Hello Everyone, wasn't sure where to post this thread. I am having issues with VATS. It has good days and bad. On a bad one the security will stop my IROC from starting 3-4 times a day. I will have to wait 3 minutes for it to clear and then it will start right up. I do not know much about VATS except that they made about 25 different carbon chips for the key and I am not sure which one I have. I know that it takes 3 minutes to reset and that is about all I know. I have no idea where the VATS module is located and I do not know the steps to troubleshoot the system. I know you can bypass VATS using a resistor on the wiring. How many of you think VATS is a good thing or a bad thing? Is VATS very reliable at keeping the car from being stolen? Or is it easily bypassed. I have only really heard of third gens having VATS but I guess a lot of other GM models of that time period came with them as well. Any info on how to troubleshoot my problem would be greatly appreciated and thank you all for taking the time to read my thread.

 

Start reading
https://www.thirdgen.org/vats_passkey_system

Typically a dirty/ worn resistor pellet on the key or the same for the contacts in the Ign cylinder that read that resistor pellet.
Clean key , clean the contacts in the Ign cyl , try a 2nd key , buy a new key (with correct resistance )

A working VATS is very hard to bypass FAST; if you are in the habit of leaving your car in dark alleys for days at a time then a reasonable thief
would be able to get it going

But they are not going to wack a screwdriver in the Ign and drive off like done in the movies

 

Vassago, here's a thread i brought back from the dead when i did a google search, tells you how to completely remove it,https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...emoval-no.html

 

Given he only appears to have the very common , easily fixed key reading problem much better to fix it than delete it.
Bypassing is justified when you have bigger , more expensive VATS problems like a module failure

 

Fixed my VATS problem, one of the lock cylinder wires was slowly breaking and losing contact until it eventually broke inside the insulation. Measured the ohm reading of the pellet on my key and ordered a new one off ebay for $12 and bought a new lock cylinder at the auto store for $42. I bypassed VATS with two resistors soldered together just to get the car running again until my new lock cylinder came in. Got my new key in the mail and had it cut at Ace hardware for .99 cents. swapped out the old lock cylinder with the new and kept the 2 resistor solder connection in my toolbox in case of any similar VATS problems in the future.

 

Exactly how do you bypass vats ? I got under the dash and cut the orange wire, I bought the resistors but this is where I get stuck. Could you please help me get back on the road

 

Shouldn't have to cut any wires ; just unplug the connector
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...153-post6.html

The resistors go on the two wires from the dash harness ; not the two going up the column to the Ign switch

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...146-post2.html

Do a search ; 101 threads on VATS delete

 

I just installed a bypass module in my car and it works great I got the module from http://www.bakerelectronix.com/products_vats/ and hooked it up. I lost the chip in my key and wouldn't run for more than a couple seconds. All I needed was some basic electric equipment.

 

That is not a VATS bypass , it is a fuel signal enable generator that takes VATS completely out of the equation.

A "VATS bypass " only fools the module into thinking the correct key is being used
With your device you still have to delete the starter enable relay in order to completely remove VATS from the vehicle

 

I got under the dash and cut the skinny yellow wires on the ignition lock cylinder side of the connection. You have 2 small yellow wires that go to a connection, and on the other side of the connection it should be a purple wire with white stripe and a white whire with black stripe. Those are the wires that go to the vats module. I would leave those alone. Cut the yellow wires with black insulation for non airbag equipped camaros and the white wires with orange insulation for the airbag equipped camaros. I soldered the resistors together in a V shape and then soldered each of the yellow wires to each end of the resistors. and plugged it back in. That will trick vats into thinking the correct key is in the ignition at all times, no more having to wait for your car to start. That is just a quick fix to get your third gen running again. If I were you I would do the quick fix and then order a new lock cylinder and order a new key with the chip. I don't know about you but I feel alot better when vats is working properly than to trick it and then have your car vulnerable to theft.