denster22
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Teching In
Joined: Sep 2021
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denster22 I have a 1999 Camaro and it doesn’t happen all the time.I use the remote to unlock the car,I use the key and turn to start position
and it won’t activate starter the security light stays on. I turn off ignition exit car and lock car with remote 2 horn blasts. I unlock car and still won’t let the car start is there some way to disarme factory anti theft system.
and it won’t activate starter the security light stays on. I turn off ignition exit car and lock car with remote 2 horn blasts. I unlock car and still won’t let the car start is there some way to disarme factory anti theft system.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
That security light is VATS - the Vehicle Anti Theft System. It is designed to read the resistance of the black pellet in the ignition key and check that it's the same value as the original factory key. When the light is on steady, it means that the system sees a resistance value but it's not the correct one. That's actually good because if the light was flashing it would mean that the system wasn't seeing a resistor at all which usually means broken wires to track down.
Many times you can fix the problem by cleaning both the key and the ignition cylinder. Use a pencil eraser followed by some rubbing alcohol to clean up the contacts in the black pellet on both sides then use some spray electrical contact cleaner and a pipe cleaner or long cotton swap to clean the inside of the ignition cylinder.
There are additional fixes that can be tried (a VATS bypass is the most common) but I would try cleaning and/or trying a spare key (if you have one) before getting into bigger fixes.
Many times you can fix the problem by cleaning both the key and the ignition cylinder. Use a pencil eraser followed by some rubbing alcohol to clean up the contacts in the black pellet on both sides then use some spray electrical contact cleaner and a pipe cleaner or long cotton swap to clean the inside of the ignition cylinder.
There are additional fixes that can be tried (a VATS bypass is the most common) but I would try cleaning and/or trying a spare key (if you have one) before getting into bigger fixes.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2021
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I think problem solved Thanks for the info.I cleaned the chip on the Key and sprayed contact cleaner in the ignition drum on steering column.
I also removed the rear impact module and so far that might be the problem.If the rear impact module is faulty it can keep the car from starting.
Thanks again
denster22
I also removed the rear impact module and so far that might be the problem.If the rear impact module is faulty it can keep the car from starting.
Thanks again
denster22
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Actually no, not that I've ever seen. The impact sensor in the right quarter panel is part of the vehicle content theft deterrent system (the optional factory alarm) and not part of the vehicle anti theft system (VATS). They are susceptible to failure due to water intrusion but the usual symptom of that is random and repeated false alarms. I am not aware of an impact sensor ever causing failure to start. They can be dried out like a cell phone and will then often work when put back into service. They are also quite inexpensive to replace. Leaving it disconnected affects only the impact sensing capability of the factory alarm and does not affect any other alarm functions.
So congratulations on getting the issue resolved but I think you'll find it was the ignition cleaning rather than the impact sensor.
So congratulations on getting the issue resolved but I think you'll find it was the ignition cleaning rather than the impact sensor.
