BallerCamaro21

96 Trans am. The car was running fine and now it won't crank. Any ideas? I also noticed is I have a red security light that flashes when the key is not in the ignition and while it is in the ignition. Any ideas of what the problem could be?

Gojira94

iTrader: (4)

Troubleshooting the VATS (Vehicle Anti Theft System); an excellent write-up:

http://shbox.com/1/pass_key.html

Post back with your findings and we'll help you along.

ahritchie

iTrader: (1)

Not to jump the gun on trouble shooting...check the little chip in your ignition key for excessive wear....they DO wear out over the years...mine was worn out and causing random issues with starting and the light security coming on. Once I had a new key made, no issues.

BallerCamaro21

Ok thanx I will check tonight

BallerCamaro21

Ok so I check the chip and it is fine and I did the bypass and still no start so I check the started wires and I get 12 v to the big wire but I get nothing on the small wire even when I had the person turn the key to start it I didn't get anything on the little wire any idea?

shbox

What is the status of the security light? Is it now off? How did you determine the chip was "fine"? Did you test it as suggested in the link posted above? If it tested good to the connection under the dash, why did you bypass it, anyway?

Here is a schematic of the starting system that can help you troubleshoot.

BallerCamaro21

The light is on and I bypass to see if it would work but I hook it back up and I still don't crank is there a fuse or a relay that could be bad or anything

shbox

If the light is still on, your bypass did not work or there is another issue with the BCM or wiring that is causing a problem. I'll ask again...did you actually test under the dash to see if the key resistance is getting through the column as suggested in the VATS info link? You have to start narrowing down the problem to be able to fix it. If you looked at the starting schematic link I posted, you know everything that is involved to crank the engine.

ahritchie

iTrader: (1)

Did you try your second key? That is the obvious thing to do to eliminate a key issue quickly (after the security light turns off automatically in 3 mins). If you don't have one, it's a good idea to have one made for a backup anyway.