QuestionI have a 1992 Camaro and I have a problem with it starting. I have power when I put the key in, but when I go to turn the key over, nothing happens. I know that it is not the starter, the battery or the key with the chip in it. I asked a mechanic a few years ago if he had heard of any problems like mine. He said yes. He said there is a wire that is disconnected somehow in the column.
It happens periodically and I have to wait for it to start… sometimes for days. I have tried moving the steering and all. It will not start. No one else has ever heard of this. Have you? Can you provide another solution to this problem?
AnswerHi Stephanie:
You have described a VATS failure perfectly.
What is VATS?
Vats stands for Vehicle Anti Theft System. Lots of people refer to this type of key, as a " Computer Chip key". This key or "Chip" actually has nothing to do with a computer, nor is it a chip. But because of the popularity of calling it a computer chip key, so will we. So that we don’t confuse. The black chip on the blade of the key, is actually a resistor. GM uses 15 different resistors in their VATS keys. Just by looking at the keys you can’t tell the difference.
How does the VATS System work?
Each VATS key has it’s own unique cuts on the key to turn the lock; but the cuts alone will not allow the car to crank. This is called the mechanical portion of the key. Some GM cars (certain makes and models) have a VATS module (computer) under the dash that communicates to the starter (or fuel pump) circuit. Each VATS module is randomly given a # (value) from the manufacturer. When the proper mechanical keys, along with the proper VATS chip (resistor value) turns in the ignition lock, the VATS module reads the chip on the key. If it is the correct chip, the VATS module will tell the starter and the fuel pump to operate. If the wrong chip is read, the VATS module will tell the starter and the fuel pump to shut down for 4 minutes.
Inside the lock are contacts that read this chip on the key. Each time you turn the lock to start the car, these wires move and bend inside the column. After 10+ years of turning the key on and off, the wires begin to and ultimately break. Once that happens, the signal to the computer is lost, thus the car will not start.
You have 2 choices. bypass the system, eliminating this anti-theft protection, or replacing the lock and recreating new VATS keys. The costs to repair this problem can be from under $10 if you do the bypass yourself, to over $200 if you have a professional replace the lock and keys. I can provide procedures for both.
Here is the web page for the bypass procedure:
http://www.stolenandrecovered.com/howto/vats.php
Good luck
Doug
