Something other than VATS
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 10
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From: Kansas
Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 5.0 TBI
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 ugh..
Something other than VATS
I hope I have this in the right forum, considering.
Anyhow.. So VATS is the biggest pain in my rear I’ve ever had with this car. (My check engine light and brake light comes on, but no security light at all, ever... might just be the bulb blown I suppose)
I’m thinking I have another problem in addition to VATS though. I’ve recently done the resistor pellet bypass and while I believe I did that correctly I’m just going to build the pulse box and eliminate that from the equation completely.
However, this new development I’ve been having is when I turn the key to on in prep to actually start, my dash gauges all adjust like they should, the check engine and brake lights come on and I’m ready to go. However when I go ahead and engage the switch nothing happens. (Which brought me to VATS or neutral safety to start with; key switch (new), ignition switch at base of column (new replacement), NSS (new replacement), and VATS issues have all been addressed at one point or another over the last couple years) Now after I release, my dash goes dead. No headlight operation, radio... Nothing. As if I unplugged the battery. I can actually go and unplug the battery and it reset something after several minutes, things go back to normal, but what would be causing this?
Any suggestions as to where I should be looking for a short or whatever is malfunctioning? Thanks in advance!
(All original 1991 ‘Bird, 305 TBI, A/T.)
Anyhow.. So VATS is the biggest pain in my rear I’ve ever had with this car. (My check engine light and brake light comes on, but no security light at all, ever... might just be the bulb blown I suppose)
I’m thinking I have another problem in addition to VATS though. I’ve recently done the resistor pellet bypass and while I believe I did that correctly I’m just going to build the pulse box and eliminate that from the equation completely.
However, this new development I’ve been having is when I turn the key to on in prep to actually start, my dash gauges all adjust like they should, the check engine and brake lights come on and I’m ready to go. However when I go ahead and engage the switch nothing happens. (Which brought me to VATS or neutral safety to start with; key switch (new), ignition switch at base of column (new replacement), NSS (new replacement), and VATS issues have all been addressed at one point or another over the last couple years) Now after I release, my dash goes dead. No headlight operation, radio... Nothing. As if I unplugged the battery. I can actually go and unplug the battery and it reset something after several minutes, things go back to normal, but what would be causing this?
Any suggestions as to where I should be looking for a short or whatever is malfunctioning? Thanks in advance!
(All original 1991 ‘Bird, 305 TBI, A/T.)
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 15
Car: 1973 Datsun 240Z/ 1985 S-15 Jimmy
Engine: Turbo LX9/To be decided
Transmission: 5-speed/T-5
Axle/Gears: R200 3.90/7.5" 3.73
Re: Something other than VATS
There will be a loose or corroded connection, at the battery, starter and/or chassis grounds, as the most likely possibilities.
Less likely, but still possible is corrosion in the main driver side firewall feed-through.
Less likely, but still possible is corrosion in the main driver side firewall feed-through.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 5.0 TBI
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 ugh..
Re: Something other than VATS
Battery is good, but haven't been able to get to starter/solenoid as of yet. (It's kinda settled into the ground)
"There will be a loose or corroded connection, at the battery, starter and/or chassis grounds, as the most likely possibilities."
Oddly enough I did notice the main positive cable had been resting on the A/C support bar, and somehow was melted through and a bit corroded. Will definitely check out the firewall feed through as well. Thanks!
Will update when I can get back to the car.
"There will be a loose or corroded connection, at the battery, starter and/or chassis grounds, as the most likely possibilities."
Oddly enough I did notice the main positive cable had been resting on the A/C support bar, and somehow was melted through and a bit corroded. Will definitely check out the firewall feed through as well. Thanks!
Will update when I can get back to the car.
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