I was told by the dealer today that in order to have new keys made for my 91z28 that I must get the car to them so they can scan the compter for the resisitance value of the chip on the ignition key. I lost my keys and dont have spares. I do have the key codes though. Does anyone have a scanner I can use I assure you I will return or even send deposit to borrow one. Please help guys. I cant tow my car because it has no rear end or gas tank in it right now.

 

Can you remove the vats computer in the dash and take that in?

 

no it has to be in the car hooked up to the computer i already asked them that

 

I always thought that they could tell you the proper value by using your VIN? I could be wrong.

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1989 IROC-Z 5.7L
NOS 5151 150HP kit
ProBuilt 700R4, PI Vigilante 2800 stall lockup
Baer Brakes 12" Sport System

 

thats what i thought too but all i could out of my VIN was the key codes. they need the scanner to read the PCM

 

I think you misunderstood them. There is no "scanner" to read the resistance value. They use what is called a "VATS/PASSkey Interogator). It has all 15 vaules stored inside it w/a selector ****, and it hooks inline w/ the lock cylinder. Then the technician has to "trial and error" all 15 codes, unless he guesses the right one first. I usually get lucky and find it w/in the first five guesses, but there is no "magic scanner" that will pull the value. The VATS module is a basic module that lacks the ability to communicate Serial Data, so no scanner can communicate. It simply recieves an input and acts accordinly.

As for the VIN, you can get the key "code" (1-15) from the VIN, but the older the car, the less likely its available anymore. GM doesn't really care about cars once they are that old. But if its still available (I think '92s might still be), then you CAN get the correct key, and have it cut (providing the lock cylinder is origianl).

 

how many values doe the chip have. Will it be easier for me to just go to radio shack and get a bunch or resistors or somethig and gues at them and put them inline on the small plud on column. i was told there was only 15 values to the VATS keys

 

When I worked at the cadillac dealership my keys fell out in a customers car. When I relized it the customer had already picked up there car and left. It was a long shot but I gave them my vin# and they gave me the new keys. But my ign lock cylinder has been replaced so that didn't work. Although I can't remember if they gave me the VAT's codes. My car is a 89 Camaro and this happened about a year ago.

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89 Iroc 350 TPI,
Forged pistions
Comp roller Cam .510 lift 230dur
Flowmaster exhaust
Dart Iron Eagle heads 200cc runners 64cc chambers
MINI RAM SOON!!!!!
stock TPI for now 24# inj
87 Trans Am GTA 350 TPI
had engine fire
SHE NOW RUNS!!!! GREAT!!
Flowmaster exhaust
LT1 Injectors

 

Is it possible just to buy a new VATS and set off keys???

 

You can buy a new VATS module, but be forewarned, they are NOT cheap,nor are they any fun to get to. It is buried in the dash.

If you were to get one, it would come "blank" and the first key you stuck in the lock cylinder and turned, would be the value permanently embedded in the VATS module.

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