My key wouldnt start my Trans Am anymore!!!

**Toneloc71sr** · 06-15-2006, 08:32 AM

Cost me $400 to have the ignition cylinder replaced, and two keys. My question, has anyone ever had this problem before, is it common? Also, why couldnt I just get a new key? The guy at the dealership said you have to replace the cylinder as well.

**oneBADDz** · 06-15-2006, 08:46 AM

you can bypass VATS and not spend the $$$ if you just buy a resistor for 50 cents

**Bowtie Guy** · 06-15-2006, 08:52 AM

If you look at your key,there is a resistor on it. When they get worn,they dont make contact inside the lock cylinder that sends a signal to the VATS. I dont know if there is a cheaper fix.

**0rion** · 06-15-2006, 09:06 AM

VATS can be turned of with LS1edit.

**oneBADDz** · 06-15-2006, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

VATS can be turned of with LS1edit.

vats is in the bcm not the pcm, how does that work?

**baseballss** · 06-15-2006, 11:03 AM

What happpened is there is two little metal prongs (inside the ignition cylinder) that are very very small that read your key when your insert it into the cylinder. over time from repeatedly pushing in and taking out those prongs that read the chip on your key get worn down and sometimes broken and will not even read that your key is in the ignition. A new set of keys with resistor would not have fixed the problem. Tt is a somewhat common thing, it happened to mine!!

**Mr. Luos** · 06-15-2006, 03:34 PM

I had the same problem.
Mine wasn't the key but it was the rollers in the ignition.

$300 or free resistor from a friend.
Gee...let me think.

**0rion** · 06-15-2006, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by oneBADDz

vats is in the bcm not the pcm, how does that work?

Lower right hand corner.

**oneBADDz** · 06-15-2006, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by 0rion

Lower right hand corner.

sweet, I am a doubter no more. I'm glad you didn't take offence to my question and get defensive, seems that most would have. I never would have guessed you could do it that way. . .

**0rion** · 06-15-2006, 10:16 PM

No problem. I've never set the vats off on my car but knew it was there. I'd like to hear if anyone has fixed this specific problem by turning it off with edit.