I have a friend that has a 350 swap installed in his 87 Fiero, and is stuck on one thing. He says there is a wire for the anti-theft device that is stopping the thing from firing. Is there a bypass for this, or what should he connect this wire to? Any help would be appreciated.
here is a paste from another site on how to do the bypass...
One of the more common problems with the VATS security systems in the third generation f-bodies is caused by a simple bad connection in the ignition cylinder. The problems start when the wires leading from the contacts in the cylinder to the VATS module develop an intermittent contact or a complete break. This can cause sudden failure to crank, either intermittently or permanently. Due to the nature of the system, manual transmission cars can t even be push started.
DIAGNOSIS: The first step is to check the resistance of the chip in the key with a multimeter. Write this value down, you ll be needing it later. Next, remove the panel under the dash and look for a pair of yellow wires coming from the steering column and leading to a connector a short distance away. Unplug the connector and with the key in the ignition, measure the resistance at the wires leading from the steering column. The reading should match that of the chip in your key. While the reading might match while the key is in the off position, it will probably change when the key is turned forward. If this happens, the problem is in the ignition cylinder or the wires leading to it. At this point there are two options: Buy a new ignition cylinder and for alot of money or bypass the system for less than a dollar.
BYPASS: To bypass the system you ll need to buy a resistor with a value matching that of your keys chip at any local electronics store. The easiest way to install this resistor is to cut the wires leading into the column about a foot from the connector. Take this section of wire, strip the ends and solder the resistor in place. Take this section of wire and resistor and simply plug back into the connector under the dash. The VATS module is now fooled into thinking that there is always the correct key in the ignition. Although this does render the security benefits of the VATS system useless, if increased security is desired, the resistor can simply be unplugged, leaving the car disabled until it is reinstalled.
I'm not 100% sure, but I think VATS was introduced in the 1989 model year so an ecm from 87 or 88 should do the trick.
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03:03 AM
fieroguru Member
Posts: 12112 From: Champaign, IL Registered: Aug 2003
The 305 chips for the 7730 came from factory with the VATS function turned off. If you install one of the 305 chips the car will start and run, but will not be optimized. However, it will allow you to drive and test everything else out.
If you have a chip burned (which I highly recommend) then a simple unclick of a box will disable VATS on the 350 bins/chips and there will be no need to do anything from a wiring standpoint (I do not even have the VATS wire in the harness).
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07:08 AM
fieroguru Member
Posts: 12112 From: Champaign, IL Registered: Aug 2003
I'm not 100% sure, but I think VATS was introduced in the 1989 model year so an ecm from 87 or 88 should do the trick.
VATS existed in 1986 (had it on my 86 Vette) and the 7730 ecm was used for the Speed Density TPI applications from 91-92. The earlier years of TPI used a MAF setup with a different ecm.
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07:14 AM
Genopsyde Member
Posts: 774 From: Willoughby, Ohio USA Registered: Dec 2007
VATS existed in 1986 (had it on my 86 Vette) and the 7730 ecm was used for the Speed Density TPI applications from 91-92. The earlier years of TPI used a MAF setup with a different ecm.
wow, i didn't know it went that far back. didn't think of the maf/speed density thing either. good call.
you can get a chip from pcmforless, but mail order chips are never perfect, dyno tunes and self burning is the best way.