Im about to find a used Steering column to swap into my gta with vats im assuming i need to get a column with vats but is there a module or something that needs to come with the donor column or will i have to switch out the locking mechanism so i can use the same key?

 

I believe you just need to swap out the lock cylinders since all the vats stuff is iunder the dash. This is how it was on the 89 Column I bought from a Formula.

 

hmm.. as far as I remember, Vats only disables your fuel pump after a bit if the resister isnt in place to connect these two wires in your lock cylinder. Do it the pro way and yea swap the lock cylinder and pay close attention on how the wires are hooked up. OR! at the ALDL connecter, ya know that diagnostics deal where it has like some 20 connectors on it, bottom right of the steering wheel? well, on the connector, the bottom left connecter goes to the fuel pump in most cases. Its pin connecter "F" if you wire 12v to it, it turns on your fuel pump. I have to do this because my vats is disabled. Check the book to make sure thats for the fuel line, I'm not sure if your car is different then mine but I wouldnt doubt it.

 

If the lock cylinder in you old steering column is good, just swap it over to the new column that you are putting in. If it's not good then you will need a new VATS lock cylinder and key. If the steering column you are putting in has the VATS lock cylinder in it, you will need a new key with the same resistance code as your old one. The VATS circuit disables the starter and the fuel injectors on your car, not the fuel pump.

 

In theory, couldnt you just add a resistor inline witht he vats, with the same ohms as the one in the key, causing to to think you had the right key?

 

Yes he could do that, but if he has the parts available why not do the job right to start with?

 

I think if im going to have to open the column anyway im just gonna try to tighten the torx bolts in mine and keep it the only issue with my column is play in the tilt. I found some info on here already about dismantling the column, does anyone have any tips on doing this hassle free, should i remove the cloumn to make it more acessable?

 

I tried taking my column apart to tighten it, and ended up just buying a used column for $45 from a junkyard. It is so much easier to just swap the columns.

 

I figured Swapping would be easier but i will still have to swap the lock because it has vats so i figured if ill be in the column anyway why not fix it, its in perfect condition besides the play in the tilt . Is it fairly easy to just swap the lock compared to tightening the torx bolts. the torx bolts looked like a big job but with the right tools beforehand and a good diagram people have said it should only take a few hours or so. Ive never pulled a column apart but i am fairly mechanically inclined.

 

I've overhauled my own engine before, and I gave up on the torx bolts. Pieces started falling out that I didn't know where they went back in. I never did get to those nasty little bolts. Swapping the lock cylinder and the column seemed way easier to me.

BTW, VATS and non VATS lock cylinders are different size. If you get a non VATS column, you need a non VATS lock cylinder. I have an 89 with VATS and I got a column from an 84 so I had to buy a non VATS lock cylinder. I also had to bypass the VATS on my car. (I still am not sure how i did that, but i did!)

When you install the new column, be sure your steering wheel doesnt end up upside down like mine haha.

 

Let me tell you a little something about VATS.....
Do you want to be stranded in a dark cold place somewhere because your key has lost some of its resistance from sitting out in the sun or being exposed to extreme cold or some crap like that? I sure as hell dont!...
I suggest buying a lock without the VATS circuit and going up under the dash and finding a little black 2 pin connector with 2 little white wires coming out on each end. Disconnect the plug, find the part that goes to the VATS box, use an ohm meter to check the resistance of the key and go to an electronics store like radio shack and buy that same value of resistor within 5% tolerance (which should cost you less than $1) cut the end of the plug and solder the resistor to the two wires and then heat shrink that resistor and write down the value of it somewhere where you know you can easily recall it if you need to. And then call it a day. VATS keys are like $50-$80 at the dealer and they can only make one work if you know the resistance value. If you do this simple MOD you will save lots of time and some money in the end. If you want a starter kill, install a real alarm system.
Also, be carefull not to disturb the air bag wiring. It has a label and is in a yellow jacket. Stay away from that 2 wire connector.

 

In the driver's side kick panel (by your left foot) there is a relay. I don't remember exactly what I did, but I recall the VATS would send a ground signal to that relay when it had the correct resistance. I just tied that wire to ground all time.