Crazy VATS Problem - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

KJL · 01-27-2020

Ok so I seem to have this reoccurring problem with my car not starting. Originally I thought it was due to the fact that I cut off the battery when ever I leave the car. Some folks on the forum thought this may be messing with the VATS system thinking there is a problem. Every tome this happens following about a 20 minute wait she will start right up. The only other thing that is constant in all this it only ever happens when I am at the gym. Yesterday I came to the gym and did not cut off the battery this time. When I went to leave sure enough the car doesn’t start. I waited about 15 minutes and it still would not start. Called my wife for lift and went back about 1 hour later and it started without issue. It was then I noticed I always park under some high tension power lines and was wondering if the magnetic fields created by these things may be messing with the VATS system. It makes no sense at all that it only happens ever at the gym. I always park in the same spot.

secondchance · 01-27-2020

I see 95 and 92 ZR-1s on your signature line. Is this happening to 95? If so, this is while using PKE remote?

KJL · 01-27-2020

It is the 95 but not sure what the PKE remote is?

secondchance · 01-27-2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJL

It is the 95 but not sure what the PKE remote is?

93 to 95 ZR-1s (as well as standard C4 Corvettes) came with proximity remote fobs - a.k.a. Passive keyless entry.
I’m wondering if you lock/unlock the door with PKE remote, if VAT will still malfunction as you are experiencing.

KJL · 01-27-2020

[QUOTE=secondchance;303718]93 to 95 ZR-1s (as well as standard C4 Corvettes) came with proximity remote fobs - a.k.a. Passive keyless entry.
I’m wondering if you lock/unlock the door with PKE remote, if VAT will still malfunction

I just use the key to unlock. But it never happens any other time.

XfireZ51 · 01-28-2020

The fact that it started in that same spot 1hr later would tend to eliminate the power line hypothesis IMO.

conesare2seconds · 01-28-2020

It’s the gym.

I’m kidding. My car stranded me every darn time I took it to the gym, too. I took to carrying a jump pack. Anyway, two thoughts. First, if you are using two sets of mats take one set out and see if there is any difference. You might not be able to depress the clutch pedal fully with a second set. Second, your starter might need a new solenoid or you might need a new starter. If the car starts with a jump it points to the starter, assuming your battery is good.

KJL · 01-29-2020

haha.....another reason to just not go!! She always starts at the local Tavern!

secondchance · 01-29-2020

Next time the car is not starting take a look at the volt gauge on the instrument panel as to turn the key to start position.
If the needle drops, I would suspect starter failure.
Do you know how old the starter is?

DRM500RUBYZR-1 · 01-29-2020

Well, that is an excellent solution to the problem.
Skip the gym, and have a burger and a beer at the tavern instead.
OK,OK, put lettuce on the burger for health reasons......................

Or go with fruits and vegetables instead by ordering either a Bloody Mary or a Screwdriver.

If it is EM field interference, that would be confusing to the PKE system, which even if the VATS were circumvented, might signal the CCM to interrupt the starter circuit. Your PKE continues to work even though you are not activating it with the FOB.
You should read your manual to see if your locking method is activating it, which would then explain it's "confusion" with the EM field it might be "seeing".
There are I believe two antennas that search for signals for the PKE.

The manual will also review how the security light will appear through each method of locking and unlocking. The CCM expects things in a certain sequence. If it receives information out of sequence it can interpret it as a theft.

The VATS "workaround" only sends the CCM s signal that the key was of the proper ohms for the car / CCM. Other theft symptoms such as door opening, would not be affected by the VATS eliminator.

Are you sure that when this happens at the gym that it is different from when the starter engages but does not spin on first try?

Again, keep us posted on progress.

Marty

01-27-2020	#1
KJL Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 234	Crazy VATS Problem Ok so I seem to have this reoccurring problem with my car not starting. Originally I thought it was due to the fact that I cut off the battery when ever I leave the car. Some folks on the forum thought this may be messing with the VATS system thinking there is a problem. Every tome this happens following about a 20 minute wait she will start right up. The only other thing that is constant in all this it only ever happens when I am at the gym. Yesterday I came to the gym and did not cut off the battery this time. When I went to leave sure enough the car doesn’t start. I waited about 15 minutes and it still would not start. Called my wife for lift and went back about 1 hour later and it started without issue. It was then I noticed I always park under some high tension power lines and was wondering if the magnetic fields created by these things may be messing with the VATS system. It makes no sense at all that it only happens ever at the gym. I always park in the same spot. __________________ 1995 ZR1 #159 Ported,Corsa,4.10 Rear, Dual Disc RAM Clutch, Alum Flywheel, Haibeck Chip, ZFDoc Plates, Relocated Battery 400 rwhp 1992 ZR1 #280 Ported, Locked Secondary's, Flowmaster Exhaust, Haibeck Chip, 375rwhp 1996 Collectors LT4 (Stock) 1972 Convertible 434 Small Block 572 rwhp Last edited by KJL; 01-27-2020 at 09:23 PM.

01-27-2020	#2
secondchance Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: McLean, VA Posts: 3,723	Re: Crazy VATS Problem I see 95 and 92 ZR-1s on your signature line. Is this happening to 95? If so, this is while using PKE remote?

01-27-2020	#3
KJL Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 234	Re: Crazy VATS Problem It is the 95 but not sure what the PKE remote is? __________________ 1995 ZR1 #159 Ported,Corsa,4.10 Rear, Dual Disc RAM Clutch, Alum Flywheel, Haibeck Chip, ZFDoc Plates, Relocated Battery 400 rwhp 1992 ZR1 #280 Ported, Locked Secondary's, Flowmaster Exhaust, Haibeck Chip, 375rwhp 1996 Collectors LT4 (Stock) 1972 Convertible 434 Small Block 572 rwhp

01-27-2020	#5
KJL Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 234	Re: Crazy VATS Problem [QUOTE=secondchance;303718]93 to 95 ZR-1s (as well as standard C4 Corvettes) came with proximity remote fobs - a.k.a. Passive keyless entry. I’m wondering if you lock/unlock the door with PKE remote, if VAT will still malfunction I just use the key to unlock. But it never happens any other time. __________________ 1995 ZR1 #159 Ported,Corsa,4.10 Rear, Dual Disc RAM Clutch, Alum Flywheel, Haibeck Chip, ZFDoc Plates, Relocated Battery 400 rwhp 1992 ZR1 #280 Ported, Locked Secondary's, Flowmaster Exhaust, Haibeck Chip, 375rwhp 1996 Collectors LT4 (Stock) 1972 Convertible 434 Small Block 572 rwhp

01-28-2020	#6
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,708	Re: Crazy VATS Problem The fact that it started in that same spot 1hr later would tend to eliminate the power line hypothesis IMO. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX

01-28-2020	#7
conesare2seconds Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Greater St. Louis Posts: 490	Re: Crazy VATS Problem It’s the gym. I’m kidding. My car stranded me every darn time I took it to the gym, too. I took to carrying a jump pack. Anyway, two thoughts. First, if you are using two sets of mats take one set out and see if there is any difference. You might not be able to depress the clutch pedal fully with a second set. Second, your starter might need a new solenoid or you might need a new starter. If the car starts with a jump it points to the starter, assuming your battery is good.

01-29-2020	#8
KJL Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 234	Re: Crazy VATS Problem haha.....another reason to just not go!! She always starts at the local Tavern! __________________ 1995 ZR1 #159 Ported,Corsa,4.10 Rear, Dual Disc RAM Clutch, Alum Flywheel, Haibeck Chip, ZFDoc Plates, Relocated Battery 400 rwhp 1992 ZR1 #280 Ported, Locked Secondary's, Flowmaster Exhaust, Haibeck Chip, 375rwhp 1996 Collectors LT4 (Stock) 1972 Convertible 434 Small Block 572 rwhp

01-29-2020	#9
secondchance Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: McLean, VA Posts: 3,723	Re: Crazy VATS Problem Next time the car is not starting take a look at the volt gauge on the instrument panel as to turn the key to start position. If the needle drops, I would suspect starter failure. Do you know how old the starter is?

01-29-2020	#10
DRM500RUBYZR-1 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mullica Hill, New Jersey Posts: 2,593	Re: Crazy VATS Problem Well, that is an excellent solution to the problem. Skip the gym, and have a burger and a beer at the tavern instead. OK,OK, put lettuce on the burger for health reasons...................... Or go with fruits and vegetables instead by ordering either a Bloody Mary or a Screwdriver. If it is EM field interference, that would be confusing to the PKE system, which even if the VATS were circumvented, might signal the CCM to interrupt the starter circuit. Your PKE continues to work even though you are not activating it with the FOB. You should read your manual to see if your locking method is activating it, which would then explain it's "confusion" with the EM field it might be "seeing". There are I believe two antennas that search for signals for the PKE. The manual will also review how the security light will appear through each method of locking and unlocking. The CCM expects things in a certain sequence. If it receives information out of sequence it can interpret it as a theft. The VATS "workaround" only sends the CCM s signal that the key was of the proper ohms for the car / CCM. Other theft symptoms such as door opening, would not be affected by the VATS eliminator. Are you sure that when this happens at the gym that it is different from when the starter engages but does not spin on first try? Again, keep us posted on progress. Marty