Parked my 95 at a local store to run in. When I was ready to leave, it would not turn over. Nothing at all happened when I turned the key. All the dash lights & sounds were working, headlights worked as well. While I was calling for help I tried again and it started as normal. Battery and charging system checked out normal. Could it have been the neutral/backup switch? a glitch? Has not happened again (2 days) but now I have to think about it. Any ideas?
Thanks, Chet

 

Welcome to the wild world of that wonderful system know as 'vats' (vehicle anti theif system).Had the same thing happen till I installed a bypass chip from Eklers. The connection in the ignition switch that operates on a precoded chip in the key wears and causes a problem in operating the system properly to which only the dash works, but not the starter or fuel system. When working right the system is good because there is so many codes and its slows the thieves down. Look up VATS on the web and you get a lot of feed back on the history and how easy it is to bypass.

 

vatssucks.com (http://www.vatssucks.com/)

 

Indeed vats does suck! I bought the bypass plug in some time ago. Kept leaving me stranded. If someone wants your car bad enough, vats is not going to stop them. Strip the car or two it....either way, they got what they want. Oh yea, drain the battery acid to.

 

how do you know what code you have on your key??

 

Take your key and car to the dealership and they can find out for you. Probably charge you alot for it but...

 

A locksmith can determine what resistance value the pellet is. It will be a number from 1 to 15.

 

I went to the dealer today and they read the code off my key for free... they said a replacement would run about $24.99... not bad, but the guy said he didnt have any in stock... he also told me it probably wasnt the key but the ignition cylinder(which im sure would cost a lot more), since the his machine read the code... do you guys think this is the case... or do you think that buying the VATS override from ecklers and say the hell with it...

 

DO NOT BUY THE KEY OR THE CYLINDER! The override chip costless and makes the chip in the key usless. The override chip takes the place of the key chip. The resistance in the chip doesn't wear or change, its the switch in the cylinder. The installation of the bypassis easier than a oil change.

 

thanks... my mind is made up, override it is!