I have a 1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula, 305V8 Throttle body. I went to move it and got nothing, pulled a code 53 from computer system over voltage. I did alittle research and have a little knowledge about the VATS so I measured the resistance of my key and then the resistance of the wires with key in and get a good reading so it isn't the key or wires in steering clomum? But I have no idea where to even start to diagnosis this problem, I wasn't having any issues until I went to start and nothing. Any Ideas how to trouble shoot code 53 or if it has anything to do with my problem?

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...-i-bypass.html

 

I got one of these http://www.bakerelectronix.com/products_vats/ but I am not sure how to install it.

Also found yesterday that the battery may be bad, I am going to have it tested. Could this cause my code 53?

 

You should have your battery tested , but this could also be a alternator problem.

http://chevythunder.com/code_53_system_over_voltage.htm

 

> 1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula, 305V8 Throttle body.

If by this you mean TBI, that is a VATs malfunction, not an over voltage.

RBob.

 

According to the manual, code 53 is a charging system problem.

 

Yep it is a TBI (Throttle Body Injected), I had the battery tested and it was shot. I grab an alternator to be on the safe side (I'll have them test it when I take it back to get the core). I have a bypass module for the VATS but haven't figured out how to wire it.

Is the bypass module the same as the resistor trick? will I need to do anything else? I measured the resistance at the bottom of the steering column and it matches the key, so I'm assuming that the wires are not broke.

 

With the resistor value matching at both points, it looks like the VATs module died. Although, make sure that the fuse for it is OK, be a pain if it is nothing more then a popped fuse (ECM fuse).

Bypass module: their web site is useless. I was able to garner that it replaces the signal from the module to the ECM. So wire in the bypass module and run the output signal to pin B6 on the ECM.

It is likely a dark blue wire.

That will tell the ECM that it is OK to let the engine run.

To get the engine to crank need to pull off the driver sides kick panel. In there is the starter enable relay. Can splice together the two heavy gauge wires, or ground the relay coil wire to enable the relay. Two clicks from the home page here to the tech articles goes into more detail on this.

RBob.

 

That manual is incorrect. The TBI f-body ECM's don't have an over voltage malfunction code. The ECM will shut off the IAC driver and the q-drivers on an over voltage (> 17.1 volts), but no codes are set for it.

RBob.

 

I put the bypass module in today, and ground the start relay, and it fired right up, I took the alternator back and didn't waste my time to change it.

It was a blue wire at pin B6.

I think I am going to order another bypass module for my 1988 Trans AM GTA as well, I have reconnected the wire enough times. (I got the car for $1500 because the wire were broke and the car wouldn't start. pulled the steering wheel and taped the wires back together and it started)<--(but it was broken again 4 times and left me stranded so I think I will just bypass it)

Thanks for all the help...