88, vat resistor / substitution bypass

[badabing9]

greetings,

I have a question if I may ask.

I have an 88 vette and want to be sure my vats system doesn't crap out on me some time in the future. in the past day or so, I have be not able to start the vehicle due to the vats system as so my code reader and scanner have told me. i either waited the 4minutes or so or, disconnected the battery for less than 30 seconds and away i went. while i am aware that there could be many causes for this such as dirty or worn key/lock cylinder, i want to play it safe as not to get stranded.

I have measured the resistor pellet across two on my ignition keys and have 2 different values.the first being 4.75 k ohms and the other being 4.77 k ohms.

I have checked radio shack for these particular resistors and only find the 4.7k (being short the additional 500 ohms). how critical is the variance in the resistor pellet resistance? yes, i know i could series connect the additional resistance but, would rather not do that if i did not have to.

do I need to get a "precision" resistor to substitute in the vats system?

next question,...
what is the best way to clean the internal contacts of the lock cylinder without "insulating" the contacts from the pellet on key insertion due to "cleaner residue" which may change the resistive value the computer vat system reads when you want to start the car?

.....thanks again!

 

[vetteboy86]

I think you should be able to find a 1% resistor for that exact value from some where. Is there any reason you wouldn't want to connect two resistors? You could solder the two, and get the exact resistance. I think the 1 % resistors would be the way to go. I would imagine the system has maybe a 5 % tolerance. That is just a guess though. If you dont want to worry about that, mid america has a bypass for the vats system, which claims to be a straight forward modification.


Good Luck

Craig

 

[89z51l98]

Those tiny wires bend each time the lock cylinder is rotated... and they have a finite number of bends. If you take your weel off and get down to the lock... you can replace the wires (resolder) and go until the next time they break, if that is what the problem is.

I have a pdf at home that I can post from... that has the values and the ranges for the keys (like your #11)... and it is somewhere around 5%. I used two resistors to get my #2 key.

You could use some contact cleaner for the contacts... or a tiny peice of fine grit sandpaper.

greetings,

I have a question if I may ask.

I have an 88 vette and want to be sure my vats system doesn't crap out on me some time in the future. in the past day or so, I have be not able to start the vehicle due to the vats system as so my code reader and scanner have told me. i either waited the 4minutes or so or, disconnected the battery for less than 30 seconds and away i went. while i am aware that there could be many causes for this such as dirty or worn key/lock cylinder, i want to play it safe as not to get stranded.

I have measured the resistor pellet across two on my ignition keys and have 2 different values.the first being 4.75 k ohms and the other being 4.77 k ohms.

I have checked radio shack for these particular resistors and only find the 4.7k (being short the additional 500 ohms). how critical is the variance in the resistor pellet resistance? yes, i know i could series connect the additional resistance but, would rather not do that if i did not have to.

do I need to get a "precision" resistor to substitute in the vats system?

next question,...
what is the best way to clean the internal contacts of the lock cylinder without "insulating" the contacts from the pellet on key insertion due to "cleaner residue" which may change the resistive value the computer vat system reads when you want to start the car?

.....thanks again!

 

[badabing9]

greetings all,

thanks for the help and advice. i was a bit worried as to the system working (not the cost to bypass the vat) and if the computer would recognize a value that may be "slightly "off".

i subbed a resistance equal to that of my key, hooked up a hidden switch, and have it fuctioning in one position as "normal" and the other with the substituted resistive value. all works fine. all done!......thanks again!

 

[jmccloud]

VATS and Dirty lock cylinder

Last summer my key was becoming difficult to insert and extract so I sprayed some dry graphite into the slot. As I did so, the realization that the graphite might affect the VATS suddenly reared its ugly head. OH CRAP.
Sure enough, about 2 months later the car wouldn't start.
I shoot targets and always carry 'emergency' foam earplugs. Flattened one out, stuffed it into the key slot and pulled out some black powdered graphite. Three more clean surfaces had it pretty well cleaned up. Sort of like swabbing out waxy ears.
Waited until the 3 minute delay was up and the car started right up.
Put 3 more spare sets of ear plugs (swabs) into the console.
At least the key inserts and extracts easily now.
Your idea of an easily bypassed VATS will be implemented very soon.
Thanks

 

[G Winter]

greetings all,

thanks for the help and advice. i was a bit worried as to the system working (not the cost to bypass the vat) and if the computer would recognize a value that may be "slightly "off".

i subbed a resistance equal to that of my key, hooked up a hidden switch, and have it fuctioning in one position as "normal" and the other with the substituted resistive value. all works fine. all done!......thanks again!

could you kindly tell me where you wired this into. I only recieved one key when I purchased my car and $25 for a stinking key rubs me the wrong way. I did buy one but would like to bypass the system on mine with a switch the way you did. Also am thinking of installing a remote start ,mostly because it comes with the lock controls. being able to bypass the key saves about $25 for an extra unit . Thank You.

 

[badabing9]

could you kindly tell me where you wired this into. I only recieved one key when I purchased my car and $25 for a stinking key rubs me the wrong way. I did buy one but would like to bypass the system on mine with a switch the way you did. Also am thinking of installing a remote start ,mostly because it comes with the lock controls. being able to bypass the key saves about $25 for an extra unit . Thank You.

i just sent an e-mail to you! ps, paying a buch of bucks for a unit is not worth it when you can buy the parts yourself for less then $5.

 

[G Winter]

i just sent an e-mail to you! ps, paying a buch of bucks for a unit is not worth it when you can buy the parts yourself for less then $5.

Thanks a bunch badabing9 . With what you sent I should have no problems making it work

:BOW

 

[badabing9]

Thanks a bunch badabing9 . With what you sent I should have no problems making it work

:BOW

you are very welcome except, ya better know the resistance of that pellet or it won't work.............good luck sir. let the forum know how you made out.

 

[G Winter]

Think a $375 digital meter is good enough?:L I will check the keys at work . Is the wattage of the resistor an issue ? Wouldn't think there is much current there. Also , is there a current in one of the wires at all times or just when an attempt to start it is made? It will be awhile before I get to it. Is right at zero here now. So it is a bit cool in the garage without spending a lot for heat. I will print the email and the first time we get some warmer temps I will go at it. If we don't get any good weather I am going to have a really long to do list in the spring.

 

[Fast Freddie]

Get 2 resistors that add up to the value you need, wire them together in series, and you'll be good to go.

 

[vetteboy86]

Is the wattage of the resistor an issue ? Wouldn't think there is much current there.

I think you could get away with the eighth watt resistor. Should be plenty, wouldn't imagine the key is more.

 

[badabing9]

Think a $375 digital meter is good enough?:L I will check the keys at work . Is the wattage of the resistor an issue ? Wouldn't think there is much current there. Also , is there a current in one of the wires at all times or just when an attempt to start it is made? It will be awhile before I get to it. Is right at zero here now. So it is a bit cool in the garage without spending a lot for heat. I will print the email and the first time we get some warmer temps I will go at it. If we don't get any good weather I am going to have a really long to do list in the spring.

sure, an 1/8 watt resistor is plenty. i went with a 1/4 watt myself. yes, you are right as there is minimal current flowing however, i am not sure if it is hot all the time. i prefer to disconnect the battery when it comes to the computer circuits should a wire "get away from me" and brush ground.

you should also be able to get away with just a single resistor as opposed to any serial or paralell configurations to get the resistance you are looking for. like i said earlier, i was not sure how "tolerant" my computer was going to be if the value was damn close but, a little "off".