I've been working on my buddies Camaro and can't seem to find out whats wrong. I am thinking its the VATS system after reading some of the older posts. Can anyone tell me how to decipher if it is or not. What does the security system lights do? Lights up steady flashes or what? I am a begginer at these newer cars but heres what it does. Right at this moment it wont crank at all but I can jump the starter and it will so its got to be something electrical. Battery, starter and alternator are new. My buddy previously had intermitant problems of the battery going dead and not cranking, so can anyone tell me where to start? Thanks

 

Hello 73LTZ28,

You have e-mail.

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

 

Thanks for the info TRICKSTER I will let you know if I figure it out.

 

You're welcome, anymore questions just e-mail me!

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

 

OK Trickster you seem to be the master at this stuff tell me if what I came up with is correct. First of all the security light stays on all the time after you turn to on, so that leads me to the PASS Key so I checked the resistance of the key and unplugged the wires under the dash and checked the two white wires resistance and it mached the key. So according to the manual you sent me it is the VATS Module that is bad? It says in the manuel to check the VATS fuse where exactly is it? Just thought maybe that could be it also, no other fuses are blown Soooooooo? What else could it be? Listening to it when you turn the key on it sounds like the fuel pump comes on makes a low hum then a click because if it works then it could be the starter relay maybe? Thanks for helping.

 

The VATS fuse is a 10 amp fuse located in the convenience center which is located under the dash behind the ALDL terminal. About three bolts and it swings down. Your starter relay is mounted behind the left kick panel near the bottom. If you are able to start it by jumping the starter and it runs, then you are getting a pulse to the fuel injectors. I would replace the starter relay after testing the wire harness using the procedure in the information I sent you. You might have a short in that harness since you mentioned an intermittent problem with the battery going dead and not cranking.

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

 

I should have told you I tried to start it by jumping the starter but it didn't run, so does the security light mean anything?

 

Let me go try an experiment and I will get right back to you.

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

 

Ok 73LTZ28,

I am back, first off that security light staying on means that the wrong resistance code has been detected. It does not neccessarily mean that the VATS control module is bad. Being fortunate that I have a good spare VATS lock cylinder to play with, I disconnected my lock cylinder and connected my spare to the VATS control module and inserted a key that contained a valid but different code and tried to start the car. The fuel pump worked, but the car would not start or crank and the security light came on and stayed on. I disconnected the spare and reconnected my lock cylinder. I then tried to start the car with the same results. After four minutes, I tried to start the car. Security light came on for two seconds, went out and car started. If you are wondering about the four minute wait period, the VATS control module has a timer that starts when it gets an invalid code and blocks any further attempts to start for four minutes until it resets. It will do this even if it gets a correct response during this four minute period. I would have to say that the culprit here is either the contacts on the key or the contacts in the lock cylinder, or both being worn. If you have a spare key for the ignition, try it and see if it works.

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

 

73LTZ28,

You have e-mail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

 

You know - if you don't mind me saying.... If we could bottle Trickster and sell him, we'd be rich

 

Sorry Thirtybird,

My wife has already claimed first dibs on all bottling and mineral rights. But, Thanks!!