dippin88

hey guys I need help I swapped a 350TPI motor from an 89 iroc into my 88 camaro 305TBI and can't get it to start there tellin me I need to get a steering column from another iroc do to the security alarm or sumthin the 89 is there anyway to bypass this issue????
thanx for the help guys!

Rolling Thunder

What there referring to is the VATS (vehical anti theft system) system. Long story short this VATS module reads a resistor pellet in the ignition key if the resistance is correct it sends a signal to the ECM to tell it to enable the fuel injectors. Now what to do about this? You could swap steering coulmn and get a VATS system wired in but personally and i think i speak for alot of people when i say no one really like the VATS system because some day it will fail and leave u stranded. So aside from swapping in an entire VATS set up you could.....

1. Program the VATS feature out of the ECM

2. Buy a signal generator that will emulate the VATS "everythings ok" signal to the ECM

3. Buy a VATS module and install it with a resistor in place instead of having it try to read the keys resistance

dippin88

how and where can I get stuff to do this its my first time and the steering column frm the iroc is long gone... but that other stuff ur talkin bout I wudnt mind doin it if told how and wat I wud need? sorry if I'm asking to much just tryin to learn

Rolling Thunder

Its ok no worries.

1. The VATS can be programmed out of the ECM by anyone who has the ability to reprogram PROMs. Although it can be pricey this is the cleanest and easiest way to do it. I cant really make a recommendation here as to who to go to as ive never had to have a prom reprogrammed but places like PMC for less would be able to do it. Typicall all you do is send them the PROM chip or the whole ECM tell them what you want done in this case and thell send it back to you and everything should work fine after that. Just plug it back in and your ready to go.

2. The signal generator is one of those odd ball items thats most commonly purchased off ebay. I dont have a recommended seller or actual businesses that might offer it as again never had to buy one. However someone may chime in on where they have bought theres. Once purchased it would just need to be wired in.

3. Lastly buying a used VATS module would be wired in like it would normally have been from the factory but instead of reading the key resistance a resistor is put in its place so the VATS module always thinks the correct key is in place. This negates the need for the steering coulmn or anything beyond the vats module itself. This is the cheapest method of getting by. All you need to do is pick up a used module and some connectors to go to it and just wire it up which is not too bad and it can be discussed further should you want to go that route.

l_dis_travlr

All of the VATS info above is correct.
But what's not clear, is what all was involved in the original swap,
i.e. ECM, wiring harness, etc..
If the donor TPI ECM/harness was VATS equipped, then the bypass
info will solve the problem.
If the original TBI ECM/harness was retained, than there are probably
other problems to be addressed.

dippin88

yea everything came off the iroc ecm/harness but how and wat do I need to bypass or tune out the vats from the car I'm a rookie at all this stuff sorry I'm asking for too much but thanks for ur help