just bought a new Vats ignition cylinder, my current one is worn down quite a bit, has anyone done this swap out and NOT bypassed vats? am i supposed to take the original keys with me to get a new key for the new cylinder? and yes the new cylinder came with the "code" key

 

IIRC, the vats keys are special ordered based on your cars VIN # and used to be about $35 a pop. But I haven't gotten one done since around 2000 so I may have gotten that wrong and/or the price may have gone up or down. Just call the dealership or whoever you're taking it to and ask them what you need to bring.

Mathius

 

but i also need to take the "code" key in too don't i? the one that came with the cylinder?

 

You can get repro blank vats keys on ebay, but you'll need to know which number key resistance you have. Then, just take it to a locksmith and have it cut like a normal key.

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/__?_from...ts+key&_sacat=

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/vats_passkey_system


just take a multimeter and ohm your key. then guy a key wherever you find it for the best price.

 

Or do what i did in my bonneville, put a resistor in the ignition wiring itself so that the one in the key doesn't do anything. thats what i did and its good as new. but ya the keys are expensive, and by doing it this way it cost me $5 for a resistor instead of $100 for a new ignition.

 

A friend of mine had to replace his door and ign key a few months ago in his 92 Camaro. For both keys it cost him 36 dollars and he had them in a few minutes. Just head up to the dealership. They should have the keys in stock and can cut them right there. Just make sure to bring as much proof of ownership as possible. I'm not sure what you need exactly, but having the registration card and a state photo ID should be enough. You could also bring your title just to be sure.

 

i need to get a new key. have to sit there and wait til the security light turns off for it to start. catches you at bad times.

 

there are two ways to go.
first, you can change the vats plug in next to the fuse box by your left foot. that is what your key must match. it gets a signal from the ecm that says - your a vats do your job - is that the right key? the vats module sends a signal to the key and asks for its resistence and the key resistor sends back its signal and if they are the same you get a go. if not you get the light and cant do anything for 4 minutes. im surprised that it starts even then.
or you can change the tumblers in the new key cylinder to match your old key, which will have the right resistence on the chip. just take the cylinder to a lock smith and ask him to change the tumblers inside to match your old vats key.
or take your new key to chevy and ask them for the vats module to match the key.
and yes they are still 35.00 - i just bought one from chevy 4 months ago.
hope that helps.

 

It's actually 3 minutes. When i had my old key, it sometimes wouldn't work. I've sat in my car with the stopwatch on my phone waiting for 3 minutes to go by quite a few times.

And yea, it does always get you at the worst times. One of the worst was when I was getting back into my car from a store. There was one of those "Have you found Jesus?" people walking around the parking lot talking to people. She started walking up to my car and I tried to start the car to get away lol. But no... VATS decided to not work. It was the longest 3 minutes of my life.

 

Yeah the best way is to take the existing key to the dealer so they can use it to make the new replacement, but first order the new blank key (with the correct number VATS code that the cylinder tells you).

I had to replace my key but had no idea what the vats code on it was. They have this cool 'VATS Interrogator' box where you stick the key in and it tells you the code on it. very cool.