Having some intermittant problems(happened twice)with my car, sometimes it will not turn over and the security light stays on in the instrument cluster.Local GM dealer thinks the lock cylinder is worn. Since a new cylinder is out of the question ($400.00 bucks installed) I was wondering if anyone knows how to bypass this system without causing any problems thus allowing me to have a regular spare set of keys cut ( Chip keys are damn expensive too!).

 

The cylinder is < $100, if you want to do it yourself. You may also want to check the contacts in the cylinder & the resistor contacts on the key - they get dirty from lint, etc. There are two wires that come out of the steering column in a single sheathing that terminate in a two prong plug. The wire colors on the harness side are white / black, and purple / white. Measure the resistance of the resistor on your key & install a resistor of that value across the two wires going into the harness. The resistor is available from Radio Shack.

Tim

 

Pesonnally, I think bypassing VATS is a stupid idea. I see theft recoveries come through the shop on a weekly basis. None of the cars actually got stolen thanks to VATS, so the car is recovered (from the driveway) with minimal damage. Can't say so much for the non VATS equipped cars. It works. The lock cylinder is the most likely cause, and is NOT hard to do. All you really need is Torx bits, steering wheel puller, and lock plate depressor. All can be bought at your local parts store, the look cylinder (I saw the one you need at Discout auto parts for $30). You will need a new key wich will run you about $30. So for about $100 you can have your car back to normal, and safe from hoodlems. Not to mention you will have the tools for other projects now.

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