After looking at wiring diagrams, it appears to me that all the VATS does is complete the ground circuit for the starter relay. To the experts, is this a valid assumption? I would think that just grounding the lead from the relay to the VATS would disable it. Any ideas, comments?

 

Actually, it sends a signal to the ECM to close the circuit to the starter enable relay which lets the starter solenoid operate. It also tells the ECM to generate pulse signals to the fuel injectors so they will work and allow fuel to the cylinders. You might bypass the starter, but you still have the injectors.

 

interesting, because my ECM and injectors are gone (as in removed) and the car still starts. i was just looking for an easy disable as insurance.

 

on my 89 the VATS just completes the ground circuit for the starter relay. Why not get rid of the relay all together?

 

Desnt work. I have a chip programmed with VATS and no Vats module. Only grounding the wire doesnt work. I was hoping it would, need chip reburned...

 

but you still have a computer to fuss with, right? I have no ECM or related components, and the car still starts. but the VATS is there and I want to disable it without major headache. i have to agree with SERPENT, i think it is just a ground.

 

If you no longer have a computer in your car and it starts and runs, then the VATS is effectively disabled. You no longer have the injectors and have either removed or jumpered the starter enable relay. So you have no VATS to worry about. Even if you still had the key with the pellet, it wouldn't matter because there is no computer or injectors.

 

To anyone that is interested, I work with a guy that makes a piece that you wire in-line that will effectively disable all VATS systems. He gets about $200to do this little trick - too bad I learned how to do it. Anyone want one, let me know

 

does it allow eliminating the vats module?

 

i can see this thread is going nowhere fast. no diagram I have ever seen has anything connecting the VATS to the ECM, and just to clarify I haven't removed or jumped the starter relay. and sorry to burst the bubble, but the vats is still there and still working, since one of my keys is bad and the car won't start when i use it. this is just the real world experience i am having, and was looking for an answer. thanks to all who replied.

 

There's a wire that goes from the vats to the PCM called fuel enable, it's usuallly blue and it sends a coded signal to the ECM to turn the fuel on.

I'm just wondering if that dude was charging $200 just to cut some wires and solder a resistor in

 

No, you can-not remove the VATS module, but you no longer have to use the pass-key setup. The module is tied into your starter, fuel, security indicator light & ignition switch. I will try to up-load a partial wiring diagram later. And yes, he does get $200 to do just that, but typically it is cause the module is bad & those run more than that

 

that doesn't make any sense. Is he being paid $200 to repair a blown VATS, bypass the key or what?

I don't know what he's told you but if you have a good working module and just want to eliminate the need to the chipped key it's easy. Getting rid of the chipped key is needed to use a remote start.

Just measure the resistance of the chip in the key, go to radio shack and get a resistor of the same value, or get a potetiometer and set it to the same resistamce, then cut the wires that go from the lock cylinder and put the resistor across it.

 

Hello Phil,

You have an e-mail that may help you.