My car finally died after a few months of playing up, basically when ever i inserted the key to start the car she wouldnt swing, I noticed the security light come on, I would then leave it for about 5 mins then try again and then she would start, this went on intermitantly for 2 months, until a few days ago, she finally wouldn't start no matter what I did.

After extensive reading on this site, I discovered it may be the VAT system, of which I didnt know existed.

My question is, as I am in the U.K. and they don't have locksmiths who can create the correct resistance in a key, it's more of a US system, how can I bypass this to get the car started without having to spend a fortune, I currently have electricians who are helping me, but they arn't sure about the US setup on the VAT system.

I have a 1992 Pontiac Firebird V6

Hopefully someone can help on this.

 

There are more than several threads on bypassing VATS if you do a search. You do not need a new key, its the wires or contacts from the ignition key cylinder most likely causing the problem.

Basic bypass instructions:
1. Measure the resistance across the pellet of your key.
2. Buy one or more resistors that match the resistance found in step 1.
3. Drop the hush panel under the steering column, locate the orange or yellow sheath that has two small white wires inside of it. If you can find the connector under the steering wheel disconnect there.
4. Cut the wires from step 3 on the steering wheel side of the connector and solder the resistors in place.
5. Reconnect and start the car.

 

hey how yah doing? i have the same problem with my 92 firebird v8 here is a site that is helpfull i found last night and there is another usefull link at the bottom on how to by pass the passkey security and vats system. hope it helps you... How to bypass the VATS system in a late model GM vehicle ~jerry~

 

I hate to say this but I would not bypass the system,it is a good system but with the fault of the wires breaking after time.I would hate to bypass it and see my car not in the driveway one day.I have seen many cars towed in my dealership with only needing a column repair than maybe never seeing the car again.

 

Hello,

I have the same problem - did I buy your car? I've had mine since 19th May 2007 - registration J32 SVU, now resident in Reading, West Berkshire, England!

Mine is also a 3.1 V6. Did you fix the problem, if so how please?

Cheers,

Alex

 

After letting the electricians keep the car for the weekend to see if they could solve it, i decided to investigate, and found all my answers on here.

The problem was it would start at times and then cut out, no reason or anything, it turns out that the chip in the key can get faulty and the on board computer behind the dash on the passenger side may not read it correctly, thus resulting in not releasing the fuel injectors.

so what they did was remove the chip in the key and insert it in the middle of the ignition wires, as I beleive the ignition lock wasnt sending the signal or something like that, I can get you a number of the place that did mine and they should be able to tell you what they did, they will know my car.

there can be other issues with it but that was my issue, cost me 200 pound, would have been a lot less if we all knew what was going wrong

 

HI, I used to own J32SVU. it's a great car.when I bought it, it was only 3 years old,it only came with one key so I got a new key blank which I got cut at a locksmiths. when ordering the key I had to measure the electrical resistance of the resistor button in the ignition key,they went up in 1100ohm steps,some keys were 1100 ohms,then it went to 2200ohms,then 3300 ohms, them 4400ohms, etc.mine was 2200ohms.To my great relief the new key worked and the car was trouble free.
I got the car in 1996 with 64000k miles on the clock,I sold it in 1999 with 94000k miles.The year after I sold it I saw it at a car show at Worcester,a woman owned it then,but it had lost a few miles, it only had 61000k miles! I liked the car so much I bought another one in 2001,a 1992 3.1.I ran that to 148000K miles.
mick.