I did a search on this, but I could not fine a solid solution that everyone uses.

My VATS is giving me the old "3 minute coffee break" and I can't deal with it anymore. My car has a Viper remote start, and for some reason, that gets affected too. I thought the remore start ALWAYS bypasses the VATS? Seems like the VATS does the same to the remote start function sometimes as it does when I try to start the car with the key.

So...

What is the easiest way to disable the VATS in my car? Something fast and simple - I've never done this before, so I am clueless.

Thanks,
Greg

 

Have a new chip burned for it. In Tunercat under the ECM Switch Table, there's the ability to turn the VATS and associated diagnostics on or off.

 

Get a multimeter or ohmeter and put the probes on either side of the little "chip" in the key. Get a resistor that matches this value exactly.

Look down around the steering column for two small wires that are kind of seperate from the rest of the wiring. It should have a connector and the wires go up towards the top of the column. I think there's some orange somewhere... I can't remember for sure, either it has an orange cover or one of the wires is orange, but don't count on that my memory is fuzzy. Anyway there are easy to recognize as they are small and by themselves.

You can cut them and wire the resistor in between the two. That will fix it if it is infact your VATS.

 

Don't cut them, they have an orange overwrap. Pull the connector apart and put a resistor in the mating connector that has the same resistance as the key as RMC explained.

 

Thanks guys!

Okay, I'm going to look under the steering column tomorrow. So, I'm not cutting the wires at all, or disconnecting them?

Greg

 

No need to cut wires. Unplug the connector and put the legs of the resistor into the connector toward the VATS module end.

The connector is the black one with the striped wires, under the air bag connector in this pic.

 

Yeah my bad, cut it or put it in the connector it's your preference really. I just said cut it because last time I did it the owner didn't really ever have a desire to repair the original design and wanted a permanent fix so he preferred that I cut it and wire it in that way. But really you can do it either way.

 

Thank you everybody - you all made my night! These posts were all very helpful.

Greg

 

Success!

I went to the Chevy dealer, got the key pellet code, then to Radio Shack and picked up the resistor. I made the connection, and the car starts with no problem!

My security light stays lit though.. is that normal when bypassing the VATS?

Greg

 

Congrats on the easy fix!!!!

I would think that it would stay lit, but I could be wrong.

 

It shouldn't stay lit because the resistor is essentially the exact same thing your key pellet is. When you have your key in and the system is working as normal the light doesn't stay on. I'm thinking that you may have to reset it to go off?

 

no need to reset it.

As a test, I put a piece of tape over my resistor pellet and tried to start my car. It would not start, and the security light was on. After I removed the tape, it started fine, with no light.

You must have another problem yet, causing the light to remain lit.

 

Good idea...

Not sure what the problem is then but it shouldn't be from bypassing, because you're not really bypassing the VATS just bypassing the bad connection on the lock cylinder.

 

The thing that is confusing is the Viper alarm... The car came with a remote-start, and I know the alarm bypasses the VATS when starting. Funny thing is, even the remote start didn't work because the VATS.

The VATS module end of the connector is the female side, right (see pic)?


Here's a pic of the resistor installed. Does this look right?

Greg

 

I couldn't find my VATS box for my 93 When I put it back together and to bypass the whole thing I just grounded the ground wire off the starter relay and then reprogrammed the chip to not include vats.. started up first time no problem!! No vats box to worry about anymore.

.. of course then I found my vats box still mounted to the passenger airbag bracket that I pulled out of the car 6 months back. I must have thought it was some kind of airbag controller when I pulled it out.