Ok, i have a serious problem, my car wont start. It gave no warning sign, and im tracing the path through the electrical components. Ive come to the safety key module and i have no idea where it is at in my car, its a 1992 camaro rs and if anyone knows where please help me locate it.
Please and thank you!

 

are you talking about the VATS key ??

 

I second the question.

Also, does the starter not turn over or does the engine fail to fire?

Lou

 

You turn the key and nothing happens, no power change/noises/clicks or turning over, and its the pass key decoder module. My service manual tells me to locate it and check some stuff with it and i cannot find the module anywhere

 

Manuals say lots of crazy things.

By "no power" you mean not even gauges? That would not point to the VATS module, which is btw burried inside the dash and it takes a good weekend to get to it.

There are several great troubleshooting procedures for a no-start condition but the main thing is to know which one to apply.
If your ignition key doesn't even light up gauges, you have power issues.
I'd check fuses and fusible links.

If gauges work but the car doesn't crank, you can troubleshoot the starting circuitry (including VATS interconnection). http://www.austinthirdgen.org/index.php?pid=38

Let us know what you find, we can take it from there.
Lou

 

ok, what i mean by no power is like, usually when you try starting it, lights would dim when you tried to start the car. the cars power is fine because you can turn the key, listen to music, use windows, etc. :/
Do you by chance know where at in the dash the module is?

 

the vats module is located by your left foot near the fuse box.
it can also be the key reader.
did you smell a little puff of smoke the first time it did not start or the last time you turned it off?
if everything is dead you might have blown a fuseable link.

 

Thats the thing, nothing abnormal happened, it was really odd.
Thank you.
please tell me more ideas if anyone else has any, im open and trying anything at this point

 

did you check the fusible links?

 

I havnt yet but since you suggested it i will. I havnt had a chance today due to working all day

 

Since the ignition key turns on the radio and other accessories, we can rule out fusible links (the same link supplies power for the starter circuit).

Did you see the link to the starter troubleshooting article I posted above? That would help you find your problem very quickly with just a simple test light (or voltmeter).

Btw Tony, the VATS box is in the dash, deep inside, practically by the firewall, inaccessible under normal circumstances.
What you are probably thinking of is the Starter Enable Relay.
It's the second time you mentioned that and it's incorrect. Please try not no confuse other members.
Nothing personal, just trying to keep confusion out.

Lou

 

when i looked at it i had the entire cover off that side of the car - by your left foot was just a general area - so he would get the idea. but thanks for being more specific - sometimes i am too general. i will fix that.
and in my 90 camaro i have 7 fuseable links in different places. here is the page for it in the original elect manual. look in a-c/ 2-3.
but you are right as to where the block is.
from now on i will post this pic too.
hope he figures it out.

 

Yeah, I've seen that diagram before, it's not exactly precise. The part in the A-pillar (#3 & #4) is the SE relay for sure. THe actual box is much bigger and hidden from easy reach (for obvious reasons).
I don't trust diagrams anymore (from Haynes, Seloc or GM for that matter), I go by my own experience and knowledge.

Lou

 

the pass key module is behinh the dash on the pass side near the heater core you have to pull the dash out alil to get to it it's stuffed up there pretty good

 

ohh, alright. And when you said it would be a weekend job looking for it? well heh i already have my dash torn apart lookin for it. So its by the heater core then?

 

funny i thought mine was on the left side - i have to do some work down therer in a few days and i will take a pic.
the drawing comes off 3rdgen tec info site.

 

oooh ok

 

 

If its a vats problem it should crank but not start ....? Vats doesnt kick in, till the car starts cranking and it measures the resistance in the key when its turned.

Sounds like a fuse or possibly corrosion on the starter wire bungs.

 

also a nice link on this site that will tell you pretty much everything on vats
https://www.thirdgen.org/vats_passkey_system

 

the guy who had my 91 rs 305 before me put an aftermarket ignishion key and now the security light come on sometimes and the car wont start. is that related to the passkey system and if so how do i bypass it any suggestions would help out thanks

 

To bypass vats, you have to hook up a meter and mesure the resistance of the key's carbon. Once you find this, its a matter of getting a resister and putting it inline properly.

Here is a sticky on this site https://www.thirdgen.org/vats

here is a link with pictures and more indepth thread
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/electronics/379446-bypassing-v-t-s.html