does anyone know how to find out the 1-15 number the vats box is? i have a number 2 key, 0.523 ohms thats part of a new column and have no idea what the number of the VATS box is. any help is great

 

you might try a dealer, OR you can get one of each of the 15 different keys and try them one by one, OR you can program a chip without the VATS.

If you only replaced the Column then why not get the "Chip" from the ORIGINLA key and have your new key made with the Old chip but with the new teeth patern.

John

 

well the whole reason i replaced the column was to get a working VAT system. ill try a dealer because getting 14 other keys cut would get rather pricey. thers no way to back probe the vats box at the connector for a readingt or anything like that

 

According to the service manual, you need a tool called a "VATS Interrogator" part# J 35628-A. Then you basically try each of the values, waiting 4 minutes between each attempt until the car starts. Depending on the cost of that tool, it may or may not be cheaper to just get the 15 different resistors and wire them each in until you hit the jackpot, then have a pair of keys made with the pellet that cooresponds to that value. I'm guessing the Interrogator is just a box that plugs inline with the VATS system and has the different available resistor values selectable.

 

Jza is right about what the VATS Interrogator is, its just in a nice easy to use package.
the cheapest way is to get some resistors that match all the keys & then plug them in one at a time to the car side of VATS connector under the dash.

the resistance for each key is listed here along with lots of info on trouble shooting the VATS system.
https://www.thirdgen.org/vats_passkey_system

 

The other option to buying 15 sets of resistors is to buy a 10k potentiometer at Radio Shack. Connect two wires to the pot then dial in one of the 15 resistance settings (the #15 is higher than 10k but if the other 14 don't work you know which one you need). Cost of the potentiometer was $1.29 a couple of months ago.

 

For those of you who want to now a Potentiometer is a Variable resostor, its a fancy word for Dimmer. "Pot" is slang for POTentiometer for those in the electronics industry or the music industry.

8492bird has a good idea.

I would think a digital meter handy would help too, then you could use the chart above to determine the resistance then through trial and error, Within about an hour you can get the number you need.

WHere is the VATS box anyways on our cars? I want to actually add one to my 87...

John

 

so by backprobing the leads out of the VATS box ill be able to get the resistance of the box and the # key i need?

 

If you want I can try to see when I go to work monday what the resistance is on a no.2 pellet.Let me know if you want me to try this.{I work at a cadillac dealership}.

 

I am quick to respond,what is the origanal key,I know I said about giving you the resistance of a no.2 key,but I see you already have this,what is the original key/Sorry about this.

 

i have no idea what the original key # was, the column was replaced before i bought it and the vats was bypassed. could u check if theres anyway to get the resistance of the box itself?
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ill try the Potentiometer idea if nothing else comes up. also i found this VATS interrogator, has anyone tried one like this? and with the interrogator, that is just a test device to get the number that goes with the VATS not something to bypass the VATS right?

 

what would you recommend if you have no key and no idea what your Vat # is?

 

id say get the number out of the Vats box. and then get a key to match. or if u dont have an ignition key it would be easier to get a new column and get a key cut with the chip that matches the VATS.
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osCommerce : VATS INTERROGATOR [KEEK-VATS] - $57.90 that is the interrogator im looking into

 

there won't be any number on the VATS module that will tell you what key you need.
when they are new, the VATS modules are not programed, they get programed the first time they are powered up & sees a resistance from the lock cylinder.
using a potentiometer, getting a full set of the right resistors or getting that VATS Interragator are the only ways other than buying a new VATS module.

you said its bypassed, is there a resistor put in the harness under the dash where the wiring from the lock cylinder plugs in at?

 

Since resistors are only a few cents apiece, I say just go ahead and buy the whole set.

 

If the VATS was bypassed, it had to have some sort of resistor or something to bypass it with, why not check the resistance of that resistor to get which key you need?

IIRC you can just disconnect a VATS from the ECM as the car would not start.

John

 

ok well being a dumba$$ i didnt think to check the bypassed part of the VATS system. thanks John. I just tested it and the Reading was 1.094, it dosnt exactally match any key ohm. any ideas on which key to go with?

 

according to the Vats Key Codes & Resistance chart it looks like it should be key #5

 

ok sounds good and fits the min reading. just ordered a #5.. hope it works

 

I guess thats why I was all confused... I knew you had your car running at one point...

no problem

John

 

With this Vats interrogator is there any specific type of key you would need in order for this to work?

 

It just needs to be the correct key "mechanically" in order to turn the ignition cylinder. It wouldn't matter if the key was correct or not "electrically" or if it even had a pellet at all. There is a way to figure out how to make a key from a given cylinder (which is described in the service manual), as well as to rekey the cylinder to an existing key (also described in the manual).

 

Thanks alot. Even if it isn't the original Vats box the interrigator shoudl still work correct? I called a local GM dealer to get the VATS # from the VIN # but they said my car wasn't showing a VATS key was needed, but either way it should be able to tell me the correctnumber needed right?

 

the interrogator will work, it will just take some time. you start on the first setting & try to start it, if it doesn't start you turn the key off, put the interrogator on the second setting & then wait 5 minutes & try to start it
again, and so on until it either starts or you go through all the settings.

 

well the keys were shipped today. thanks again JOHN

 

Thanks alot. What happens if i go through all the settings and the car still doesnt start then what do you recommend i do?

 

have u tried all the settings? or just hypothetical?

 

You state that the keys were shipped, where are you? many local Locksmiths have the VATS Keys in stock. I used to get mine done at ACE hardware in Flint. It was a whole lot cheeper than going to the dealership that's for sure.

John

 

well i went to a few lock shops in town, but none of them delt with VATS keys... so i ordered 2 keys for like $11 shipped which isnt that bad in my eyes because one of my friends paid over $30 for a GM dealer to make him a key

 

well the keys came in and i had them cut so in all it cost me $15 for two keys. not that bad? well thanks guys for all your help

 

good price on the keys, but does it start now?

 

yeah its up and running

 

Every now and then I get it right...



John

 

Where did you get 2 keys with the vats pellet for that price? I only have 1 key and don't want to pay the stealer $25 a key for a couiple spares. I need a #9, does the place you ordered from have all vats keys?

 

yeah they have all the vats #s. heres a link to the #9 key u need http://clksupplies.com/shop/product_...roducts_id=176

 

the CLK keys are junk, after about a month i had the same problem, security light was on, and no crank. i tested the key and the resistance had changed and the pellet was loose. i got the other key and it started first turn, so i thought maybe it was just a bad key but happened to the second key also. So BUY GM....