires from the ECM to under the hood as well.

Have you tried putting the resistor in place on the VATS wires under the steering column as done in the tech article?

Are you sure all grounds are properly connected?

I need to put a ground to the starter enab relay it was grounded by the ecm and I no longer have any computer or wiring related to the ecm the VATS is the only "computer " in the car. Is the ls1 disk rear in your ride what year of car is it out of.

I'm gonna be lost on this one for ya - Ive seen everything in my car EXCEPT the starter relay. But when I removed my ECM, I had no issues at all - everything ran as normal (except TC lockup), and I haven't changed anything since except cutting out all ECM related wires I wasn't making use of for accessories.

The LS1 rear - yes it's in my 1992 Camaro - it was from a 1999 car I believe. I'm running the stock 16" rims, and thus the wheels stick out a bit, but I'm happy with it - no other way to get LS1 rear discs and 3.42 posi gears for under $150!