Hi everyone, a friend of mine has a 99 cutlass i am wanting to buy, its a nice car except one problem with the antitheft. One out of 4[apprx] times you try to start it the antitheft light comes on and the car wont crank for exactly ten minutes, then it will start. I remember last year when he had this problem, he had a shop work on it. They did a temporary fix they told him would last a while but it needed a $600 chip. It did fine for about 8 months but is now doing it again. I would like to buy the car, {good price,low-miles], has anyone had this problem or know if its easily fixed. Thanks

I have had to replace the ignition switch housing in them cars before because the theft deturant. I also have seen the body control module go bad cause security issues. In either case the repairs require reprogramming the theft system after replacing the part.

i would see if the pcm could be sent to the tuner and the vats turned off, i would guess that would be money and aggravation ahead in the future

I'm with Justin, either have vats turned off on the PCM, or consider installing this bypass.

GM VATS Bypass Module For LS1 and LT1 GM VATS Bypass Module For LS1 and LT1 [gmvats] - $24.95 : 3rdBrakeFlasher, E-commerce web site

How does this bypass hookup, is there instructions with it, thanks for all your help guys.

I have not hooked one up myself, but from what I understand it requires you to splice into a couple of wires at the BCM, maybe somebody else that has installed this can shed some light on exactly how to hook it up.
I was able to find a site with some info on hooking up a bypass module, it should have relevant information in it that may help you.
I am betting you will have your feet in the air splicing wires, so if you are not comfortable with splicing the bypass into a few wires, then I'd just find somebody to turn VATS off in the PCM.

http://www.xdponline.com/documentati...ass_Module.pdf

I don't think the 99 had vats, I think it'* the pass key system and the ignition cylinder is in the dash and not in the column.

They don't have a chip key but I think they do have a vats type system in the cylinder

I didnt see my yr in the list of cars with vats on the xdponline website, doesnt look to bad to hook up, how can i find out for sure. Thanx for the help, i bought the car anyway if you dont lock the doors [i never do] it doesnt seem to be a problem. Its a gls w/88,000 miles in very good shape, at 1800dollars i couldnt pass it up.

the cutlass/grand am/malibu'* of that few years have the vats in the cluster, and the cluster is in "computer network" type communication with the pcm. it has to be turned off in the pcm for real bypass