Chip Posted November 21, 2009 Report Share Posted November 21, 2009 Today my '96 Regal died and would not restart. Security light is blinking. After some research, I see that it is most likely the VATS. I tested the resistance of both my keys and they are the 7.5 (k) ohm #13 key. So it HAS to be the ignition switch, right? I read discostud's bypass article and also saw a relatively cheap VATS bypass module from Adaptive Performance that is plug and play (see link below.) Any suggestions or experience with the plug and play from anyone? Only thing that sucks is that its in the parking lot of an establishment about 5 miles from home. The discostud method may be a bit much for a parking lot fix. The plug and play module will take 3-4 days to arrive. Has anyone corrected a no start issue by simply installing this unit. THanks for any insight. http://www.adaptiveperformance.com/vats.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteCarloChick Posted November 21, 2009 Report Share Posted November 21, 2009 the discostudd method took 5 minutes. the most time spent was soldering the resistors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88red4cyl Posted November 21, 2009 Report Share Posted November 21, 2009 I can't tell real well from the picture, but their "module" looks like an overly complicated version of the discostudd method... Instead of making a resistor pack yourself and wiring it in, theirs looks to have a big ass box with the resistors inside it that plugs into the vats harness... Same thing, just 10 times more expensive than doing it yourself, and its bulkier... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Posted November 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 I took your advice and just did the discostud method. It was simple and I was able to do it right in the parking lot where it failed. Felt good to "beat the system" a little, avoid towing, and a GM key/switch replacement. Just need to go back in and do a more permanent solder job where the very light gauge VATS wiring connects to the bullet connectors. Thanks again W-Body forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 The resistor is kind of the ghetto way since it really only eliminates the key, and yes, that module does appear to be a resistor in a nice box with a plug. A better way is to use a real VATS defeat module, that sends the signal directly to the PCM, this takes the key and the BCM or Passkey module right out of the equation so it essentially eliminates the entire VATS system. A real VATS module is typically a timer based circuit that sends the frequency or a nicer microcontroller based unit that runs a simple frequency generation program. Many of them are made to run off of the PCMs 5V bus, but they can be had in 12v versions too and installed at the BCM or Passkey module. When installing a real VATS module you do have to make a couple other changes at the BCM or Passkey module. One is grounding the yellow/black wire that comes from the start inhibit relay, and the other is cutting the gray wire that goes to the indicator, that wire can be re-used to allow the theft light to be used as your alarm indicator. Of course burning it right out of the PCM with a cal is also an option but the 2 wires at the BCM or Passkey module still need to be tended to. Sorry to do the lengthly "Mr. Wizard" post but that could be useful info to have here on the board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteCarloChick Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 @ Ghetto way. How is it ghetto when it's a permanent bypass? Everyone does it, and it's simple and incredibly cheap. Ghetto is putting 45" rims on a $1200 KBB car. Glad it worked out chip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 Sorry man, it's ghetto, it doesn't defeat or eliminate the entire VATS system, just makes it so that it thinks it sees the key all the time and the entire system still works. Besides that I'm not bashing, only pointing out the facts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteCarloChick Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88red4cyl Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 x2... Who gives a crap if it's "ghetto"... It's easy, it works, and its completely hidden by the kick panel... If you want to go through all the extra effort to essentially achieve the same thing, then be my guest... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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