1985 corvette vats system w/o chip in key need to bypass

Usually there is the lock cylinder and ignition switch, two different components.
I'd imagine, removing the steering column is just nuts and bolts, plus wiring connectors.
Are you going to reuse steering column or replace it?
If new column, you may probably need a new lock cylinder, a new key usually comes with lock cylinder. Then I'd be concerned about your security system, where applicable. If vats security system there is info all over the internet bypassing the pellet in the key.

It is just the two wires at the base of the steering column, but you have to emulate the key for the system to work. You will need to register the ohms of the chip in the original key and make yourself a resistor to bridge the connection.

The security light would come on after making an attempt to start it.
The weak link in the VATS is the ignition lock. It has two small wires and they move when ever the lock cylinder is turned (to on or start...).

You can see where the wires break,


If you have a multi meter you can test it without taking much apart.
Measure the resistance of the chip in the key (touch a test lead to each of the sides of the chip)
Note the resistance.
Remove the trim panel under the drivers side of the dash.
Locate the wires and small black plug,


Unplug it and with the key in the ignition lock (does not need to be turned on or anything) measure the resistance between the two wires at the plug (the wires on the column side both white, black or yellow. Not the wires on the harness side).
The resistance should be the same or very, very close to the resistance of the key chip. If the resistance is too high or infinate then you have a break in those wires (note the top image).

You can cut the wires off the column, solder resistors that equal the keys chip (its actualy a resistor) to the wires and plug that back into the main harness. This is NOT a VATS bypass as many on the net believe. It simply bypasses the weak link, the lock cylinder. The VATS module is still in use. Though with this bypass, there is no security from the VATS (Vehicle Anti Theft System).
Or you can purchase a new lock cylinder. It will come with a key and you will then need to make a copy of the new key but with a blank that has the proper resistance.


If you do go with a new lock cylinder I also did a write up (with images) here not long ago for a person with another 89 that had a bad lock cylinder. You can search for that or let me know and I will write it up again.

does your key have a black pellet at the base? if so try a new key! must have the pellet in it! if problem is still there after that! the ingition cylinder needs to be replace!

On a 2002 impala, the switch bypass will not work. The switch bypass originated on the VATS antitheft system which was the predecessor to the system your car has now. Your car has the Passlock system, this system runs off of transponder in your key. On the old Vats system you could read the ohms resistance of the chip in the key, and then recreate that same resistance in the steering column. Thus bypassing the ignition and key. Your system is more complicated. Think about it like this, if a criminal wanted to steal your car, he would rip off the steering column to hot write the ignition. But your car has that anti theft, so it wouldn't start. Wouldn't it be a little too convenient if the Antitheft wires were also right there and all he had to do was twist them together? They learned that lesson on the vats system. Check out this link for info and some "do it yourself" solutions to fix this problem yourself forever. http://vatspasslockpasskeysecurityhelp.yolasite.com/

It's when the security light starts flashing that the infamous "chip" in the key becomes a nightmare to many. Gradually the car begins not cranking anymore or if it cranks it would start and die in a second. Randomly it will do this more and more often until it won't start anymore. VATS, PASSkey and Passlock immobilizer systems are killing cars all over North America, they have a short lifespan and are certainly more effective against owners than thieves. Here is how you save your car
1st trick, (if not starting) turn the key forward 2 clicks till right before it would normally start, leave like that for 10 minutes. ( no less ) After 10 minutes, turn key back then forward and your car might start. I did this in my regal for more than a year. If its shuting down while running, im sorry i have no quick fix...

Cheap fix: Bypass the chip in your key. Temporary, but effective. Until the TDM (theft deterrent module) in the dash poops out, then you're kinda screwed. I was told that these types of key security systems have a 7-10 year life span. Sucks for us. This link explains the "Key Issue" pretty well.
----- http://vats.likeabigdog.com/


Never worry again fix: Bypass the whole VATS/Passlock/passkey I or passkey II system entirely. Literally take it out, and throw it away. I just did this in my Regal. Took about an hour. Took longer to find the thing than it did to fix the problem. For a list of cars effected by this problem. See the NEWROCKIES link on the right side of their page......... They sell a unit for 200 bucks to totally bypass this system FOREVER. life time-money back and all that. Finally did this in my car. Well worth the 200 if you've looked into getting this replaced... Anywhere from 600-1000 bucks.
----- http://newrockies.ca?ap_id=judd0081
----- With this fix, you can take that whole Vats, passlock, passkey **** system out of your car all together. Good info on both sites

It works for:
Any GM or Isuzu Vehicle with VATS or PASSKey or PASSLock security systems.
If your car has the chip in the key or in the lock cylinder, then you can save it with this Full Bypass.
Trucks
.
GMC/Chevy
1998-2006 S10/T10/Sonoma
/Blazer/Jimmy
1998-2007 Suburban/Avalanche
/Tahoe/Yukon
1998-2006 Sierra/Silverado
2002-2008 Trailblazer
2003-2006 SSR
1998-2006 C1500/C2500/C3500
1998-2006 K1500/K2500/K3500
2003-2007 Hummer H2
.
Isuzu
1998-2000 Hombre
2005-2006 I280/I350
2007-2008 I290/I370
.
Cars/Vans
.
Isuzu
2003-2007 Ascender
.
Pontiac
1994-2003 Grand Prix
1998-1999 Montana
2006 Torrent
1996-2005 Grand AM
1994-1998 Trans Sports
1988-1999 Bonneville
1988-2002 Firebird
1995-2005 Sunfire
1996-2002 Trans Am
.
Buick
2004-2007 Rainier
1994-2005 Century
1993-2004 Regal
1982-1999 LeSabre
1991-1996 Park Avenue / Ultra
1994-1996 Roadmaster
1991-1996 Roadmaster Estate Wagon
1982-1999 Riviera
1988-1991 Reatta
1996-1998 Skylark
1982-1990 Electra (all models)
.
Oldsmobile
1996-1998 Achieva
1999-2004 Alero
1994-2004 Aurora
1998-2004 Bravada
1991-1993 Delta 88
1994-1999 Eighty-Eight
1991-1996 Nighty-Eight
1998-2002 Intrigue
1990-1992 Toronado
1994-1997 Cutlass Supreme
1997-1999 Cutlass
1997-1999 LSS/Regency
1997-1999 Silhouette
1991-1996 Custom Cruiser
.
Chevrolet/GMC
1998-2005 Astro/Safari
1998-2008 Envoy
2005-2006 Equinox
1998-2007 Savana/Express
1995-2005 Monte Carlo
1997-1999 Venture
1995-2001 Lumina
1988-2002 Camaro
1995-2005 Cavalier
1982-2004 Corvette
1994-1996 Caprice/Caprice Wagon
1995-1996 Impala SS
2000-2005 Impala
1997-2005 Malibu Classic
1997-2003 Malibu
.
Cadillac
1986-1993 Allante
1982-1996 Fleetwood
1985-1996 Fleetwood Brougham
1992-2004 Seville
1992-2004 SLS/STS
1985-1999 Deville
1994-1999 Deville Concours
1997-1999 Deville D'Elegance
1988-2002 ElDorado
1994-2002 ElDorado Touring
1999-2007 Escalade
.
Saturn
2000 LS/LS1/LS2/LW1/LW2
2001-2002 L100/LW100
2001-2003 L200/LW200
2001-2005 L300/LW300
2004-2005 L-Series
2002-2008 VUE
1996-2002 SL/SL1/SL2
1996-2002 SC1/SC2
1996-2002 SW1/SW2

if the security light is on then it is the VATS system. the ignition switch is fine still.

You can easily bypass the entire VATS system. There is a clear write-up here on this website:http://newrockies.ca. This was the only thing that saved my Park Avenue with the same security system.

the switch on teh back of the ignition lock needs renewing

had this problem with my 1996 buick regal. the vats ( vehical anti theft system) wire broke in my steering column. you can dissasemble the column and re solder the wire back together or you can find out what ohms the "chip" on your key is. take a voltage meter and put it on the ohms setting. place each of the leads of the tester on opposite sides of the chip on the key. this will tell you the resistance of the chip. go to radio shack and buy a resistor of the same ohms range. around $0.99. look under your dash and find the wires that go to the vats system. i think they are orange. cut these wires and solder the resistor to the wires like an inline fuse(not the wires that go to the column, but the wires that go to the vats computer) this will bypass the system and your car will start and run normally.