Where is the vats module located in a 99 sse

My vats module is bad and I need to replace it, but I can't find the old one, any ideas??

99 bonneville sse

On the 93s it is located behind the right side of the dash above the heater box. It is probably in the same location on your car. It can be seen in the following pic above the heater core:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v155/randman1/1993SSEi/DSC01068.jpg

It's not a very fun job. The modules don't go bad too often. Usually it is an ignition switch or wire problem within the column. If you have a remote starter installed then there could be a problem with the bypass. Let me guess... the car dosen't start and the security light flashes?

I'd bet on the ignition switch where the contacts touch the pellet in the key. That's where I find the problem. You can easily bypass the system with cheap resistors from Radio Shack.

I'd bet on the ignition switch where the contacts touch the pellet in the key. That's where I find the problem. You can easily bypass the system with cheap resistors from Radio Shack.


Would you happen to have a step by step on how to bypass and which resistors to purchase? man it would be a life saver. Happy New Year!.

Yep. The link is for a Fiero but all GM VATS systems are the same. That's why they are so easy to steal. All you have to do is match the number you see on your key to the list provided on the link. Then, goto Radio Shack or where ever you can get little resistors that match the one you need. Then, connect the resistor(or resistors if you need to connect more than one to match) to BOTH ends of the VATS wires you find under the dash. You'll cut the VATS in half and the wires that go under the dash (or away from the column) and put the resistors there.

I'd have someone double check the VATS system before you do all of this. Trace the wires under the dash. They'll go to a little plug. Unplug it and put the probes from a meter into the ends going to the ignition switch. With the key inserted, they should match what your key is. If not, then the above method is your fix.

Oh, if you can not get an exact match to the resistance needed, go just a shade higher. As long as you are within about 10% of the value, you'll be OK. So, lets say your key code is #1 which is 392 ohms, you could go 400ohms and it should be OK. You'll tend to have more problems if you go lower for some reason.

Hope this helps

http://home.t-online.de/home/O_Scholz/vats.html

Thanx . Ill let you know how it goes .