A friend of mine has this problem after an engine swap. What could it be?

Thanks.

 

Sorry to barge in on this thread, but what even is the security light? mine lights up with the other gauges when i start the car, but i dont have an alarm or anything, whats up?

 

Its the VATS security system. When you put your key in sensors, read the chip on the key, and allow the car to start. Without the chip working properly, the key will turn, but the electtrical system will not work.....MADWOLF: hopefully the reason your car won't start is that the chip is worn. Look at your key, if the silver part in the middle of the round little black thing is worn down, thats probably the problem, happened to me. It is like 25.00 for a new key. If its not the key its the system, and that costs more. Start with a different/new key first

 

Thanks Don't Look Back....

Does anyone know if disabling the VATS from the PCM will allow the car to start?

 

Right. If it can't read the key, the light flashes. It could be an open or short in the key cylinder circuit, bad or dirty/worn key, bad or dirty/worn contacts in the cylinder.

 

Madwolf the engine change is most likely coincidence. the Flashing Security light and a no start means the BCM did not see the correct key resistance when inserted to the lock cylinder. Couple of things could cause this: Easiest the Lock Cylinder or Key resistor contacts are dirty. A common problem however is the harness in the Lock Cylinder breaks and the circuit becomes open or shorted fix is to replace lock cylinder. Hope that helps.

 

Disabling the VATS at the PCM still will not allow a start. The System does two things one is thru a theft deterrent relay which disables the starter, the other which is thru the PCM disables the fuel enable circuit. Disabling VATS will allow for fuel but the starter still will not crank. You can get around the starter issue but that will require a lengthy post.

 

I had that happen to me. First the security light started flashing while driving and then one day it wouldn't start. I just assumed that the contacts in the fromt of the lock were shot. I don't know how it could be the key. I tried cleaning first but no go. Rather than replace the whole lock assembly ($$$) I just put the right value resistor on the wires where they came out of the bottom of the steering column. Make sure you have the right ones, the other pair is the air bag. I don't really feel less secure. You still have to defeat the alarm, have the right key and the right connector to fit my custom starter wire interrupt

 

I agree with the others.... I had to have my car towed and and a new ignition switch installed due to a faulty VATS.

 

Changed my steering wheel and pulled out the coil for the air bag. 1 month later the wires from the switch for the vats rubbed through and left me stranded at a George Carlin concert. Did just like the other person above mentioned and put the correct resistor in the connector at the base of the steering wheel. Just measure the key with an ohm meter and get one to match. shove it in and no more security light and don't have to buy the expensive chip keys anymore either.

 

okay so had this probl
em afer taking out the battery turns out after an hour under the hood all i had to do was hit unlock on the remote entry lol

 

Great resurrection of a 7 year old thread. Glad yours was easy.

 

Sometimes the contacts in the cylinder lock will get intermittent or your key contacts get dirty. However, I would almost be willing to bet that the problem will come back.......just like this thread.

Just be sure that if it happens on a regular basis that you address it. My brother did not and it stranded him in Raleigh(contacts just got too bad to work). I had to buy a pack of resistors, drive to Raleigh, and fix it for him.

 

Funny... I was searching for a post of mine and I thought... I sure didn't remember posting in a thread like this a couple of weeks ago... and I was right I didn't. It was 7 years ago.

 

Had the same type problem turned out to be the Lock Cylinder had to have replaced try the key first