Lively

So I purchased my 89 RS and it has a push button to start thats wired straight to the starter. So i jave to turn the key to the on position to activate the pump and everything, the push down the button to start the car. I was told the VATS is bypassed bu i dont know....

My question is where do i start if i want to get it back to normal? I have no idea what to look for cause he must have done it cause something was broken....

Thanks!

Boom

Does the car start if you turn the key all the way? My car was wired up like you described. I removed the button and wired it back to normal. No vats on mine though.

Lively

No it won't start with key at all. Imma try something and if it works ill write up what I did incase this ever happens to someone else. In the meantime continue shooting ideas to me.

Boom

You should just need to move the "start" signal wire from the button back to the ignition switch. Then you can remove the button completely and the car should function as normal.

GeneralDisorder

iTrader: (1)

Hypothesis - someone bypassed the VATS starter enable relay using a the momentary switch because they didn't understand how to correctly bypass it. Rip out whatever they did and revert it back to stock. If the start enable relay is bad, missing, or isn't being triggered by the VATS module then bypass it with a jumper wire and a couple spade terminals.

GD

iansane

iTrader: (1)

Follow the wires for the momentary switch back to where there attach to the car. I agree it's probably to bypass the VATS starter relay.

Lively

It goes straight to the starter, and the other wire goes to a body ground. Question does the vats just disable the starter or does it also disable the fuel pump? Because if its hooked up the way it is then it makes sense and i can just throw a resistor in and rip out the switch and be done right?

iansane

iTrader: (1)

I don't see how if could go from ground to the switch and then the starter. The starter solenoid requires power to actuate it so power has to come from somewhere.

ULTM8Z

I never understood the point of putting a push button start on the car if you still have to put the key in the ignition. Why not just turn the damn key at that point?

Lively

Ill take a better look then.

People being to damn lazy to fix the actual problem so they take the easy or cheaper way out.

Lively

The wires go from the the switch right through the firewall... across the engine and straight down to the starter. Didnt lift the car to check but i can only assume it went right to the starter and dont know of any relays under the motor. However both wires go to the starter.

GeneralDisorder

iTrader: (1)

If the engine runs, then the ECM has already had VATS bypassed or it wouldn't fire the injectors.

The VATS relay wasn't properly bypassed by the sounds of it. Sounds like you can remove the push-button wiring and proceed with the proper VATS starter enable relay bypass.

GD

Lively

I hope youre right! who knows it may not even be a 89 ECM anymore, the previous owner had alot of mickey mouse stuff that ive been undoing. Now that radio shack is gone and with covid i cant just go buy a resistor kit, but i ordered amazon 1 day shipping so ill let you all know how it goes and hopefully rip out that hackjob.

GeneralDisorder

iTrader: (1)

You don't need any resistors to bypass the starter enable relay. You can just unplug it and stick a jumper wire with spade terminals on it into the relay connector (two largest wires).

GD

Lively

So theirs no need to trick the vats by making it think the keys in? The key will be in but he clipped the wired at the cylinder.

Lively

Great news that worked! One problem gone and another arises... this time to do with tail lights/instrument lights

GeneralDisorder

iTrader: (1)

Of course it did. People are all wet, squishy, bags of meat and guts and they all think alike. It was fairly easy to predict what some idiot had done to your wiring.

GD

ironwill

Take your time, and with the help of a factory shop manual, trace-out and restore all the factory wiring, one circuit at a time. Yes, it's a PITA to correct butchered wiring, but when the job is completed, you'll have a reliable vehicle that will be easy to trouble-shoot if/when another electrical issue appears at some point down the road.

Oh, the indignities to which some people subject 3rd gens. These cars are becoming increasingly rare, and knuckleheads with diagonal cutters and crimp connectors should get their hands smacked any time they get near a Firebird or IROC.