A little VATS confusion
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Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Wisconsin
A little VATS confusion After a recent BCM install...
I unplugged the vats plug under the dash and the car still started while it was unplugged and I didn't even put the resistor in yet. Should it have even started? The security light was still blinking. I then put the resistor in and the car still started with the security light blinking. Any ideas? Thanks
I unplugged the vats plug under the dash and the car still started while it was unplugged and I didn't even put the resistor in yet. Should it have even started? The security light was still blinking. I then put the resistor in and the car still started with the security light blinking. Any ideas? Thanks
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2
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From: Wisconsin
Originally Posted by AaronNauertz
Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
Quote:
Originally Posted by AaronNauertz
So I put the new BCM in and I now have a flashing security light. Car still starts with the VATS unplugged under the dash and also starts with the resistor in or out. Security light just flashes the whole time. After reading one of your posts, I think your saying that if I disconnect the battery, then I wouldn't be able to start the car? Would the resistor bypass then work if I disconnect then reconnect the battery effectively clearing the security light? Thx
A flashing Security light indicates that VATS can't see a resistor in the key (the light would be on solidly if it saw a resistor of the wrong value). That means that the key resistor is damaged, the contacts in the ignition cylinder are dirty or damaged, the wiring connector at the base of the steering column is disconnected or damaged, or the wiring between the ignition cylinder and the BCM is damaged.
The first thing to try is cleaning the contacts on the key and inside the ignition cylinder. You can use a pencil eraser to clean the key contacts. Spray electronics cleaner (available at Radio Shack) and a cotton swab are good for cleaning the ignition cylinder.
If that doesn't work then you'll have to start checking the circuit with a meter. Put the key in the ignition then test the resistance between the two wires at the connector at the base of the steering column. It must be within 10% of the rated value of the key resistor. If you get no reading then you probably need to replace the ignition cylinder. If the column checks out then your problem is somewhere in the wiring between there and the BCM - one of the wires is broken.
OK thx. Also before the new BCM install the security light was on solid. Only after the new BCM did it start flashing. I also had a spare key made yesterday that also successfully started the car. So it's more than likely the ignition cylinder?
Possibly. I never replace parts without testing to ensure the source of the problem. In this case, it could just be dirty contacts. But it could also be the ignition cylinder, the wires inside the steering column, the connectors, or the wires to the BCM. Without testing, you're just guessing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
Quote:
Originally Posted by AaronNauertz
So I put the new BCM in and I now have a flashing security light. Car still starts with the VATS unplugged under the dash and also starts with the resistor in or out. Security light just flashes the whole time. After reading one of your posts, I think your saying that if I disconnect the battery, then I wouldn't be able to start the car? Would the resistor bypass then work if I disconnect then reconnect the battery effectively clearing the security light? Thx
A flashing Security light indicates that VATS can't see a resistor in the key (the light would be on solidly if it saw a resistor of the wrong value). That means that the key resistor is damaged, the contacts in the ignition cylinder are dirty or damaged, the wiring connector at the base of the steering column is disconnected or damaged, or the wiring between the ignition cylinder and the BCM is damaged.
The first thing to try is cleaning the contacts on the key and inside the ignition cylinder. You can use a pencil eraser to clean the key contacts. Spray electronics cleaner (available at Radio Shack) and a cotton swab are good for cleaning the ignition cylinder.
If that doesn't work then you'll have to start checking the circuit with a meter. Put the key in the ignition then test the resistance between the two wires at the connector at the base of the steering column. It must be within 10% of the rated value of the key resistor. If you get no reading then you probably need to replace the ignition cylinder. If the column checks out then your problem is somewhere in the wiring between there and the BCM - one of the wires is broken.
OK thx. Also before the new BCM install the security light was on solid. Only after the new BCM did it start flashing. I also had a spare key made yesterday that also successfully started the car. So it's more than likely the ignition cylinder?
Possibly. I never replace parts without testing to ensure the source of the problem. In this case, it could just be dirty contacts. But it could also be the ignition cylinder, the wires inside the steering column, the connectors, or the wires to the BCM. Without testing, you're just guessing.