91' FireBird v6 3.1
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My car wont start...It all started yesterday when I was on my way to a job interview. Something told me to go to my girls house for a little bit till the interview. Well I got in the car all ready to go and it wouldn't do anything...AT ALL....All that came up was typical lights that come up before you know F-body stuff like check engine light,seatbelt light,etc...... All except the security light and the infl rest light. Now the infl rest light was always on eversince I got the car and never really affected it any so far as how it opperated and stuff. But what was odd was the security light. What usually happens is the security light will flash and then go off. Well now it just stays on..and wont go off at all. I called a local pontiac deal and the guy said that I should try replacing the lock & tumbler with a new one because the little *** they started putting on the GM cars in the late 90's like 90 and up was really worn along with the teath on the key. So it sounded like a feasable answer to my problem. Still didn't fix it so I cantinue to go down the line checking other things and dismissig them batterys good,starter and soilnoid seem fine. I haven't had a chance to pull them off and check them out thoroughly. But going but how they have been working and them start really strong and all. Plus I assume that if either where the problem I would atleats here it try like a clicking or something I'm assuming. So now I don't know what to do...all I know is that it's got to be something code related that has to do with the VATS system. Becuase it keeps flashing security everytime you turn the key to start the car. Anyone have any suggestions ? I'm trying to get this sorted out before school next week and before I start my job....If I get the damn thing tommorow....

~BB~

 

Well, from reading your post it sounds like you might have a problem with the VATS. It is probably a broken wire on the ignition switch inside the column. To check it, disconect the two wire harness that comes down the column. It should be either two yellow wires with a black wrap or two white wires with a orange wrap. It plugs into a connector with a purple/yellow wire and a black/white wire. Using a multimeter set to OHM's, measure the resistance of the pellet in your key and write it down. Now put the key in the lock cylinder and leave in the "OFF" position. Now put the multimeter probes in the terminals on the white wires and measure the resistance of the key. If you get no reading or a weak reading, the lock cylinder is the problem.

 

Well iwas just informed that my VATS is my problem from a friend on Fuelslut.org and he told me that if I disconnect it the car should start right up. Also I replaced the cylinder today and it does make a difference indeed. Everything responds better then it use to. So now I need to know how to take care of my VATS.

~BB~

 

Hello BlackBob,

If you disconnect it, the result will be the same as what you experienced today. To disable it is another matter. You can connect a resistor of the same value to the connector with the purple/yellow & black/white wire and bypass the VATS. Or you can take out the vats wiring and get a special chip burned for you that will disable the VATS in the computer. Personnally, I like the VATS.

 

The thing is it is hurting me more then it is helping me. Right now my car is FARRR from what you would want or even think about stealing so I don't need it. And in th furture I'm getting something after market anyways. So now I'm just gonna try to somehow work around it and just setup a pushstart and kill switch.

~BB~