Saturday i got me a headlight switch and some new bulbs for my instrument cluster and when i pulled the bottom panel off a black wire with a spare key, and a resister wired to it fell down. it was all balled up in black electrical tape. i didnt fully untape it cause i new right when i saw the key, i new why it was like that. My question is, does it do any damage to the starter or the system to be wired up like this. and will this last a long time? im just curious, and i have read about doing that and i have said man my vats is still working great while others is having to hack thiers. by the way, i got the headlight switch in and changed my instrument cluster lights out, put the dash back together and i started my car just to see if i messed anything up. and its all working the way it should.

well as long as your car starts fine, im sure its wired up correctly and wont hurt anything..
but whats with the key? why would a spare key be up there?

well as long as your car starts fine, im sure its wired up correctly and wont hurt anything..
but whats with the key? why would a spare key be up there?


i dont know i was afraid to fool with it too much. but it looked like the key was cut off right after the vats chip and it looked as it was wired into the wiring harness, along with a resistor. i have thought about getting ahold of the last owner to see what the deal is.

the key is for when u start your car, the system reads your key chip and compairs it to the one in the dash thats how it lets u operate the car. honda has a simular system but they dont have a key inside, when u get an aftermarket alarm on a honda with the remote start they put a spare key that u have 2 get made under the dash, its crazy but thats how the keys work

ahh I see, so the key is actually wired in? (i thought it was just hanging)

thats really odd, I see no reason for two resistors? especially if one of them is factory.. But like I said before, if your car starts OK, they must have done something right?

yeah that sounds kindof weird.. whatever works tho....

yeah its a pain trying to get remote starters because those keys cost like 70-80 bucks for the dealership 2 cut so if u dont have one already your screwed! i think they should have just somehow copied the code in the key into something inside the dash instead of having a key just hanging around inside the car u know

well the key is sawed off. it just has the vats chip and it ends. i did find the wire for the chip reader in the keyswitch hanging from the steering collum. its disconnected and still has the plug on the end. so my car might have had the steering collum replaced, key switch or anything. or maybe the vats system just went bad.

yeah its a pain trying to get remote starters because those keys cost like 70-80 bucks for the dealership 2 cut so if u dont have one already your screwed! i think they should have just somehow copied the code in the key into something inside the dash instead of having a key just hanging around inside the car u know
WTF? Those keys are only about $13 cut here in Ohio. The new PK3 keys for the Caddys and such are pricey. I had to replace the VATS on my '89 Formula. With the keys and cyl. it only ran about $90.

for a camaro at least 90 and abouve i know its at least 70 bucks thats being damn nice for a key with the chip and if in ohio thats the price u have 2 pay then u need to tell me who u are banging to get that price

the keys are 24 bucks in kentucky, but i got a good deal on a new owners manual, waranty and service manual, 2 spare blank ignition keys, and 2 blank door keys, and a leather case all still in plastic for 30 bucks on ebay for my rs.

Not banging anyone. Here's the kit via internet. Not sure if it has the keys or not. http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm

not sure if its the same problem, but i had to replace my steering column because it was broken into and i didnt have a key, so i had to have the column repaired and then had to have a key made to fit the cylinder. then i had to test the resister value in they key, (its one of 15 values) and then bought a resister (at radio shack for like $3) and then soldered it into the VATS wire below the column (i think its a yellow or orange jacket with two white wires in it) and WALA. it works

not sure if its the same problem, but i had to replace my steering column because it was broken into and i didnt have a key, so i had to have the column repaired and then had to have a key made to fit the cylinder. then i had to test the resister value in they key, (its one of 15 values) and then bought a resister (at radio shack for like $3) and then soldered it into the VATS wire below the column (i think its a yellow or orange jacket with two white wires in it) and WALA. it works
Yep! I do it for people when the VATS system fails

If its the right key it shoudnt need a resistor along side of it.sounds funky to me if you have the original key to the car buy a vats ignition switch and install it.The way you described it,sounds really shady.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/260330VATS2.JPG


Here is usually what happens because where the wires run goes right next to sharp pointed metal objects but if installed with some sence it will not do that again.I use a small piece of plastic to block the sharp objects from cutting through the wires inside the column.

well i had to see it for my self for a second time just to know what the hell has been done, i removed the bottom dash cover and untaped the key and resistor. they key's resistor isnt wired in, its just taped up with it, i guess so that the value of the resister could be matched up with a new resister, just my guess.

well, before you go buy something, at least make sure youve tried everything you can so you dont waste money. within reason of course. dont go breaking things you wont be able to repair yourself. lol
but Hotrod is right, the way you described it sounds pretty weird to me.
but im almost postive the key is just acting as a resistor because the last owner happened to have the right resistor in a key and was too lazy to buy a separate one. lol

If it was the right key you would have no need for a resistor you would just have hook the orange security wire to the key by soldering it in full time.Usually its a repairable wire originally broken inside the dash like you see in that picture.If possible you could repair the broken wire with rosin core solder and shrink tube if 90 bucks is too much and if the key isnt right and you have to call a lock smith to get a key for the ignition thats still cheaper than the 90 dollars you will spend on a new vats key to match your new vats ignition switch.

You could just leave it like it is and solder it so it cant lose connection then if the ignition switch ever goes bad you can replace it cheap.