hello all first time posting im hoping to get some help on a problem im having with my 91 camaro's "VATS" from time to time more so when it has rained or is raining (for some reason) i put the key in the ignition and the security light comes on and the car wont start after waiting 20 mins or so the car will fire right up i have looked into getting a new lock cylinder and key from a dealer they want 280 to 300 dollars wich to me is rediculous is there a way to bypass this system at all? or do i have to bite the bullet and pay way to much to fix this problem? any options here like an aftermarket ignition or a bypass of some kind any help would be greatly appertiated.

 

Take down the underside dash cover on the driver side. Look on the right side of the wheel(key side) underneath and find the white wire running into the steering column with a BLACKBOX attached to it. Should be a two wires from it to wire harness. Cut out that box, but do it ONE WIRE AT A TIME other wise you will have to spend another 15 minutes of your life trying to remember wich wire connects to wich. Problem solved, however this is only temp. Since it only reads DIRECTLY from the key. If the key nub gets too low,you will have to go to GM to get a key (80 bucks or so).

 

cut out which box? im not a genious when it comes to automotive electronics?

 

You can't miss it cause there is only one like it under there and it's right on the column nearly. Actually,now that I remember it might be a white wire wrapped in a blackone. I remember I had to do some serious chopping because mine broke at the ignition lock cylinder (nice). The box is about a inch or so long and half as wide. It's pretty damn small but you'll know it when you see it...when you think you found it tug lightly and your tumbler should move a little.

 

Ummm, im not sure how good of an idea that is but ok.

 

im not cutting anything out judt yet =) still surfing sites to see what i can find out about my problem

 

get a jet vats elim module. easy to install with instructions then get a new ignition cylinder from an 87 camaro without vats so you do not have to pay so much when you loose a key.

 

do you have a link to this i cant seem to find it

 

goto summit and enter vats module in keyword section

 

You can do it yourself without the summit module, just measure the resistance in your key and get a resistor of the same value. The wiring for the ign cyl comes out of the column it is usually a orange covered pair of wires, there is a plug in the wires unplug, soldier in resistor and it will save you the 30.00.

 

You can also get it at AutoZone,but it's garbage and does little to nothing to fix the problem. Cutting it out is the easier way out without trying to rebuilt the damn system.

 

Bypass the key/cylinder resistor, or the VATS system?
To bypass the VATS disabled the VATS firmwire switch (so that the injectors are not disabled,) and permanently ground the starter remote relay coil. You can always waste a thief's time by installing a kill switch for the starter, injectors, and or fuel pump.

 

My buddy did something similar to his EF (80's honda hatch) when they broke into and pretty much destroyed the lock cylinder.
It was a pain in the *** but we got it done in about a day or two. As for vats either way you go without "totally" replacing it is gonna be questionable.

 

Best way in my opinion is to disable VATS in the ECM and place you own "custom" kill switch somewhere neat...I think at the neutral safety switch is better as it is later in the curcuit and most thieves wouldn't notice it...they keep fiddling with the starter enable relay trying to find the problem.