Hi Guy's,

I think I am having a problem with the vats system on a 91 RS. Sometimes the security light dosen't go out on the dash and I'm unable to start the car. If I wait an hour or so and then try again the light goes out and I'm able to start the car. The car has been doing it intermittently bust seems to be getting worse. I was going to just replace the vats module. Where is it located? Also is it a main dealer only part, I know my local Autozone doesn't have it.

I know when I bought the car two years ago it had an old vats module in the trunk.

Do I have to take any paperwork with me to the dealer, since its an anti theft I guess they need proof of ownership?

Thanks,

Alex

 

Just posted this reply to truegmann about the same problem




https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...id-i-find.html

 

more than likely the lock cylinder is going bad.
there are 2 very small wires that come out of the lock cylinder & run down through the steering column & come out under the dash, after a few years of use these wires break up near the lock cylinder. trying to repair the wires won't last long as the are flexed every time you turn the key.

if this is your problem, you can bypass this part by doing this,
https://www.thirdgen.org/vats

or you can replace the lock cylinder & get a new key cut.

if you choose the replace the lock cylinder, use a A/C Delco lock cylinder, the after market cylinders are junk & normally fail with in a few months.

there is more info on the VATS system here,
https://www.thirdgen.org/vats_passkey_system

 

Hi,

I followed your vats bypass article. I couldn't get the exact resistance value for my key ( mine is 523ohm). I got a 540 ohm which is within tollerance. I'm still getting the same problem though it is more intermittent now. At least now if I leave it for 5 minutes I try again and it starts. Phoned the local chevy dealers and they want $400 for the vats module.

Thanks,

Alex

 

the modules have always been pretty pricey, but at $400.00 they have doubled from the last time i replaced one.

if your module is going bad, there are some other ways around it besides a factory VATS module.
do you have a working after market alarm system?

 

Hi,

Yes I do so I'm not too concerned with bypassing the vats. I'll just run the starter interrupt thru the alarm.

I met you over at Erics when we had the tune up day. You got that vette firing up in his unit.

Alex

 

cool, something to think about, instead of buying a factory module, there is a module you can get & wire up with a relay controlled by your antitheft system so it shuts down the injectors if the alarm goes off.

yep, thats me. we have plans to do a chip without VATS for it tomorrow afternoon. afterwords i may drop by the car show he said was at Otto's at 6.

 

Yeah Eric likes Otto's. I'll be up in Dallas tomorrow, apparently there is a 3rd/4th gen camaro place having a clearout. You never know I might get lucky and find a vats module with key. Plus I'm looking for a speed density tpi setup for the vert.

Alex

 

good luck up there, i hope you find everything you need real cheap