I am having the same VATS problem with a 95 Buick Regal Custom. Thanks Tech II for the info about the bulk connector. I will try this next . Good luck zdiddy456.

If you remove the hush panel on the driver'* side, and look at the wiring harnesses coming down the bottom side of the steering column, you will see the orange sheath with two white wires, going to a black connector...you disconnect the black connector, and attach the the appropriate number of resistors(chances are you will not find the correct one and will have to put resistors in series to equal it), equal to your ignition key, to the .two white wires going away from the column, not the wires going up the column....That orange sheath breaks out to the right of the column...look for that black connector....

Thanks Tech II, I found the wires. I also found that my multimeter is no good. I will get a new one, and then I am off to find the resistors. Does this always work?

Yes it does, if that is the problem.......you can verify that the wires to the lock cylinder are broken with your multi meter......first measure resistance of key by touching both sides of the key contacts with your leads.....this gives you the resistance you will need.....then go to the black connector, and disconnect it......insert your key in the lock cylinder(just insert, don't have to move it to any position)......now take your leads and touch the contacts of the black connector half, going up the column.....the reading you should get should equal the key....if it says OL or infinite, one of the wires is broken.....if it reads your resistance of the key, this is not your problem you are having....

These posts have been moved to its own thread. Please do not reply to someone else'* thread and continue to diagnose in that thread.

Anyone running across this thread Here is a page showing ohms readings for each number of V.A.T.* key find a combo of resistors to ewual the resistance of you vats key