How to Bypass your VATS

[bobbyd]

orion, so if i get these resisters will i be ok? http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062326

[0rion]

so if I buy these resistors will it work? http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062327
i will try it with one and if not ill use 2 of them in parallel?

yeah, those will work but you want them in a series and not parallel. Get it as close to the mean number as you can so you don't have an intermittent problem with it. Just use 2 and be done with it. good luck and keep us updated on how it goes.

[bobbyd]

by bypassing the vats will that make it easier to get a remote start alarm? or will i still need the module to bypass it?

[0rion]

hopefully someone that knows for sure will chime in but my opinion is that once it's bypassed you'll be able to hook the remote start up with no problems. You're essentially giving that system a pass all the time. I could be completely off base on that but that makes sense to me.

[SandmanWs7]

hopefully someone that knows for sure will chime in but my opinion is that once it's bypassed you'll be able to hook the remote start up with no problems. You're essentially giving that system a pass all the time. I could be completely off base on that but that makes sense to me.

You are correct. By bypassing it you can hook up a remote start.

[shadowsnkx]

Orion is correct. once you bypass vats the remote start will work fine. Just make sure you find the right wire to wake the BCM up or you will have to remote start the car to unlock the doors....been there

[bobbyd]

sweet thanks guys i almost got one last time but then they were like oh since u have that type of car u need to get a module an it was like 200 more i was like f that

[bobbyd]

Orion is correct. once you bypass vats the remote start will work fine. Just make sure you find the right wire to wake the BCM up or you will have to remote start the car to unlock the doors....been there

so besides the vats bypass i have to do something else with a wire that goes to the bcm?

[roadrunner440]

I have been asked many times how to bypass the VATS. I have posted on another thread that if you run into this problem that you could send me a PM. But instead of replying to ALL those who have this problem, I have decided to do a write up.

So if a MOD would do me/us the favor of making this a sticky here, or in the proper section, that would be great.


I decided to do it this way because I did not want to cut my VATS system. I just wanted to be able to use my car till I got it fixed. I did fix the problem the correct way later. Which is by buying a new ignition cylinder and having it installed. BUT that is a $300.00 fix at the stealership. I was lucky to have a friend install mine for free.


So lets begin......

1. You need to know what resistance your key has before you even begin. Your f body has 1 of 15 keys that operate your car. It is up to YOU to find out which of the 15 it is. The best way to do this yourself is to use an ohm reader and measure your key. I would recomend testing both keys (if you have both sets) to get an accurate reading. To use the ohm reader to test your key, place the readers (one should be red and the other black) on the metal chips of your key. See picture. Your ohm reader will give you a measurement. Write this down. Do the same with the other key, and write it down. If both keys are good, you should get the same reading twice. If they are different then you will need to buy two resistors, one for each key. You will have to try the bypass twice to figure out which resistor will work for you. The part you are trying to measure is the small metal piece in the black oval.


2. Once you have the measurement go get your resistor. Price should be under 25 cents. Here are some sample resistors. Yours may be of a different color, so don't think that since yours doesn't look like this, that it is wrong. Mine was blue in color.


Then fold the wire like this...


3. Now time to go to your car. You will need to remove the bottom dash cover. It is held with two plastic clips and two screws (phillis head I believe). The plastic clips look like this.
and this..
And are located by your OBDII plug and above your E Brake. The two screw that hold it in place are further back.


4. Disconnect your trunk release switch. This makes it easier to do what is needed in the next steps. Like this you can pull the cover off and set it in the back seat, out of the way.


5. Now locate your wire harness that controls the VATS. It should have two wires. On set of wires has two white wires, the other side has one purple with a white line and the other one is white with a black line.


6. Disconnect the harness.


7. Insert your resistor thru the back side of the purple/white wire and white/black wire. There is no right or wrong way to put the resistor in. Just as long as you put one wire in each side. It should go ALL the way in. You want to be sure that the resistor touches the the wire inside.


8.At this pioint you are basically done. Go ahead and try to turn your car on. If your car does not start, pull the resistor out. Try to put the resistor in thru the front. Make sure that you can see that you are touching both metal pieces with the resistor. Try to start the vehicle now. If it does start, then you just need to keep trying to put the resistor in better from the back. I had to try putting in the resistor in three different times to finally get it in the right way. Sometimes it feels like it is in, but it is not. If you try it from the front and it wont start then you might have a key issue. New keys run around $60.00.

9. Once you have installed the resistor and your car did start. Use some electrical tape to keep it in place.


10. Tuck away the wires and connect your trunk release switch. Replace the dash cover with the two screws and the plastic clips.

Now you are done, so when ever you feel like spending the $300 or find someone to do the job for you cheaper you still have all the original wiring in place.

This can also be used to do the remote start on your car, IF you have an automatic. Alarm stores can do this for you but will charge you close to $100.00, I know, I asked.

This took me less than 30 minutes to do and all I spent was 8 cents on the resistor.

Hi there. I spent the money and put in a new GM cylinder lock with a new chip key. It still does not work. I did the test with the ohms on the key and the ohms on the end of the two white wires and they are different. What now?? I was thinking BCM but not after this test if it is correct. Any Ideas??

[roadrunner440]

Hey, I went thru the process of someone installing a new GM ignition switch and key. It still does not work. I might have to do this just to get it going. I did the resistor test to see if maybe it could be the BCM. If this test is correct then it is still something do do with the lock cylinder and key. What could they have screwed up??

[Cutlass]

The key could have a bad resistor. I've had that happen once. I measured the key resistance, built a resistor, and installed it only to have it not start. Found out a bit later the key was bad. Very weird, doesn't happen often.

[ADAM-00SS]

Mine finally took a crap on me today! Going to install the resistor tomorrow. Man, I hope this works. It's a bad feeling when your car doesn't start.

[0rion]

Mine finally took a crap on me today! Going to install the resistor tomorrow. Man, I hope this works. It's a bad feeling when your car doesn't start.

security light is on then? As long as your resistors match your key you should be golden.

[RaptorLS3]

Great job we need more guys like you here helping out!!!

[rick88]

Will this work even if the security light is not flashing on the dash. I had this problem about 6 months back and replaced the locking cylinder and it solved the problem but at the time the security light would flash. Now NOTHING happens when I turn the key. Just got a brand new battery and also tried jumping it.

[rick88]

^^edit: the security lights is completely off.

[0rion]

^^edit: the security lights is completely off.

what's the car do? It's highly unlikely that it's VATS causing your problem.

[rick88]

The red bulb on the dash flashes very rapidly and a clicking noise is coming from the glove compartment and that is it. When I turn the key the bulb goes out and nothing happens at all.

[rick88]

I dont understand how to find the right resistor. I have key 5 --- 1.13. OHM at 20k.

[rick88]

okay i tried the correct resistor and still no luck. anyone have any suggestions as to what it may be?