Well, i have been noticing this for a couple weeks. when i go to start the car, i would turn the key, and i would have to wait a few seconds before the car would actually turn over. I dont know if this is related to my new problem.

Today I went to the store and as I was driving home, the security light came on. After awhile, it went off. I got home, shut my car off, ran in the house to grab something, and i came back out and the car would not turn over. I am getting no voltage to the starter, but have voltage to the "all the time hot wire". I did the screw driver trick, and the car started, and died. My starter is good, so it must be the VATS? Please help! How do i take the column apart? Whats the cheapest way to fix this??

Rob

I wouldn't start by tearing the column apart. I'd first clean the key(*) and the contacts inside the ignition switch. For the key, use a pencil eraser and then some rubbing alcohol to clean the resistor. For the switch, saturate a key with alcohol and repeatedly insert and remove the key. You may have to dip the key in alcohol a couple of times.

This solves many VATS problems. If it dosen't, it could also be your neutral safety switch. Try starting in neutral instead of park.

Thanks for the help. I tried multiple keys, and still nothing. :(

From what I have been reading, A wire could of broke in the column, or my key cylinder is wore out.

Rob

do you use the tilt wheel alot? I know that GM has said if you use the tilt wheel there is more chance that the VATS wire will break

Yea, that certainly could be the problem but don't think you should maybe look at some more common and easier to resolve problems first? Did you attempt to clean the inside of the ignition switch yet? The funk that gets on keys could be built up on the contacts.

Do you have a remote starter by any chance?

I shot electrical contact cleaner in there, and went in and out, in out.

I used the tilt wheel every time I drive the car


Rob

oh no....

Sounds EXACTLY like what happened to me. I just went through this last weekend. One of the VATS wires in the column broke on mine. No wonder, the freakin things are so thin you wouldn't believe it. I spliced the broken wire and put everything back together and it started and ran like a charm. Taking off the steering wheel isnt that bad. make sure you disonnect the battery and remove the SIR fuse before attempting this. Oh and one more thing. You WILL need a tool to get the wheel back on cause it'* spring loaded and IMPOSSIBLE to put back on with your bare hands. If you have the tool it should take you no more than 2 hrs. GOOD LUCK! If you have any questons or problems PM me here on the site and I'll be checking in periodically.

yea give credit to GM for making a important wire, like something that is used to start the car so small, and easily to break

well I took my key, read the resistor on my ohms meter. I then took a few resistors to make the right resistance for my car. I crawled under my dash, found the orange wire, cut it, put in the resistor I made, and the car started like a charm.. took me about 15 minutes to install, plus soldering.


Rob