Getting to VATS connector

1992 Park Ave

I have the intermittant failure to start, as described in a lot of the other threads here, and I would like to disable the VATS system. I have read the links in the other posts, and have my resistor ready to put onto the connector. My problem is finding and getting to the connector.

Does anyone have a good set of how-to steps for getting to the connector? I assume the lower cover of the steering wheel has to come off, and to get that off you have to remove the padded bottom of the dash. Unfortunately, my Haynes manual is (again) silent on how to tear into the dashboard. I assume the results of just using a prybar would not make the job look like it was professionally done... :)

Thanks for any help.

Anyone?

The basic question is, how do I find and get to the VATS connector? I have found info reading further in the forum as to how to get the front of the dash off, and I suppose after the front comes off I could get the bottom off, but would I be tearing into the right place?

Sorry to ask again, but I'm getting desperate. I had to do the 3-minute wait 3 times today, and it's awfully hot...

Thanks.

Look under the dash for an orange wire coming down from the steering column leading into the fuse box/break pedal area. Inside the orange casing are the two wires that you need to jump out with the appropriate resistor(s).

Thanks, kok328.

If I pull the panel right under the steering wheel (the panel has the diagnostic connecter in it) I do see a connector I thought might be the one. It is a white 2-pin connector with a lock pin in it, with an orange covered pair of wires (one white, one green) coming from the steering column, and 1 white and 2 green wires coming out the other end (the two green wires are connected to the same pin). I was a bit nervous on that one, though, because it has an airbag warning label attached around the orange sleeve... but you think that's the one? That would be great, easy to get to...

Thanks much.

Thanks, kok328.

If I pull the panel right under the steering wheel (the panel has the diagnostic connecter in it) I do see a connector I thought might be the one. It is a white 2-pin connector with a lock pin in it, with an orange covered pair of wires (one white, one green) coming from the steering column, and 1 white and 2 green wires coming out the other end (the two green wires are connected to the same pin). I was a bit nervous on that one, though, because it has an airbag warning label attached around the orange sleeve... but you think that's the one? That would be great, easy to get to...

Thanks much.
You got it my friend!:grinyes:
Some more info:
GM Vats System Bypass (http://www.12vp.com/info_resistors.htm)
vats1.pdf (http://www.asttraining.com/Files/vats1.pdf)

OK, great! I'll be glad to get that problem behind me.

Thanks!

One quick follow-up. That connector I described was NOT the right one (but that was my fault, I described it incorrectly). I apparently have a colorblind memory. The connector was a yellow one (not white), and the wire sheath going into it was also yellow (not orange). Since it had an airbag warning on it, I assume it has something to do with that. I post this just as a note to anyone else doing this, don't make the same mistake I did, and either do it in daylight or with a good flashlight.

I confirmed it was the wrong connector by disconnecting it, and discovering the car would still start.

However, as I sat there (OK, laying under the dash more than sitting) feeling sorry for myself, I looked up and spotted an orange "wire". I felt it, and could feel 2 wires inside it. I split it open, and it contained 2 white wires (yes!). I cut the wires and confirmed the car wouldn't start, then soldered my resistor pair (I combined 2 2200 ohm resistors in parallel to get 1100, my key resistance was 1130) across the wires on the non-steering-column side. Success, car started right up. Taped it up to prevent shorts.

Done. Thanks, all. Sorry for my misinformation.