i have a 1989 gta with a vats system i lost my only key so i am going to replace the ignition cylinder and key with a used cylinder from what i understand my car has a vats 1 system which will except the new key and cylinder is this correct?

 

The key and cylinder will fit, but the problem will be that the vats system will need the pellet code on your lost key in order to start the car again. make a search on VATS and you'll get a bunch of pretty good info. Lately there seems to be a lot of problems with vats around here. Right now I'm going through a problem with mine, so good luck with yours!!

 

That is correct 1987gt, how are you making out with your problem so far?

The Trickster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

i haate to tell you but that incorrect in 89 we have a vats 1 system your computer will except the new resistence and the car should start.i still have no car to drive trickster.

 

I hate to say this 1987gt, but, you have totally lost me on that one!

Let me see if I can make some sense out of this. In your first post you said you were going to replace your old ignition cylinder and key with a used cylinder and key. If this cylinder and key is from a car from 1992 an earlier, yes they will work in your car provided the key has the same resistance code as your old one. The VATS control module in your car cannot be reprogrammed like the ones in the Buick's and some other cars. If you plan to use the ignition cylinder and key from another car, then you should also take the VATS control module and replace it as well, that way the resistance in the key will match the resistance code stored in the VATS control module. In 1993, they changed the VATS and incorporated a different VATS control module that is not compatible with the 1992 and earlier model cars that have VATS.

The Trickster!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

well i read an article that said in 1989 they used a vats 1 system in which you can change the ignition and the computer will except the new resistence even the lock smith agrees it will work.

 

As I mentioned in my previous post, there were some car manufacturers, like Buick. That installed a VATS control module that had the capability of being reprogrammed to accept a different code in the likelyhood of a problem like yours. GM (meaning chevrolet & pontiac) decided not to use that system, instead, they used a system where a VATS control module with an unprogrammed (blank) chip was installed in the car. After the ignition lock cylinder was installed in the car, a key was cut and programmed with one of fifteen resistance values that GM used. The first time the car was started with that programmed key, the resistance value of the key was prgrammed into the chip in the VATS control module and cannot be changed. If you wish to use a key with a resistance value that is different from your original key, then you must change the VATS control module as well. The resistance value for your key is not programmed into your computer. There is a command programmed into your computer that tells it to interrogate the VATS control module for a proper response. If the computer gets the proper response back from the VATS control module, it will enable the starter relay and the fuel injectors. If it does not receive the proper response back, then the starter relay and fuel injectors will not work period.

The Trickster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

again i read a article i will try to find it for you that is incorrect the gm computer will once reset read the new rtesistence in the chip.gm did use the system you are talking about look up vats 1.

dude im so sick of this **** this is the stupidest ****ing system ever made it really is useless only thing its good for is ****ing with the owner im really fed up.

 

Trickster is right, it's a once and done. GM supplies a new key with thier cylinder, but it is a brass non pellet type. For early VATS they then cut the new key with the old pellet or resistor code. It's not a big deal, have the locksmith cut a key for the new cylinder with your old PASS code. Not all locksmiths are set up to read the key, larger shops will. The dealer can also do that with proof of ownership for a nominal fee. Or, have him simply change the cylinder pins for your old key.

 

im sorry to say you guys are loosing me here i dont have nor does anyone else have a code for my car so how do i get the resistence value?how do you change the cylinder pins? imn not saying you guys are wrong i just dont understand how im gonna fix this car the locksmith wants to put anew cylinder in but you guys are saying the car wont start with the new cylinder?

 

Go to a dealer with proof of ownership. Take the VIN number and they will look up the key code for you assuming it has not been changed from the original one.

 

i allready called the dealers and they dont have the codes for my car i also got ahold of roadside assistence and they had the codes but the ignition code they had was wrong.

 

Well, the only alternative is to get a 1500 ohm potentiometer and put it across the yellow wires coming from ign cyl pellet contacts and set it to each of the 9 or 10 codes or resistances until it starts. Search the boards, there was a chart of the different values and the corresponding number.