I was just looking at some wires down in my dash. There is a extra ignition with a key in it. I figured ok something stupid so I unhooked it and my car wouldn't crank. I hooked it back up and boom car cranked right up? I didn't try just taking the key out but it doesn't really look good dwon there. I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas on what this could be and how i could solve the problem. Also there is tw VERY SMALL WHITE WIRES running to it and those are whati clipped

 

Does the primary ignition in your car use VATS? I'm guessing that for some reason or another, a previous owner installed a new ignition (probably without VATS), but didn't know how to bypass the VATS that was already there, so he just left the key in it and tucked it out of the way. What I would do, is take the key out of the old ignition, and measure the resistance with a VOM across the metal contacts on either side of the chip. Then wire in a resistor (from Radio Shack) with as close to this measured resistance as you can find between the two small white wires. I think this is how you can get rid of it. I'm not an expert, or anything, so definitely get a 2nd opinion. Good luck!

 

what is VATS? I am no expert on wiring so I don't know much. So take the old key out and stick a VOM in where the key goes in the old ignition? Then once I get that resistance, buy one from radio shack and wire it between the two white wires?

 

VATS = Vehicle Anti Theft System. If your car has it, your key will have a small black chip w/a metal contact on each side before the "teeth" in the key. I don't have a digi cam, or I'd take a pic of mine. Anyways, I'm willing to bet that the hidden ignition in your car has it. Take the key out of this ignition, and inspect it. You'll know if it's got VATS or not by the description I gave. If so, then take a digital volt/ohm meter and place the test leads one on each side of the chip. Read this resistance, and acquire a resistor from the Rat Shack that matches it. Clip the two small white wires going to the hidden ignition, and wire this resistor in between them. Solder it and tape it off (or use heat shrink tube) so that it doesn't ground out against anything or come loose. Then, with the key still removed from the hidden ignition, try firing it up. Keep us posted!

Oh yeah, are there any other wires connected to this hidden ignition switch? Or are just the two small wires connected still?

 

I would leave it there. It is like a security system. You'll need both keys to start it. This way if you go on vacation and have to leave the car, pull it out. I used a 89 TPI in my Monte SS and it has the VATS. I kept the key and everything hooke up and is hidden in my car. If the thief can't find it he can't steal my car. To each their own though.

Does it look like this in my pic??? If so it is VATS.

 

yes that is what it looks like. I might leave it there. I am not sure. I just dont like how it looks.

 

I'm not about to show where and how I have mine But if you can find a nice place for it and mount it really nice you'll forget all about it till you need it. Even though..I would measure the resistance and write it down somewhere safe so you don't lose it. Just in case you loose teh key or something. Better safe then sorry. Be creative with how you fix it up. Mine looks great where I have it, you would think it was suppose to be there.

HTH
Keiran

 

i used those wires to wire in a momentary switch and now it smy lil kill switch.