1990 VATS issue, ignition lock and key replacement

[Blt4ice]

I have finally had it with the VATS issue on my 90, and am tired of waiting around in a parking lot just to have it fail again.

I looked on Ecklers and their price seems reasonable enough to just replace the key lock and get new keys.

My question is, what do I need to replace?

Do I just need to get the key cylinder and then purchase the correct VAT number key?

And on that note, where do I find out what VAT number is currently in my vehicle?

Thanks in advance,

Brian

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Brian,
Go to your local hardware store and have them check the key code #. You will need new keys with your current VATS value but the cut of the new cylinder.

Now, do you want to keep the VATS working? You can bypass it if you want. This way you have less to worry about. I did that for my friends 96 GS as he was having the same trouble.

Either way I would get one new key first to try it, if you still have problems either get the new cylinder or bypass the VATS itself.

I have finally had it with the VATS issue on my 90, and am tired of waiting around in a parking lot just to have it fail again.

I looked on Ecklers and their price seems reasonable enough to just replace the key lock and get new keys.

My question is, what do I need to replace?

Do I just need to get the key cylinder and then purchase the correct VAT number key?

And on that note, where do I find out what VAT number is currently in my vehicle?

Thanks in advance,

Brian

 

[Moonunit 451]

I bypassed mine with info from members here. Some people don't recomend it, for security reasons. I suppose there is some validity to that. It looked to be a difficult job to replace the cylinder at the time and it was not inexpensive. It cost me about three bucks to bypass it. End of problem. A FULL explanation is available starting with my second or third post ever here if you wanna do some reading. It's all there.

 

[Blt4ice]

Well I am looking to fix the problem so I can drive the car reliably again. I tried the spare set, they are barely used, and the car has over 130k miles on it. So I am thinking that the cylinder contacts are wore out. So I guess I will just order the cylinder and 2 new keys after I find out the VATS code for them. Thank you for the help.