Ive been struggling with the whole vats issue lately.

Bought an 89 firebird with no keys.. but i still have my wrecked camaro with keys..

so i am wondering if the following would work.

Can i swap in my camaros computer and the ignition module and just use the key from my camaro on my bird?

Without having to go through the whole resistor process?

If i can it would be great news since i can just do that instead of wasting time and money.

 

Its not in the computer. There is a self contained VATS module. In my 91 Camaro it was under the dash pad behind the panel on the right side (about under the speaker).
The service manual for my 89 Camaro says the modules location for that one is behind the HVAC controls.
Change that module and your key cyclinder.

I'll have batteries for my camera later this evening so I can take a pic of the module so you know what to look for.

 

As promissed,
If the pic were not so blurry (either me, my camera or both suck at taking pictures) you could easily read "Pass Key" on the module.

 

Now I know why the name is MAD

To me, it would be a whole lot easier to go through the resistor test one by one until you found the right resistor - there's only 15. But I never replaced a VATS module before either. But I'd think it would be a real PITA to dig way up into the dash and find it and swap it out.

There are also electronic VATS module bypass units that can be wired in, I think they run about $50, and they don't need to know what the resistor was originally. Do an ebay search for VATS BYPASS and see what comes up.

Either way, you're still going to have to replace the key cylinder so you can have a functioning key.

 

Thanks for the reply guys.

@mad iroc, that pic should really help, thanks for posting it. So if i swap out the device in the picture with my camaros, and the ignition cylinder i should be good to go right? my camaros keys would work with my bird?

Is the removal and instal of the vats and simple plug in and out (after you dig for it of course)

I just thought the computer set the resistance that it required from the vats, so figured it would work if i swaped it.

@Camaronewbie i spent all of last night in the cold of my garage testing the resistors i had and none worked so im just frustrated with the whole thing.

 

Just swap the ignition lock cylinder, first and see if it works. There are on only 15 different key blanks. You might get lucky.

If you do deside to do the resitor, you can use a potentiometer, to figure on the right resistance. A 10K-Ohm will check all the the highest one. and just cut the wires white wires that are wraped in orenge on the steering wheel side of the black connector. Then you can hook up the Potentiometer, while you are not under the dash and just plug it in.

If you cut if off of a different steering column, then you can just figure out what resistance works, and then have a new key cut. Plug it up like it was from the factory and go.
https://www.thirdgen.org/vats_passkey_system

 

Did you wait 5 minutes minimum between resistor tests? If the VATS module gets the wrong resistor, it can take 5 minutes for the false key timer to reset.

I've got electric heaters, kerosene heaters, and propane heaters. A GARAGE is what I don't have! Wanna trade?

 

Lol i have 3 garages and no heater...it is really annoying working in the cold.

Well my friend and i disconnected the battery for 30 seconds after each resistor under the assumption that it may bypass the whole waiting time problem.

But regardless the whole resistor process seems odd to me, im still not 100% sure that im sticking the resistor in the right place and it just bugs me.

So thats why i decided to just swap out the vats shown in mad irocs pic. I hope it works because im gonna get it done this weekend.

 

Its that VATS module that sends its 5v signal to the ECM and a ground to the Starter Enable Relay.
The ket resisitance is programed into the module so your module with the key/cylinder should work.

Like I tell others,
Its not "Mad" as in angry