My question is how to properly remove VATS. Car is an 88 GTA notchback.

Currently theres a few wires that were cut in the wiring harness inside the car prior to me buying it. 2 wires specifically are going to the passkey box, a purple/yellow and a white/black wire. I've left those hanging for now...

I've removed the passkey box, swapped entire steering columns from a non VATS car(so lock cylinders and everything else are setup for no VATS), pulled the VATS fuse out of the fuse panel and put in a non VATS ECU.

Will the car start without having that passkey box hooked in or is the passkey have some wiring that just loops through to complete the ignition circuits? I don't want to have to deal with the VATS system as my parts car didnt have it and since im using all the lock cylinders from that, I dont wanna have to mess around with the VATS wiring either but if I have to I will...

Can anyone tell me if the VATS system is properly defeated in this case or will I need to splice a few wires to make it work? Car currently has no engine or engine wiring in it since im just working on the interior right now.

 

I think VATS works on a resistance value, if you have the key with the chip I belive you can use an ohms meter to get the valve, if not you need to use a peak reading digital VOA meter to find resistance at the key switch when you turn the key. then when you have a value hypatheticly you could link together resistors with a value totaling what your car requires to engauge the fuel pump. and solder them between the (I think these are the color of the wires) white and white with black stripe.

 

with using an ECM that isn't programed for VATS the only other thing you need to bypass if your car has it is the VATS starter relay, just make a jumper wire & plug it into to 2 right terminals at the relay.

 

Will just replace the relay with one that came from my parts car. Unless I need to jumper it as well.

Is the starter relay the silver metal relay that is mounted to the left kick panel inside the little opening closest to the floor? Or is it the black plastic one that is just above that clipped into the same area?

In response to VATS being resistance based, I've read that before on the tech boards/articles which is why I just replaced the whole column, didnt wanna mess with lock cylinders and steering wheels, besides the parts car wheel is in MUCH better condition than the GTA wheel was.

Any more info about leaving the passkey disconnected would be appreciated because I dont REALLY want to have to tear the dash apart to hook it back up again...

 

I have a jumper wire on the starter enable relay connector on my mine. I removed every single thing that had to do with the stock computer and vats system. There is nothing left behind my dash other then the neccesery wires to run gauges and the HVAC controls. I pulled the starter enalbe realy and jumped the two biggest gauge wires. My relay is located behind the drivers kick panel. I am still using my stock vats key with no issues.

 

where is the vats box located? I have tried finding it, but no luck so far...I have a 91 firebird v6 5 speed, and I am trying to locate the box to bypass it, I have bypassed the starter relay and the fuel pump, but i am having problems with the fuel injectors firing, so i need to find the vats box.

 

the passkey(vats box) is located behind the heater ducts in the center of the dash.

It's a royal pain in the *** to get at because you have to dismantle the entire dash to get at it.

It's a little grey box that bolts into the main ducting.
Hope this helps

 

thanks man, that should help out alot!