I recently bought a 92 formula with no key. I bypassed the vats by putting the correct resistor in the wires coming from the steering column. This worked great for about a week when the car just shut down while I was driving. The fuel pump was no longer getting power. I ran a new wire to the pump and it turns on with the key now, but still no fuel comes out of the injectors while cranking. If I spray starting fluid in the throttle body before cranking the engine will turn over and the injectors will begin to pulse and it will then run. this is the ONLY way I can get it to start and is inconvenient. If anyone has a clue I sure would appreciate the help. thanks

 

I had a similar problem with mine that was "temporarily" fixed with the resistor as well. It worked for awhile and then it too did not have fuel. I eventually had to take it to a mechanic and he put a different computer (or chip) from a car not equipped with the VATS system and a different lock cylinder. The car works fine now. Maybe someone on this board knows of a computer(or chip) that could work for you.
POZ

 

Very interesting, I have heard of this quite a few times. Don't quote me here or I will have a bunch of wannabe experts chewing me a new U no what but I think the VATS needs a sequence. I think it's very similiar to a trouble code that takes so many starts to clear itself. Try this, disconnect the battery for about 15 min and then see if it works like when you first bypassed it. Is the "security" light staying on? I suspect that maybe the VATS module has a little subroutine in the software to prevent running it in that way. Either that, or the resistor you used is out of tolerance enough to prevent starting. The PASS key pellets are not standard EIA value resistors. I did a bypass once and used a fixed resistor close to value, it worked OK till it got hot outside. I wound up using a 20 turn precision potentiometer tuned to the exact value of the PASS key. Don't know what the long term situation was, she sold the car shortly after that. Let me know how Y make out. It would be good to know.

 

How much did this cost? Somebody broke into my 91 Firebird and broke the bezzel on the ignition. I can turn key and get lights etc. but no engine.

 

Sweldon,

On your problem, the wire on the ignition lock cylinder for the VATS was probably broken when the thieves broke the bezel.

 

It cost a freakin arm and a leg.... better talk to the trickster sweldon, I know very little on the VATS system. What sweldon said about the wire near the column makes perfect sense. I had the power steering pump go out around that time ( and being a poor college student with no money, I drove it that way) and I was really wrenching on the steering wheel every time i turned. If you are interested, the place that fixed it was called Espo's (Esposito's) in the city. Sorrry to hear about the thieves that cant keep their hands off other people's stuff, Ive had two cars stolen myself Good luck Sweldon!

 

yes, the security light stays on all the time. I'm thinking that it might just be easier to replace the computer and wiring harness with one without vats. Would this work? I found a brand new comp. and harness for a tbi online for only $150. This would be a small price to pay to enjoy my car for the summer without problems, if it would be a solution. thanks for your help.l

 

If it helps u out, my mechanic did not replace the harness. its the original. you might get away with just computer.

 

Would replacing the computer alone make it so the vats didn't work? Could I get a computer from any car with a 3.1 or does it need to be a 91 - 92 bird or something since I have a 91... I unplugged the vats and ecm fuses, left the car for 5mins and plugged them back in and was good to go.

 

I gave up on the 91 money pit, sold it for $500 to one of the guys at the local parts yard. He said his son will really enjoy it. He had his keyman come over and put a new cylinder in for $100. The thieves were so vicious it would have cost me another $1000 to get back to where it was before the crime. At least I have my 88 Fiero and Harley Sportster.