General LSX Automobile Discussion - Does anyone know how to bypass the keychip security on a 98 camaro?

Hey everybody, i am having a problem with the security system on my 98 z28 camaro. Sometimes when i put the key in to start my car and turn it to the start position, the security light comes on and my car wont start. I have heard that there is a way to bypass it and that it might be illegal to do or something like that. But it is my car and im tired of having to go through the security cycle 2 or 3 times before it will start. If anyone knows how to help, please let me know. P.S. Im not opposed to bypassing everything and putting in a push botton start like the old school cars.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/567630-homemade-vats-bypass-box.html

I think you can have your vats turned off with a tune.

I think you can have your vats turned off with a tune.
Yes you can & if youre getting one anyway fine BUT getting a tune just to disable the VATS is the expensive way.


http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/567630-homemade-vats-bypass-box.html

Never knew someone made a VATS bypass box so I read through some of it just to see & it might be inexpensive but IMO its much more complicated & more expensive than it needs to be. I have bypassed tons of these systems.
A list of all thats needed to bypass the VATS:

2 pkgs of resistors from Radio shack $2.00
1 soldering iron & some rosin core solder, $7.00 but no extra expense if you have one.
1 multimeter/ohmmeter to check the resistance of the pellet on the key. These range from $10 to $400 for a real good one, a cheap one will do but again no extra expense if you have one.
So if you already have the tools mentioned, $2.00 is all it will cost to bypass the VATS system.

Read the resistance of your ignition key with an ohmmeter by touching the leads on each side of the key pellet, make sure you have the range set to auto or from 100- 15,000 ohms which is the highest the resistor pellet made.
Once you have that reading you then make a resistor thats within + or - the pellet reading. This usually takes 2 different resistors soldered together. Example: If your key reads 1860 ohms then a resistor that reads from 1810-1910 ohms will work. Then remove the drivers trim panel below the steering wheel, theres a small 2 wire connector with 2 very small white wires going into the steering wheel area. Cut the 2 wires & solder your resistor you made with one end to each wire & your car should start every time.

The #1 failure with the VATS system is the 2 tiny wires like to break at the ignition cylinder for the key reader. Once this happens, the PASSKEY module cant read the key pellet & the car wont crank or start. Wiring the correct resistor in sends the PASSKEY module what it needs to see to allow starter & fuel enable. Its much cheaper than replacing the ignition cylinder & key & you pretty much wont have this problem again. Bad thing about doing this is now someone can break the column & steal the car easier.

Yes you can & if youre getting one anyway fine BUT getting a tune just to disable the VATS is the expensive way.




Never knew someone made a VATS bypass box so I read through some of it just to see & it might be inexpensive but IMO its much more complicated & more expensive than it needs to be. I have bypassed tons of these systems.
A list of all thats needed to bypass the VATS:

2 pkgs of resistors from Radio shack $2.00
1 soldering iron & some rosin core solder, $7.00 but no extra expense if you have one.
1 multimeter/ohmmeter to check the resistance of the pellet on the key. These range from $10 to $400 for a real good one, a cheap one will do but again no extra expense if you have one.
So if you already have the tools mentioned, $2.00 is all it will cost to bypass the VATS system.

Read the resistance of your ignition key with an ohmmeter by touching the leads on each side of the key pellet, make sure you have the range set to auto or from 100- 15,000 ohms which is the highest the resistor pellet made.
Once you have that reading you then make a resistor thats within + or - the pellet reading. This usually takes 2 different resistors soldered together. Example: If your key reads 1860 ohms then a resistor that reads from 1810-1910 ohms will work. Then remove the drivers trim panel below the steering wheel, theres a small 2 wire connector with 2 very small white wires going into the steering wheel area. Cut the 2 wires & solder your resistor you made with one end to each wire & your car should start every time.

The #1 failure with the VATS system is the 2 tiny wires like to break at the ignition cylinder for the key reader. Once this happens, the PASSKEY module cant read the key pellet & the car wont crank or start. Wiring the correct resistor in sends the PASSKEY module what it needs to see to allow starter & fuel enable. Its much cheaper than replacing the ignition cylinder & key & you pretty much wont have this problem again. Bad thing about doing this is now someone can break the column & steal the car easier.


This is true, and probably more common.

The circuit in the BCM does go bad too.

If the resistor doesn't fix the problem, you'll either have to replace your BCM, tune it out, or use the fix the in the first reply. There's a guy on eBay that sells the kit for like $14.

now would him getting a new key made help the situation or is the problem with the car not the key.....i justgotanew one madefor like 10 bucks at gm

now would him getting a new key made help the situation or is the problem with the car not the key.....i justgotanew one madefor like 10 bucks at gm


When I was dealing with my issues:
I tried a new key first
Next I tried a resistor and even cut off a plug from an old ignition switch, so the resistor could be unplugged if needed.
I finally tuned it out with HPTuners, but my Security light remains on.

I want to get a hold of an old BCM to look at the circuitry (before touching mine), it may be as simple as resoldering cold solder joints.

I, unlike most people, want to keep VATS working.

now would him getting a new key made help the situation or is the problem with the car not the key.....i justgotanew one madefor like 10 bucks at gm
If the resistor is bad in the key (rare case) or if the pellet contacts are worn bad enough a new key could fix it. If the key reader wires are broke in the column a new key wont do any good.

This is true, and probably more common.

The circuit in the BCM does go bad too.

If the resistor doesn't fix the problem, you'll either have to replace your BCM, tune it out, or use the fix the in the first reply. There's a guy on eBay that sells the kit for like $14.

Out of all the PASSKEY issues I have ran into, only 1 needed a BCM, that was in a late 90s Buick Century. All others had the infamous key reader wires broken. BCMs can & do go bad but its not often.

When I was dealing with my issues:
I tried a new key first
Next I tried a resistor and even cut off a plug from an old ignition switch, so the resistor could be unplugged if needed.
I finally tuned it out with HPTuners, but my Security light remains on.

I want to get a hold of an old BCM to look at the circuitry (before touching mine), it may be as simple as resoldering cold solder joints.

I, unlike most people, want to keep VATS working.

i have the same issue on my 95 trans am (tuned out with tunerpro but stays on, same wiht my traction control) and my 99 ss (no tune, car starts but light always on) and my 00 ws6 that has had the locks replaced. pulled the cluster on the ws6 so i could yank the bulb. HA! jokes on me as its an led soldered to the board. I wasnt ready to try and separate the rear board from the gauges and put it back in the car. waste of time grrrr