Cascade Crew

90RSrocks · Last edited by 90RSrocks on Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:57 pm; edited 1 time in total

The resistor pellet came out of my only ignition key and disappeared. I can spend a fortune getting a locksmith to figure out which key I need then make one, or I can disable the VATS system by running a resistor between the wires to fool the system for a couple bucks. Easy choice.

I know all the possible Ohms I need, but I need to know if I should get 1/4, 1/2 or 1 watt resistors. Judging by their size, it looks like the 1/2 watt ones are the same as the old pellet in my key, but I thought I better ask someone who has already done this.

Camaro350Z28 · Member Joined: 06 Mar 2004 Posts: 237

i would just go and get a new key from GM... it actually doesnt run that much.. i believe they told me about $40... that was at curt warner chevrolet in vancouver

90RSrocks · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:56 pm Post subject:

I'd love to do that, but as I said, I don't have the resistor pellet so I don't know which one I need. It costs alot to have a locksmith come out and test to see which one it takes (I was quoted $100 for the service call and $25 for the key). I called a couple dealerships and they don't have VATS info on file for my car. Sad

CheezX · Member Joined: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 90

That's weird, they should be able to do it just from your VIN. I don't think they'll give it out over the phone though, that would be too easy.

If you really get stuck just get one of the guys down there to burn you a chip with VATS disabled. You have the exact same ECM as the 90-92 TPI V8s. Wiring harness is pretty close too, in fact, you should just swap in a V8, lol!

ET phone hoME · Member Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 237 Location: Oregon

they cant take it from your vin. i see 2 solutions

a. remove barrel from steering column, get all 9 vat keys from locksmith (non-cut, make sure you can return them) proceed to test each key in the barrel and turn on the car with a socket screwdriver. then take the right key in and get it cut and return the others. i think they are $25 us each.

b. google for vat resistor values and buy all of them for $.05 us each and wire one in at a time untill you figure out which it is. if you ever plan to sell the car again i would go with option A

90RSrocks · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 11:08 am Post subject:

Cheezy, I tried a couple dealers and they both said they have info for newer models but not from '90. Also, I wish I could drop a V8 in there, but I probably wouldn't be able to get tags for it ever again.

ET, I thought about doing that, but I don't know if I can find a locksmith that would let me borrow them so I can see which one is correct. There are 15 keys for VATS. I suppose I could temporarily "buy" them and then return all but the correct one, but I don't want to lay out 15 x $25 if I can avoid it.

I already bought a complete set of 1/2 Watt resistors of the correct Ohms and tried wiring every one of them in, but still nothing. I wish I knew if it needs the 1/4 Watt resistors or what.
Confused

CheezX · Member Joined: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 90

Bleh, I don't know what crack those GM dealers are smoking. My Firebird is a '90 and the parts guy can cut me a key anytime, ignition or door (although that doesn't matter since my locks appear to have been changed).

Resistor wattage shouldn't matter, those wires are tiny. you do have to wait a time period between trying the different resistors though. If it sees the wrong resistance it'll disabled itself for a few minutes. I read on TGO a while back that a guy was able to get it working by ground one of the VATS wires. Seems too easy though.

90RSrocks · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 6:57 pm Post subject:

Yeah that does sound too easy. Maybe I'll give it a try though, can't hurt. I didn't realize that wattage wouldn't matter, that makes it simpler. I was disconnecting the battery between tries and only waiting a minute or so. Could Vats still be in disable mode even after disconnecting the battery for a minute?

If so, maybe that's the problem. I would have to just be patient and wait 5 minutes or so between tests.

CheezX · Member Joined: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 90

I know the airbag module has its own backup reserve of electricity, maybe VATS is similar. The service manual would tell you everything you need to know.

90RSrocks · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 12:19 am Post subject:

It sure would, I gotta get one of those next time I see one on eBay or somewhere.

ET phone hoME · Member Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 237 Location: Oregon

you could 'buy' like 3 keys at once, then return them, and try again.

CheezX · Member Joined: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 90

I think I remember the GM dealer here having some VATS device that plugs into your car and figures out which resistance you need. Something that may help.