1989 formula firebird 305
i am having trouble with vats on this car. bypassed with a resistor over a year ago and am now having trouble again and suspect vats module. start relay under kick panel will not energize unless done so physically with a ground wire. car will start this way but doesnt run very well. does the vats module also control the computer? mitchells manual component locator says module is left side of dash above steering column. other things i have read says behind defrost duct. before i tear into this it would be nice to know the exact location and what it entails to change it. i need some help.

thanks
bob k

 

Try replacing the starter enable relay first, it is cheaper and easier than replacing the VATS control module. Also there is only one wire going from the VATS control module to the computer and that is the signal wire to energize the fuel injectors.

 

the start enable relay is ok. the vats module provides a ground to the relay when the resistor key is inserted in lock. simulating this ground with a jumper wire (bypassing the vats) the relay works fine and the engine will crank. it appears the vats is not activating the ground (the small green wire to the relay). i've tried the bypass resistor to the connector that goes to the vats from the lock, this was how it was running for the last year or so because the keylock was bad. the fuses in the convenience center under dash are ok. i highly suspect vats but can't find it. i need a book of some kind that illustrates or has replacement steps.

thanks
bob k

 

It is located on the firewall near the drivers right knee below the defroster ducts and is a royal PITA to get to. For easier access to it, remove drivers seat and center console first. While doing this procedure, it is advisable that you do not have any young impressionable children or anyone who has what might be termed "delicate ears" in the general vicinity of your work area. Here is a picture of its location in your car.

 

thanks for the pic.
that pic will definetly help. picking up a module and lock tomorrow. son (19 yrs old) is doing most of the work, i'm getting to old for this stuff.
i've been told that bypassing the resistor key can cause module to eventually go bad. maybe the constant activation of the module eventually destroys it??

it must be behind the insulation??

 

does the heater box have to come out also

i have dash removed and defrost ducts and still can't find the SOB

to get to the area behind the defros ducts, it looks like the heater box has to be removed??

 

No the heater box doesn't have to come out.