VATS issue for my 89' Firebird
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4
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VATS issue for my 89' Firebird
Hey,
I have a 1989 Pontiac Firebird that has a VATS ECM system that came with the car when It was first purchased. I don't believe I have the original key to it (Even though it looks just like the original key, but I believe it goes to a 93' Grand AM SE) and I just pulled the door cylinder from my driver's side door. I was wondering if the code for the VATS system is on this (So I know which Ohms measurement to find) so I can purchase my new VATS Ignition Lock, and a key with the correct code on it.
On the lock, the two codes I see are:
B10 (It looks like B10, but It could also be 810).
And on the bottom where the rod washer connects:
B16.
HELP ME! I have to start this car! It's killing me to let it just sit after I've had it and cleaned it really well for the past month in my free time.
I have a 1989 Pontiac Firebird that has a VATS ECM system that came with the car when It was first purchased. I don't believe I have the original key to it (Even though it looks just like the original key, but I believe it goes to a 93' Grand AM SE) and I just pulled the door cylinder from my driver's side door. I was wondering if the code for the VATS system is on this (So I know which Ohms measurement to find) so I can purchase my new VATS Ignition Lock, and a key with the correct code on it.
On the lock, the two codes I see are:
B10 (It looks like B10, but It could also be 810).
And on the bottom where the rod washer connects:
B16.
HELP ME! I have to start this car! It's killing me to let it just sit after I've had it and cleaned it really well for the past month in my free time.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 726
Likes: 1
From: League City, TX
Car: 90 Formula -- tot resto in progress
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700R4 w/ 2500 stall, by Owen @ ARD
Axle/Gears: 3.23 posi disc
Re: VATS issue for my 89' Firebird
Is the VATS still a problem?
There's an abundance of info available here, just do some searching.
Good luck, and post-up how it turns out.
There's an abundance of info available here, just do some searching.
Good luck, and post-up how it turns out.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 1,141
From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: VATS issue for my 89' Firebird
IF you are the org owner, IF its the org lock cyl and IF you show proof to the dealer, they can look that info up and cut you a key.
Some dealers will brush you off because it isnt a high dollar ticket. Don't give up.
Some dealers will brush you off because it isnt a high dollar ticket. Don't give up.
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 808
Likes: 5
From: Tucson, AZ
Car: 88 GTA Notchback
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: don't know
Re: VATS issue for my 89' Firebird
I have a little "goody box" where you can actually dial in any restistance from 0- 1million ohms. "Liberated" it from my old job. Thing works wonders for figuring out exactly what resistor is needed for a VATS bypass.
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350ci 5.7L TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: VATS issue for my 89' Firebird
If it's the vats you're having a problem with you can do a bypass…
Sometimes the wire inside the cylinder that reads the chip in the key wears off and it can't read the key. There are 15 different GM keys, you need to figure to which one is yours…
KEY# OHMS
1———— 0.402
2———— 0.523
3———— 0.681
4————-0.887
5————-1.130
6————-1.470
7————-1.870
8————-2.370
9————-3.010
10————3.740
11————4.750
12————6.040
13————7.500
14————9.530
15————11.801
Then go to radio shack and and get some resistors, they are cheap, add up to the resistance needed, under the steering column find the orange wire, cut and split the 2 white wires, connect the resistors and viola! This cost me about $8 or you can get a new cylinder for $120
Sometimes the wire inside the cylinder that reads the chip in the key wears off and it can't read the key. There are 15 different GM keys, you need to figure to which one is yours…
KEY# OHMS
1———— 0.402
2———— 0.523
3———— 0.681
4————-0.887
5————-1.130
6————-1.470
7————-1.870
8————-2.370
9————-3.010
10————3.740
11————4.750
12————6.040
13————7.500
14————9.530
15————11.801
Then go to radio shack and and get some resistors, they are cheap, add up to the resistance needed, under the steering column find the orange wire, cut and split the 2 white wires, connect the resistors and viola! This cost me about $8 or you can get a new cylinder for $120
Last edited by Juve88GTA; Jan 22, 2013 at 10:18 AM.
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