Hello

I just read in the tech. articles on how to bypass your vats...i think this may be my problem, I turn the key and nothing happens, however, I know for a complete fact that the starter is good, and the battery is charged.

It said to measure the resistance in the resistor in the key with a multi-meter, how do I do that?

how much does a multi-meter cost?
Is there any where I can go and use one without buying it?

 

OK, the article says "find the 2 yellow wires going to a switch"

I just looked under the dash, there are 5 yellow wires, and there is no pair of yellow wires that go to a single location, nor are there 2 yellow wires that are anywhere near each other.

The car is an 89

 

You can get a multimeter from anywhere from $15 (Radio Shack) to a couple hundred (Fluke). The only real differences are added functions, higher amperage, looks pretty, weather resistant, etc. Get a cheap auto-ranging digital multimeter from the shack or a hardware store; spend about $30 to $40 so you have a decent one, but don't break the bank on something you can't use effectively at the moment.

To check resistance, put the meter on the resistance setting. This could have an OMEGA symbol, OHM, or "resistance". If there's a range setting, 20 is good (or 00.0 or whatever else it might say.. just one in the middle somewhere). You just want it to read Ohms, not milliOhms, kiloOhms, or anything like that.

Is your SECURITY light on and stays on when the key is in ON?

 

thanx for the info.

I dont think I even have a security light, I have never seen one on there.

 

Josh, does your key(ignition) have what appears to be a metal contact with a tiny plastic insulator on both sides? That is a resistor key for VATS, or anti-theft. You can take the probes from the meter and just read across the two connections on the key. Have someone hold the key for you or you need three hands. Put the key in ign. and then find the plug with the two yellow wires. then take another resistance check when the plug is open at the end coming from the ignition switch. The resistance should be within an ohm or two of key resistance. Common problem with VATS is the contact in the ign switch breaks and the key won't get read. For more details check out vats info on this site in the tech articles section.

 

The first cars to get the passkey as it was called was 88 I have an 89 and I have heard it was a trial or optional that year also. There are several alarm companies that offer vats eliminators like CRIMESTOPPERS security concepts etc. The passkey wires are orange and run next toone another right after the lock cylinder. In response to how to use a voltmeter radioshack sells them for around 10 -15 and that will probably be good for now. Like the previous post stated set the meter to 0.0 or 20 (V) and that will read voltage. Test it out on your battery put black to negative or a good metal ground and touch the red to positive you should read around 11.57- 12.23 or something like that. I think you should get a digital to eliminate error I thinjk autozone may have these cheap also.
JMFNX@AOL.COM
1989 GTA

 

yeah, I do have the passkey system, so are the wires yellow or orange....

can I just take the panel down that covers the ALDL terminal? or do I have to take apart the steering wheel to find the wires?

as I said, I took off the panel where the ALDL termial is and did not see 2 yellow wires running in unison to any switch...

thanx again for all the info.

 

The plug I have has two yellow wires(89). They are located where the wires come out of the steering column.