VATS resistor value - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Vintageracer · 10-25-2009, 10:58 AM

I just purchased a 91 B4C that lost the ignition switch and due to an attemped theft. The car had been sitting the owner also lost the keys. In reading the tech article about "fooling" the VATS system installing the proper resistor is discussed.

The instructions tell you to measure the resistance across the key and/or at the plug for the ignition switch. I assume the power must be on to measure the resistance at the plug. Is that correct? Will this measurment give me the proper resistance reading so I can purchase and install the proper resistor?

Thanks for the help!

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net_coma · 10-25-2009, 05:53 PM

Others on here have said that the dealer with you VIN can give you that value. Seems to depend on the knowledge level of the attnedent and his desire to help. As always seems there are some nobs at the GM parts counters. Ones I have delt with have been great.

camaronewbie · 10-25-2009, 06:15 PM

You can't test the resistance in the car - you can only test the resistance of the pellet on the key. There is no resistance on the car end. If the key is gone, then you'll have to get all 15 resistors and test them inline one by one until you get the right one - then solder that one into place permanently.

Vintageracer · 10-25-2009, 07:13 PM

Thank you both very much for the information and your responses!

Mike M · 10-26-2009, 09:34 PM

Yes, camaronewbie is very correct. If you have the original key then it is easy. Simply measure the resistance of the "pellet" and match it to the closest value from the resistance chart. If you do not have the original key then it is a long process. I was asked several years ago to help someone get their camaro running after losing the keys. I bought a small variable trim potentiometer from radio shack and simply dialed in the resistances from the chart until I found the corect one. Keep in mind you will have to wait ten minutes between tries or the Vats module will kick out the attempt. If you don't want to keep the Vats system in use simply solder the resistance to the small wires from the ignition lock and it will bypass the Vats. See below for all 15 values.

1=392 ohms, 2=523, 3=681, 4=887, 5=1130, 6=1470, 7=1870, 8=2370, 9=3010, 10=3740, 11=4750, 12=6040, 13=7500, 14=9530, 15=11800

Vintageracer · 10-26-2009, 10:07 PM

Today I found a complete steering column with key AND the matching VATS module in the dash that is still installed in the same car. If I install this column and the matching VATS module in my car will this method also easily solve the VATS issue since the resistance in the key will match the VATS module or is there more to it than that?

camaronewbie · 10-26-2009, 10:27 PM

This will work also - but I'd much rather find the resistor for the column I had and fix that rather than remove and install a new column. If you want to keep VATS, when you find the right resistor then just go to ACE Hardware and have a key made to match for $25.

Vintageracer · 10-26-2009, 11:26 PM

The column is broken and must be replaced anyway. I also do not have the key for the car so that's why that idea was interesting to me.

Other than that the car is very straight and complete!