PLEASE HELP!!! car wont start...maybe alarm problem?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Chitown
PLEASE HELP!!! car wont start...maybe alarm problem? Sorry if this is the wrong section, but I couldnt figure out where to put this...
This morning when I went to my car and tried to start her up, she wasnt happy with me. I put in the key and turn it forward, only to have the security light come on, and nothing else (no starter).
I figured, hey maybe its they key not working (with the stupid chip in it), so I got my spare. Same results.
Yesterday when I was driving the car I did see the security light come on for a second or two...I thought maybe I didnt close the hatch all the way.
PLEASE HELP!! I am supposed to take the car on a road trip tonight!
Its a '98 Trans Am.
-Doug
This morning when I went to my car and tried to start her up, she wasnt happy with me. I put in the key and turn it forward, only to have the security light come on, and nothing else (no starter).
I figured, hey maybe its they key not working (with the stupid chip in it), so I got my spare. Same results.
Yesterday when I was driving the car I did see the security light come on for a second or two...I thought maybe I didnt close the hatch all the way.
PLEASE HELP!! I am supposed to take the car on a road trip tonight!
Its a '98 Trans Am.
-Doug
Re: PLEASE HELP!!! car wont start...maybe alarm problem? It sounds like VATS is acting up. I've heard of a few people having this problem. You can disable it with Edit then you don't have to worry about it. That's what I did.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Winter Springs, Florida
Re: PLEASE HELP!!! car wont start...maybe alarm problem? Yes it's the infamous VATS tiny wiring broken at the lock cylinder,Just measure the resistance of the key on each side of the "pellet" there are 15 different ones,Go to Radio Shack and get a resistor within 20 ohms of your readings.Drop the hush panel on the drivers side under stg. column.Look for the orange colored insulation,Disconnect the connector from it.It will be the smallest wires you've probably seen on the ends of that orange sleeve.Cut the connector on the side not going into the column.And solder that resistor to the ends of those thin wires. Good Luck
Re: PLEASE HELP!!! car wont start...maybe alarm problem? Yep, it's what they stated above. It happened to me already with my car. The dealer knew what it wqas right away. If under waranty, they will fix it no problem.
If you need to get by, try putting the key in, turning forward until all the lights come on, like you are going to start the car, but dont start it, leave it there until all the lights on the panel go off. If the security light goes off, that is your chance to start the car. This wonrk sometimes, not all the time. If it does not work, and you wish to try it until it does, you have to wait like 5 minutes between each try. I would not be taking it on any long trips if I were you.
If you need to get by, try putting the key in, turning forward until all the lights come on, like you are going to start the car, but dont start it, leave it there until all the lights on the panel go off. If the security light goes off, that is your chance to start the car. This wonrk sometimes, not all the time. If it does not work, and you wish to try it until it does, you have to wait like 5 minutes between each try. I would not be taking it on any long trips if I were you.
