Possible VATS Problem? 94 Firebird

[corsair8080]

hey guys, i bought my red 1994 firebird 3.4L V6 about 2 weeks ago.

150,000 MILES

I was about to start it up this morning to go to school, and usually i turn the key on and listen for what i think is the fuel pump to quit. and the security light to turn off then i start it up.

Im not sure if i did this morning i was in a rush, but when i turned the key....nothing HAPPENED. and the security light was on. i waited for a second, and tried again. it started but shut off. So i waiting and then did it again and it started up. BUT the whole way to the school (10min) the red security light was on. i got to school, and shut it off, and started it up agan for the heck of it. it started right up. But the security light is still on. is it a problem??? or what? SHould i disconnect my battery when i get home? i hear that could shut it off.

THanks guys, im new to firebirds. this is my first one. And i JUST found out about VATS on this forum. Your help will be appreciated.

--Timmy

[2.2 Straight six]

don't disconnect the battery. when it comes to alarms they like to go loopy when the battery's disconnected. many alarms have their own batteries, so if you disconnect the battery, the alarm will go off.

[wrightz28]

Welcome to the forum

Try cleaning the key and lock cylinder.

[brcidd]

I had a '94 Formula-- when the VATS acted up on it- the light would flash- and the starter was disabled-- you had to wait about 5 minutes until the light went out-before you could try it again. I was able to rub the key contacts on my pants- to clean it really good- and it would be okay after that-- it happened twice- (once at an airport parking lot in the ice)----until I permanently bypassed- by installing the proper resistor between the white wires in the orange sheath--no more problems after that.....

[corsair8080]

THANKS guys.

Well for some odd reason, the security light has went away.

So im good i guess!

Thanks for your help

[poormillionaire2]

Hurry and bypass it before it leaves you stranded somewhere.

[philly rs]

yeah i agree with the statement above.....my first camaro did the same thing...then one day it stoped doing it. 3 months later i was at a mall and whe it did it..it never started till an hr later..and i was out on a date maaaan was i pissed. so your problem didnt go away i just took a break. u have to understand how the vats works and whats going on... we have a long post on this site if u do a search on vats on here. i went through whats going on inside the ignition with the tumbler and the thin plastic pieces that are being bent and not responding, and someone posted directions on how to do the bypass with the resistors..i myself find it better to use the chip in your key for the fact that my second camaro i used resistors and later on down the line it still messed up. your chip in yur key is the perfect and best resistor..get this taken care of b4 u end up at school and cant get home..oh and i also find that it does it really bad on cold damp days....just a tip

[2.2 Straight six]

Buy a Ford.

[philly rs]

then it will never start