f_399 Posted April 15, 2005 Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 I tried starting the car awhile ago and nothing would happen. The radio and all will turn on, my radar reads 13-14volts which is about normal. theres no clicking sound at all but looked like the battery was working because everything was ok ten after 5 mins it turned on again! then after that incident the car became so random, sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesnt. so far its been ok the SECURITY light is now permanently on! Whats wrong? i had it checked and the battery was fully charged and the alternator was charging could it be the starter? HELP thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutlsp Posted April 15, 2005 Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 the chip in your key is going bad you need to A) get a new key at the stealership made for your car clean your key's chip's contacts i would try B first if it doesn't work you need a new key Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f_399 Posted April 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 i never thought about that gm open on saturdays? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutlsp Posted April 15, 2005 Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 some stealerships are some aren't just call around and ask Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f_399 Posted April 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 so how much longer will the key last? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutlsp Posted April 15, 2005 Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 there is no telling i would try to clean it off with a soft but durable cloth first :? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoTox8410 Posted April 16, 2005 Report Share Posted April 16, 2005 i have a 93 Z34 is there a "chip" going bad in it cuz mine will do the samething except without the security light Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutlsp Posted April 16, 2005 Report Share Posted April 16, 2005 the chip that is going bad in his car is part of the PASSKEY system his car has i have no clue about your car it could be as small as the ignition cylinder or as big as the starter :? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastSE2DR Posted April 16, 2005 Report Share Posted April 16, 2005 didnt they start putting the chipped key in 94gps and maybe cutlass's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscoStudd Posted April 16, 2005 Report Share Posted April 16, 2005 The "VATS" system (also called "PASSKey II") began in the W-Bodies in 1994 (except Lumina,) coinciding with the addition of airbags and the switchover to the "saginaw" style steering column. The 88-93 W-Bodies (and 94 Luminas) with the "square" steering column and the large ignition key do not have the VATS system. I have a write-up posted on how to bypass the system: http://www.likeabigdog.com/column/VATS.htm Usually what happens with these systems is the wires for the VATS reader break off from the ignition lock cylinder. My write-up shows you how to bypass the system without tearing into the steering column to replace the lock cylinder (that is, if you're afraid of tearing the column completely apart...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supreme_style21 Posted April 16, 2005 Report Share Posted April 16, 2005 i have a 93 Z34 is there a "chip" going bad in it cuz mine will do the samething except without the security light There is no chip in that car. 1994+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f_399 Posted April 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2005 so is it only the jey thats the problem. now that the security light is on i have no problems starting the car. could there be anything else broken besides the VATS key? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscoStudd Posted April 16, 2005 Report Share Posted April 16, 2005 I'd say go and have a duplicate made ASAP (either from the dealer or a locksmith) and see if the new key gives you the same problems. Read this document for a better understanding on how the system works. The "reader" inside the lock cylinder has 2 wires on it that run down inside the steering column. Sometimes they break off of the lock cylinder and cause the "no start" problem. Usually when this happens, there's no chance you'll get the car started. If you can start the car every once in a while, then your key is most likely worn out. Start with a new key, and go from there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f_399 Posted April 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2005 I left my car in a friends house. The car wouldnt start anymore. Its sunday so I cant do anything about it. Will go to GM first thing tom morning and buy a key, should this fix the problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscoStudd Posted April 17, 2005 Report Share Posted April 17, 2005 You haven't read the write-up yet have you? Well if you want to get it running tonight, READ THIS WRITE-UP 9 times out of 10, a new key will solve the problem, though. If it doesn't then follow these instructions. Here's that link again: http://www.likeabigdog.com/column/VATS.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f_399 Posted April 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2005 that sounds so complicated i dont have the tools and if i did i dont think i will be able to do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutlsp Posted April 17, 2005 Report Share Posted April 17, 2005 you can go to a good key cutting place that will read your old key's programing and transfer it to the one they cut to match your ignition key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscoStudd Posted April 17, 2005 Report Share Posted April 17, 2005 Do you know anybody who's good with a soldering iron? It's really not complicated at all. There are only 15 different "values" that the chip could be. I'd imagine if you went to Radio Shack, they'd let you test out one of their voltmeters and you could measure the resistance across your key's "pellet" right there. From there, tell the salesperson that you need to "chain" together some resistors to obtain the value you read on the meter, and I'm sure they'd point you in the right direction. The only "tool" you really need (other than a pair of wire cutters) is a soldering iron, and even one of those cheap battery powered ones would get you by. In total, it shouldn't cost more than 5 bucks for all of the parts at Radio Shack. It shouldn't take you more than 15-20 minutes to assemble the "resistor pack" and no more than 10-15 minutes to install it in the car. If you ever decide to do the VATS bypass, feel free to e-mail me (or drop me a PM on the board here) and I'll be glad to help you out ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteMonteZZZ Posted April 17, 2005 Report Share Posted April 17, 2005 Disco, I posted the link to your...umm...."our" writeup in F399's post on MyMonte.com also. But he didn't read it there either hehe. F399, Disco's link isn't difficult at all to follow. You need a resistor (or two) and electrical tape. Well, and a screwdriver to drop the lower kickpanel. There's nothing difficult about bypassing VATS (hell, the total bypass costs what, 5 bux or so)? WMZZZ Edit: You could probably, if you get lucky and only need one resistor, try to plug and tape the resistor into the end of the VATS connector, hold it there, start the car, and get home that way. Even if the resistor falls out on the ride home w/the car running, all that happens is the security light will turn on. The car will still run fine, but just wont start after its shut off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscoStudd Posted April 17, 2005 Report Share Posted April 17, 2005 I got an e-mail about a month ago from a guy (can't remember who) who soldered a wire onto each side of his key (actually each side of the pellet) and popped that into the connector where the VATS wiring plugs in underneath the dash . I actually get e-mailed quite a bit with "stories" of how people have bypassed their VATS systems. Most use my document as a guideline (I suppose, seeing as it's kinda "rough" around the edges) but you'd be surprised at what a little ingenuity will get ya ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteMonteZZZ Posted April 17, 2005 Report Share Posted April 17, 2005 I got an e-mail about a month ago from a guy (can't remember who) who soldered a wire onto each side of his key (actually each side of the pellet) and popped that into the connector where the VATS wiring plugs in underneath the dash . I actually get e-mailed quite a bit with "stories" of how people have bypassed their VATS systems. Most use my document as a guideline (I suppose, seeing as it's kinda "rough" around the edges) but you'd be surprised at what a little ingenuity will get ya ... soldering it to the resistor on the key. That's pretty dang funny. But, ingenious I must say. :shock: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitaloutsider Posted April 17, 2005 Report Share Posted April 17, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f_399 Posted April 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2005 thnaks guys, i will go to GM anyhow to get a new key, if that does not work i will bypass the VATS thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscoStudd Posted April 18, 2005 Report Share Posted April 18, 2005 Any time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f_399 Posted April 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2005 went and bought a key and still would not start i decided to bring it to GM for the recall on luminas and also check what is wrong driving a grand am rent a car now hope it wont be anything expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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