Im Sure im not one of the first people to have wanted/have done this but i want to bypass my VATS, Its nothing but a pain for me and for what ever reason my steering calum enjoys snipping/pinching the wires that run inside of it.Iv done some research and i know what my resistance is but when i go to radioshack and ask for the resistor with the correct resistance i have no luck because they have no idea one i need any assistance would be great.Thanks

 

if they dont have the right size, you can combine different ones in line, as long as they add up to the correct resistance. i did the bypass before i tore out the stock engine. i had a big pack of circuit board style resistors laying around, so i just figured out what combo would give the the correct resistance. i wound up using 3 of um.

 

i dont know what research youve done to figure out how much resistance you need, but to be sure you should take an ohm meter to your key.

 

ok maybe i need to be a bit more specific i used a multi meter i got a resistance of .523 witch is VATS#2 now when i go into radioshack and look at the resistors they all say like different Ohm's For Example (10k-Ohm 1/2 watt-5% tolerance) i just don't quiet under stand the difference or how .523 transitions into all that information

 

using your example:
10k-ohm is the value of resistance. 10,000 ohms
1/2 watt is the amount of electricity it can handle, a 1/2 watt resistor will work fine.
resistors arent exact. the tolerance is how close to the advertised rating it will be. a 1000 ohm resistor with a 5% tolerance will read anywhere from 950 ohms to 1050 ohms.

you got a reading of .523, which is 523 ohms.you would need to find a correct combination of resistors that would give you 523 ohms. the vats system was designed to have a tolerance in it itself, so you dont need exactly 523 ohms of resistance in the circuit to work. it will work with anywhere between 502-564 ohms. just make sure you measure your resistors after theyre wired together to be sure that fall in the range.

 

You've already determined yours is #2.....


And the wiring under the dash.......


And the required resistor(s) inserted......

 

Forget radio shack go to a place that installs car alarms/remote starters and such and tell them you need a VATS pack it will have all of the 15 different resistors you could need. If you can't get one from a shop. Try searching google for a Vats Bypass Kit should only run you $5 or less.

 

can anyone tell me where the actual VATS module is located in my 89 camaro rs? ive tried a million things the get this car to start but it wont bc the injectors wont fire. got it down to the VATS module not sending an enable fuel signal and i need to replace the module so help would be great thank you. i cant just do a simple bypass with a resistor bc the module itself is the problem

 

Removed reply because it no longer applies.

 

Removed reply because it no longer applies.

 

i found this. maybe itll help

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...ss-module.html

 

VATS computer module is either bolted to the ducting behind the heater controls, under the dash on the pass side, or it's towards the front of the fuse panel (firewall side of the panel, front of the car), depending on the year and the car. A 10K potentiometer isn't big enough for the higher codes, but will work for code #2.

I don't exactly remember how I made my VATS "key", but it's code 2, and I made it removable using a RadioShack male and female 2-way connector, extending the wires down under the console, and soldered the resistors (2 of them since I didn't know about the VATS pack) to a PCB along with the male connector. Until I got the 02 console, I had the female connector slotted into where the ashtray used to be in my factory console. Pull the "key", car don't start. Kind of ugly, but it was necessary to run the newer engine control system.

 

I am also looking to bypass my VATS system. Does putting in an inline resistor completely bypass the VATS system. What if the module is bad, will the resistor help?

Also, probably a dumb question but if I put a resistor in line do I need to use blank key? I wasn't sure if using my vats key with the resistor would add the two resistance values together.

 

The resistor trick will only work if the Module is still good.

And you'll probably end up either knocking out the resistor (but then your key looks kinda funny with the hole in it) or get a "normal" key cut. But.....Since the wires are unplugged under the dash, it won't be reading the key anymore at all, so it really won't care if there is a resistor in the key or not. It won't be seeing/reading it.

 

Okay that makes sense. Thanks for the reply. By the way, is there any way to test the VATS module? I'm having a stalling problem with my car and trying to run through all of the possibilities.

 

2 things....

An 88 3rd gen won't have VATS and VATS only affects the starting (disables the starter circuit), not once it is running.

 

After you have done the Vats bypass and you think the resistor is on the mark. I would think that if the car doesnt start it would be a indicator the Vats module is bad. I'm sure that there are better ways of testing but I don't know them.

 

Awesome! Thank you very much. Eliminated a major headache in 10secs worth of work. The easiest fix I done so far. Thanks again and Stephen thanks for the pic!!!

Btw I have resisitors left over. I bought the whole bypass pack and only used #6, so if anyone here needs one lemme know , of course for free...

 

Did you just wedge the resistor in? I was reading VATS article and it said to solder it after cutting a wire.

 

I wedged mine in, it's a tight fit so no worries about it falling out. Easily removable if you have to also.

 

Wedging the leads in works just fine.

No VATS in 87, like my 87 GTA. I just keep those pics around to share, because this question keeps coming up.

 

I have Key 9 (3,010) and could only find 3.3 k-Ohm with 5% tolerance 1/2 watt. Considering 5% would make it 3135-3465 ohms and the tolerance for the key is 2890-3150 ohms, it should work right?

 

"Should" is the key word. Since the VATS Module is not for EXACTLY a specific value, the overlapping tolerance should allow it to function. Just a few bucks if you hafta buy a bundle for that 1 value, so cheap to test & won't hurt anything. Maybe you can find just one at a repair shop?

 

Didn't work, just going to look around for a 3 k-Ohm resistor somewhere else. Radioshack had a million different sizes but not 3 k.

 

You can combine smaller values to reach what your looking for.

 

I bought the pack and only used #6, if you have #9 i can send it to you (of course for free) :-) Lemme know if you are interested

 

http://www.gdielectronics.com/652t.html

Worth it?


And to make sure, Stephen, all I'd need to do if I were to wedge it in like you did is just make sure each end of the resistor is making contact with both metal terminals on the plug (white wires) and leave it plugged in? I wouldn't even have to disconnect anything would I?

edit: wouldn't you have to unplug the connector with the orange wires and put the resistor in the opposite plug to get the same effect? I'm not understanding where you WOULD solder it if you were to do so.

 

just wanted to say thanks for this post ..just bypassed my car because it wouldnt starting due to vats problems ..read this post went to radio shack and for $1.19 fixed it ..thanks im super stoked she starts every time now

 

I'm looking at a 5 pack of Radio Shack resisters. On the front just above where the 1/2watt 5% tolerance is stamped , in bold red letters/numbers it says "680-Ohm".
Thats what your looking for.My resistance is rated at 681. You can be off the mark by a certain degree and it will still work. I had to use this style because the way I had it set up would give me trouble at times. I'm going to edit my previous replies in this thread .

 

Thank you to whoever posted the key code with the resistor numbers , 89 camaro wudnt start one day replaced starter no dice, came on here did some research and found the key number 9 numbers, bought some resistors , since key # 9 has a resistor value of 3010, i tried two 1.5 resistors soldered together , no luck , thankfully i also bought a package of 3.3 resistors pinched one into the harness under the dash as shown in the pics fires up everytime , once again thank you

 

Yea I do please help me out