I was wondering if someone could tell me how to measure the resistor in the key, so I can disable the VATS. What a pain to have to wait 3 min while the thing resets. I know it makes your car easier to steal but dont worry its locked in a garage and gaurded by rabid pit bulls

 

On both sides of the key's "pellet" you'll see metal in the middle of this pellet. Take a multi-meter and place one probe on one metal part and the other on the other side. That's the resistance. If you can't do that, then take the key to a lock smith and ask him to tell you the GM number of the key... should be 1 to 15. He'll plug it in to a gizmo box and a digital number will pop up. You can then cross reference that number with this chart...

http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/alarm96up4.htm

listed near the bottom of the page.

 

You can measure it with a simple 'resistance meter', just put ends to the sides of the resistor built in your key. I don't understand why do you want to disable VATS and why - while having a good key - you need to wait 3 minutes. You can order a key with a proper resistor on the eBay. As for disabling the VATS - I think it can also be done with TunerCat.

 

My Dad just fixed that problem for a friend of ours with an '87 Corvette.....the problem is, somewhere in the line (from what we heard, often right at the key switch in the column) the wiring breaks, or just gets a bad connection, so then even with the proper key for the car, you try to start it and it doesn't start. Now you've gotta wait 4 minutes until you can try to start the car again. When this starts happening over and over, it's a big pi$$ off, and embarrassing too if you're sitting somewhere trying to start your car and it won't start for you.

The resistance of the key for that 'Vette was something like 2.36 ohms, but the book said the computer accepts a variance of 10% or 20% I think, so my Dad disconnected the plug that goes to the key reader, and soldered in a resistor that measured around ~2.3x ohms, and the car now starts perfectly every time.

VATS is a good system in that it A) won't let the starter engage, and B) it cuts off the fuel even if you can turn the motor over, BUT, it sucks when you've got the keys to your own car and it won't start.

 

Wait, I have to stick my nose in here, too! VATS