I have a 1990 Camaro RS V6 3.1L. Since buying it, the security system would randomly turn on and I won't be able to crank my car for 2-30 minutes. Recently, it started occuring more often and for longer and longer periods of time. Then one day, the system locked and hasn't come off since. A mechanic put a different car's computer in, and the car started right up but idled real rough. But the security system came off.

What's going on here? I bought two replacement computers and still no luck. I know the Engine computers are pre-programmed, and may be read only, but how and what is making my security system lock on? And why is another car's computer able to let it crank?

 

is it an aftermarket secuirty system or the VATS system?

 

VATS. The original system.

 

could be the contacts in the column, or the VATS module going out. you can try the resistor bypass. that will tell you if its the module, or in the column.

 

What's and how do I do the resistor bypass? Ofcourse, disconnecting the pass key part didn't work. And where is the module and how is that fixed? I went to the chevrolet dealership and wasn't able to get any help. Also is it true that the engine computer isn't programmable? I just don't understand how another computer would crank it but not the right computer.

 

the module is buried in the dash, romving it requires taking the dash out of the car. the computer is programable with the correct parts. check out the prom board for info on that. as for the resistor bypass, you can do a search on here and get tons of threads exatly how to do it.

 

Ok thanks....and do you think a car stereo shop would know how to replace it?

 

And would it be possible to just remove the old system and install an aftermarket one?

 

stereo shop porbably wont be very familar with VATS. and the only way to completely remove it would be to have it programmed out of the dash or buy a VATS bypass box, and bypass the start enable relay

 

Many car stereo shops should be able to bypass it for you. they had to do them when installing remote start on these GM VATS cars....

No, you cant just remove it. it needs to be bypassed or programmed out of the computer.

 

VATS is old technology now, youll need to find someone whos been installing steroes for a while to find someone familiar with VATS. its also called PASSkey, incase you run accross someone calling it that on your search.

 

Well thanks for all the feedback. I've been to four different mechanics and none of these idiots have the common sense or tools to work on this simple problem. They harassed everything else on my car except the problem. By the way is it possible to buy a pre-programmed computer? Like I said another car's computer crunk my car up. Maybe I should by a pre-VATS gm computer to trick the car?

 

theres people in the tuning board that you can help you out with tuning out VATS. but just remember if you go that way, you need to bypass the start enable relay as well under the driverside kick panel.

 

There are 2 parts to the VATS system. the small box that reads the key and the programming in your cars computer.

Buying a pre Vats ECM wont fix your problem.

 

Hawks would sell the bypass kit right?

 

theres more than 2 parts. theres the resistor in the key, the contacts in the ignition switch, the wires from the column, the VATS module, the start enable relay and the VATS programming in the ECM. all of which can go bad/malfunction.

 

Well the search is on for someone with experience with VATS and the equipment to diagnose and program my year

 

hawks does sell the bypass kit, its like $60

 

the bypass kit wont help if the problem is in the ecm, but will bypass everything else in the system with the exception of the start enable relay

 

Well if another car's ECM let's it crank, we can narrow it down to what? The programming or the wrong reading from the resistor? The key is a little chewed up looking

 

you would have to start and the column and work your way through testing each piece to narrow the problem down.

 

Ok.