hello. i am a newbie here. my g/f has a 94 camaro (3.4, auto). the car apparently came with factory keyless entry (FCC box in pass kick and the wires i used for the remote start keyless entry were the orange/blk, red/blk). the car came with no keyless fobs and only one pellet key (didnt even know that crud came on the car). questions are:

the 'security' light stays illuminated (no flashes, just on) any time the key is turned to run. the manual says this means there is a malfunction. if there is s'posed to be some sort of alarm with this feature, it does not appear to work. i want the car to be reliable, so should i try to fix or by pass this. if so, how to (links or terms to use for a search are very appreciated).

i have read many threads on by passing the pellet. sounds like an idea. i kinda hate to do it, as this car is a replacement for a car stolen from a local college two weeks ago. she is really uptight about another theft. were it my car, id by pass it in case of future no start problems. but for her, i kinda like it. what are the chances of it failing? anyone know how much a lock smith charges to cut a new pellet key?

please give your ideas and thoughts on any or all of this. i really appreciate it. sorry to be so long. thanks folks.

 

you have to take it to the dealer and have them cut you a key unless the locksmith has VATS keys with all the different values and can read the value of your key. I had a key made from the pontiac dealer and the key cost me 25.00, check and make sure the vats fuse isnt blown, also maybe the person before had a key made with a incorrect value. the dealer may be able to tell what value you need by inputting your VIN into the computer. Also because nothing is happening with the car and security light is on could also mean a malfunction because i belive its supposed to disable fuel or spark withing 10mins i belive.

 

Jevelin, thank you for the response. i should have been more clear. the car runs fine. it's just that the security light stays on all the time. so im wondering if it is doing anything (havent made the light or any horns, lights, etc go off yet). i didnt know if that had anything to do with VATS (im wondering if my key even needs a resistor, or would a generic key work). i assume they are totally seperate, but wanted to ask.

also, i measure the resistance of the key. im not great with ohms, but on the 20K scale, the meter reads 11.8 every time. this is 11,800 ohms, right? i wanted to know for in case the key stops working and i need to piece together some resistors to bypass the system. thanks for the key info. i didnt know they were so cheap (my buddy has a 98 rustang with a similar chip deal and he paid over 100 for the dealer to get a new key).

any and all, please let me know what is up with the security system/light. also, what temp does the fan kick on at? thank you very much.

 

oh yeah, where is the vats fuse? dont remember seeing it in the fuse box. only had the car for a week or two, though. thanks. :-)

 

Well when doing a remote start and bypassing the VATS system...I believe you want to go under by the ignition wires and look for two small grey wires (I think thats the color) and you have to cut one in half and add the resistors in-line to make it think the key is there...

 

on my firebird the fuses are not on the main fuse box, they are up on the right hand side of the steering column.

 

SSon, thank you. i read up on that part. i just dont know how the security stuff is s'posed to work or even what it did when it worked (did it honk the horn or flash lights, etc).

Jav, thanks for the info. that makes sense. i will check it out when i have the dash apart in a few days for other installs.

thanks again, good stuff.

 

here is a rough diagram on how to bypass vats system

http://www.the12volt.com/uploads/fil...atsPassKey.gif

 

Javelin, thank you very much. im really glad you posted that (i had read some stuff in camaro forums/sites, but didnt have a schematic. and im really glad you posted that cuz i dont understand it.

now when the relay is not energized, juice flows through 30 and 87A like normal (no modification). the chip key is required to start the car.
when the relay is activated (is 85 supposed to be an alarm negative output?), the circuit flows through 87 and 30. and that would allow the car to start with a non chip key. but that would occur when the car alarm is on, the one time you dont want that.
the more i look at it, the less i get it. please help my retarded self out.
or...i think this is it. 85 is a ground from a hidden switch (so that it can ground 85 when one wants to START the car). relay at rest =no start. energize relay=car start. if this is it, why not switch 87A and 87 so that if the relay or switch fail, the car still starts (better for the g/f)? is this the right idea and would swapping terminals work?

below is one of the sources i had read to do this (its 3:30 am and im ready for beddy by. sorry so scatterbrained). this sounded much easier (same idea i think, but with no theft protection). i like to relay idea for extra theft protection.

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...highlight=VATS

thank you so much for your help. hopefully one more response and i will have this thing figured out. i really appreciate it.