Hi guys im not sure if this is the right place to post this but ill give it a shot. 3 days ago I lost my keys to my 97 T/A. Since then I had 2 different locksmiths come to my house and make me a new key. The first lockmith couldn't make a key and gave up. The second locksmith got me a whole new ignition cylinder but the key has no resistance diode/chip on it. Now I do have a new key but neither can figure how to get the right VATS diode/chip number. Both hooked it up to a small red box that was suppose to give them the right number but after six hours still no start. Is there a way for me to bypass this so that I can use my chipless key?

 

You can turn the VATS off in the switch table if you have tunercats.

 

My VATS was suposedly disabled when I got my PCM4less tune. Ive heard that the starter kill feature on the VATS will still remain if you dont use a key with a resistance diode on it.

 

I think ebay sells a module for this. I asked this same question a while back and found a number of threads and most stated that the VATS has to be disabled elsewhere, not in the PCM only. I don't really know, so don't kill the messenger, but you can get key blanks on ebay by knowing a resistance value.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-VA...QQcmdZViewItem

 

I see everyone is telling you to user Tuner Cat. What they are not saying, You need to buy an adapter, Chip burner, and chips. I bought the Autoprom, a chip adapter and zif socket and (5) 29c256 chips. This was well over $300 for the investment. They all can be found and purchased at www.moates.net. Most people don't have this kind of money to spend so there is a pocket programmer and software called Flashburn found on moates.net that is free. You still need the chips. But they are 100% correct. There is a place in C.A.T.S. called ECM switch table were you can uncheck Vats.

 

Do a search in LT1 tech for VATS and you should get all kinds of info. I will tell you what I am going to try.

I am going to place a resistor in the wiring at the column that matches the resistance of my key. Check this out:
http://shbox.com/1/vats_bypass.jpg
http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#pass_key
http://shbox.com/1/air_bag_disc_2.jpg
There are a couple of steps in the VATS system, but I think this is all you will need to do to make that new ignition cylinder work without using a key with a security pellet in it.

 

There are no chips required for his year vehicle, or any f-body '94 and newer. It is flashed to the PCM's memory with a cable and a computer.

Or, he could have the PCM sent out, and have it turned off by a programmer. Sounds as though more hardware adjusting is needed in the steering column though.

Dan