Recently I acquired a 1989 RS. The person I bought it from switched out the steering column to an older style one without the coded key. So the Car will not run since it doesn't have the coded key. What are my options here? I asked if still had the steering column but of coarse he didnt. I would think I need to get the correct steering column put back in but the next issues is figuring out which code I need for the new key. I believe there are 50 different key codes. Any suggestions?

 

I believe there are far fewer keys than 50. IIRC, it is on the scale of 15 or so.
If you don't want to go to the lengths of fixing it and can live with a car that an inbred retard hillbilly can start with a screwdriver, I suggest you search for VATS bypass on this forum. You will find plenty of information on how to obtain a few resistors and test out which one you need to solder into your dash wires to make your car start and run again. Yup, it's that simple. Just do a quick search.

Hope this helps.
Lou

 

Would prefer to fix it the right way but thanks for the info none the less.

 

So yes, besides a steering 1989+ column, you will need to get a key cut at the dealership. They might not be smart enough to know what key has what resistance so bring an ohm-meter with you to find the one that matches the resistors that allow your car to start.

 

Shamelessly stolen from another thread I wrote this for yesterday:

Per the following images, use a solderless splice, a bit of wire and an eyelet terminal to ground black with yellow trace #625 in the first diagram, and dark blue #229 in the second to a good chassis ground. Chances are, there's a wire screwed to the floor or firewall near here anyway, use that. This will bypass VATS on both your starter and your fuel pump, as all it does is ground these circuits when the correct key pellet is inserted and the key is turned to start.

Full disclosure: I haven't done this yet, I'm going entirely on the diagrams to figure this out, but I'll be doing it on my car in a few days when I get my new steering column.

 

Careful, this is not entirely true. The fuel pump is NOT controlled by VATS.
What VATS controls is the SER (Starter Enable Relay) and the injectors.
The SER can be easily bypass the way you suggested. But the ECM requires a specific square-wave signal on the dark blue wire input to enable the injectors. Simply grounding that wire won't help.
VATS was a pretty useful and advanced system for its day and still prevents many auto thefts even nowadays.

Hope this clears up any confusion.
Lou

 

My bad, Lou. Thanks for the clarification. I'll have to revise my method. I think someone makes a module to wire in there, though, now that you mention that though.

 

No problem.
You are right, you can buy an aftermarket module to simulate the VATS box signal for the ECM. They are getting less expensive nowadays.
Another option is to burn an ECM chip with VATS disabled.

Lou

 

Found the module in case anyone is interested. WAY cheaper than a correct year column (I just spent $300 on a rebuilt one for my 91.)

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PRF-64024/?rtype=10

Looks like it likely installs at the location I indicated in the second picture, and shouldn't take more than a few minutes once you track down the wires it connects to.

 

Btw, it should be possible to find the VATS bypass box even cheaper, I swear I've seen them for around $30 now. $60 sounds pretty steep. Considering that they can't even describe it right (I don't actually expect more from Painless).
For clarity, the link is for a bypass BOX, not a "computer chip", as the description might make you think.

You are right, this should not take long to install, the instructions are pretty clear. If you have any more questions, you can always ask here.

Lou

 

1989? wow, it's pretty old. It's the year I was born
I don't even know what to suggest. Hope you find the solution you are satisfied with

 

Bypass box is the way out of this problem.