i got gas at the gas station. went to restart car, it wouldnt start. with the key in the run position the "security" light will stay lit. does this mean that i have a failure of the vats system. now my car is at the gas station with a no start condition. i dont really want to have it towed, towing is expensive. right now i just want to get it home. some history... the starter was replaced with a remanufactured unit last year, i would be pissed if it failed that quickly. the car is a 1989 camaro RS with a 350 swap. all stock electronics, tbi powered 350. any ideas? is it vats failure or is it the starter? im hoping i can just get the proper resistance resistor and start this car up so i can drive it home

 

Sounds like VATS to me - try the resistor trick.

 

some more information...
i ohmed the wires coming out of the key-switch. no resistance, which tells me the wire is probably broken. it appears that i have a 460 ohm on 1 key and 456 ohm on my spare key. im pretty sure this is the problem and that im going to have to make a trip to radioshack tomorrow. i really GM would have used a better setup. this is a real pain in the behind.

 

does the vats disable the fuel pump? it must not because i could hear the fuel pump kick on but no cranking

 

No it disables the injectors and starter.

 

problem fixed. i used a 4.7k ohm and a 47 ohm resistor. i bought a cordless battery operated soldering iron and did the repair right in the parking lot. all i have to say is that its one stupid design. GM should have used better wires or designed in the different way as to not cause this. i could see this stranding many drivers that dont know how to fix it themselves forcing them to get a tow and an expensive repair.

 

Im having the same problem out of my 89 gta. I tried everything like you did except mines still wont start. I also replaced the vats relay and still no start. WTH!!! I just put $1500 into the car (fuel tank,sending unit, fuel pump,fuel filter, all NEW a/c parts and tires) within the last month and for this to happen!!!!! HELP......

1. Resistor on key read 2.37.
2. Used a 220 ohm + 2.2k ohm resistor= 2.39 ohm.
3. Found and cut the two yellow wires coming out the black sleeve from the steering column.
4. twisted to test (not soldered) the wires to each end of the resistors.
5. Put key into ignition and turned.....NO START!!!! (check engine light and security light on, then the security light goes off)
6. Replaced the VATS relay by driver side kick panel.
7. Repeated steps 1-7 again.... still NO START!!!!!!

Guys what am I forgetting or doing wrong?

 

ad356 the VATS system only needs to be + or - 10%
your first resistor is in that range.. did you twist them parallel or series

 

if by parallel u mean side by side then yes thats how i twisted them.

 

they need to be twisted in series straight line or the value will not be correct not even close

 

I know im not a dumb a$$ lol but i think thats how I have them running... exp: wire..2.2k ohm resistor..wire..twist...wire..220 ohm resistor..wire in a straight line. Im not a guru with the correct naming (parrallel/series). but is that correct

 

hmmm no one said you were sounds like you have this covered..... have fun

 

lol thanks bro ...I was joking about the dumb a$$ part :0) but thanks for your help.

 

Im having a similar prob. my car either wont start ( but will crank), or after start will shutdown on acceleration (very suddenly...like turning the key off). Was told it was in securtiy system. bought a relay to bypasss security system...same prob. Any help is appreciated.

 

Try disconnecting the Tachometer wire from the coil and see if it still runs. It maybe grounded somewhere in the wiring. I had this issue with the car when i first got it. After a new Ecu, Distributor, Ignition module, plugs and wires, and coil: this was discovered as the culprit after I forgot to hook it back up after installing the new coil. I just left it unplugged and the car runs fine. But im in the process of rerouting the wire through the firewall to get my tach working again. Goodluck

 

and by "It" i mean the tach wire.