Wiring, Stereo & Electronics Audio Components | Radars | Alarms - and things that spark when they shouldn't

Is this VATTS or a bad starter

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 21, 2009 | 06:32 AM
  #1  
kcarlasc's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park, FL
Default Is this VATTS or a bad starter

Hey All,

my 96 TA has strarted giving me issues when starting, sometimes when I start the car I get nothing, no cranking just the key going to start. Power comes on but no starting. The very next time I turn the car over it turns over fine..

I am thinking its VATTS or a flat spot on the starter...

Any other ideas would be great...

Thanks
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2009 | 10:14 AM
  #2  
pentavolvo's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 1
Default

IMO if it were teh starter you would hear started making noise

but if i recall atleast on my 94 when it was a vatts issue it would crank and not start, and then u had to wait liek 10 min and try again, but i could be wrong
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2009 | 01:30 PM
  #3  
94'BLKBRD's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (76)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Default

Originally Posted by pentavolvo
IMO if it were teh starter you would hear started making noise

but if i recall atleast on my 94 when it was a vatts issue it would crank and not start, and then u had to wait liek 10 min and try again, but i could be wrong
Not every time. My starter wasn't making a noise at all. Turns out the Solenoid was cracked.


OP, remove your starter and take it to Autozone to get it checked out.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2009 | 02:18 PM
  #4  
jattgunman's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Cali
Default

Ive had issues with my vatts not to long ago, supposedlly there is a wire in the ignition that tends to break over time in some vehicles. I did the vatts bypass and it didnt start up but then when I removed the vatts bypass and the vats connection all together the car worked like normal except for the security light always on. If your car is a manual try push starting it, and if it wont start its your vats
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2009 | 04:31 PM
  #5  
kcarlasc's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park, FL
Default

Thanks guys.. never thought about the Solenoid... will try and pull the starter out this weekend
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 11:54 AM
  #6  
blackbyrd's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,641
Likes: 392
From: cookeville, TN
Default

also look at your key the little pill on it is the resistor that the vats reads, over time they get dirty and need to be cleanded off so it can get a good reading.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 04:03 PM
  #7  
BandDirector Blk98ZM6's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,278
Likes: 43
From: Macon, GA
Default

...I had problems ONE time with my VATTS and my security light was flashing telling me that's why it wouldn't start.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 01:22 AM
  #8  
Blake0352's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

I left my car sitting for a week while I was TAD at another base, came back and the security light was on. tried starting it (not even a crank or click) lights and radio work fine, even my 12" subs still kicked. Tried starting it for a 30 more minutes before giving up and walking back to my barracks.

Day 2
Came back, tried to start it again (still no crank or click) and just said F*** it and left. Bad starter or a VATS problem? Btw I have a Viper Remote start Alarm and the remote start won't even turn it over. Help!!!!!
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-6

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 06:15 AM
  #9  
pemberton's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Proctorville, OH
Default

When the car doesn't start does the security light stay on? If it does stay on then it's VATS (Vehichle Anti-Theft Security) not VATTS lol. Like somebody else said just clean the pelet on your key and if that doesn't work bypass the VATS system all togather by running a few resistors in parallel under your dash that match the resistance of your pellet. That are 15 different pellet combinations. I bypassed mine because I didn't want to be stranded or late for work.

VATS # (K)OHMS (Set your meter to the 20k ohm setting)

1———— 0.402
2———— 0.523
3———— 0.681
4————-0.887
5————-1.130
6————-1.470
7————-1.870
8————-2.370
9————-3.010
10————3.740
11————4.750
12————6.040
13————7.500
14————9.530
15————11.801

Here is a link that will be helpful. It not hard fix it now.
http://vats.likeabigdog.com/
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 08:02 AM
  #10  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Ungrounded Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Default

Close... VATS = Vehicle Anti Theft System. But you're right - if the security light in the instrument cluster (not the alarm LED on top of the dash) isn't on then it isn't a VATS problem.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 08:53 AM
  #11  
kcarlasc's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park, FL
Default

Hey All,

Thanks for all the ideas... have not had a chance to really look at it.. did clean the key so we will see what that brings... hoping for the cheap out :-)
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2009 | 06:24 PM
  #12  
kcarlasc's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park, FL
Default

Cleaned the key and no go. Security light does go off after a few seconds... Everything works, radio etc just does not start. The second key turn and it starts every time...
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2009 | 06:48 PM
  #13  
bluetransam95lt1's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
Default

my 95 did the same thing. I was in the same situation as you, it would only start whenever it wanted to, then I did the vats bypass and Ive had no problem since.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2009 | 04:55 PM
  #14  
FBGSU02's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Savannah, GA
Default

my 95 v6 is doing the same thing, i replaced the starter and still nothing, took it to a mechanic friend and he is replacing the neutral switch. just an idea i will let you know.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2009 | 09:20 PM
  #15  
Ws6isLife's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: bay area
Default

had a vats problem last week, i went and did vats bypass works fine now!
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2009 | 08:01 PM
  #16  
Chrisd000111's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Glen Burnie MD
Default

im having the same problem, but i sprayed some electro contact cleaner into the ignition solenoid, and it is a temporary fix hasnt done it in a while but i will prolly bypass it eventually. is there anyway that you could put a switch in with the resistor so that you could hide a switch somewhere so that you could not start the car unless the swich is on. just as an extra safety precaution. so that you have to know where the switch is to start it
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2009 | 09:28 AM
  #17  
Ws6isLife's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: bay area
Default

yea just wire in a switch to the bypass
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:44 PM.

story-0
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-1
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-3
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-6
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-7
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-8
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE