Electronics Need help wiring something up? Thinking of adding an electrical component to your car? Need help troubleshooting that wiring glitch?

Mystery Boxes!

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Old 02-08-2008, 05:57 AM
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Mystery Boxes!

i found some weird boxes i have no clue what they are.
i know one is the ECM since im running TBI.
im going to be running a Carb when i do my engine swap. which will be fairly soon.
i wont need the ECM. but im wondering about the other boxes. do i need them? what are they for?

here are the photos

this says pass key on it. what is a pass key?


Old 02-08-2008, 07:01 AM
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Re: Mystery Boxes!

The pass-key box is part of the VATS system I think. In the second pic, the biggest one is the ECM...I assume you knew that. The other one...not sure. Where was it located? Over on the pass side near the ECM? It could be the body control module (BCM)... That would be my guess.

J.
Old 02-08-2008, 08:04 AM
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Re: Mystery Boxes!

Yes, the black box is the VATS box.
If you're taking it out of the car completely, it helps to tape your old key to it. Or at least measure the resistance of the key pellet and put a post-it note on the box.

Can you take a picture of the sticker on the left metal box? What does it say?

Lou
Old 02-08-2008, 01:38 PM
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Re: Mystery Boxes!

what is a VAT system??
im going to be running my car for the stip only so do i really need it?
and also same with the pass key box?
i found some more little boxes im not to sure of.
i found one that was yellow and said sparkplug on it. i seem to missplaced that one. im not to sure where it is. is it nesseasary to have as well? ill try to find it.

i tryed to take some photos of the sticke on the 2nd biggest box. but keeps turning out all grainy and fuzzy. (cheap camera)
and yes it was located on the passeger side near the ECM.
here are the numbers on the box tho.

SERV. NO. 1228874
?11221 K191940878

16081221

||||||||||| (<--Barcode)
*AI1221k191940878*

thats what it says on the sticker on the 2nd box.
the question mark is i dont know. its to hard to read with that foam on there.
it eather a 1, or an I.
Old 02-09-2008, 09:44 AM
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Re: Mystery Boxes!

VATS = Vehicle Anti-Theft System
It is tied to the ECM and the ignition cylinder. If somebody tries to start your car without the right key (with a screwdriver, let's say), the car won't start.

If you're getting completely rid of the ECM, you don't need the VATS box then.

The 1228874 number on the smaller metal box indicates that it's the airbag module. You might want to keep it if you're keeping your steering wheel.

Hope this helps.
Lou
Old 02-09-2008, 04:32 PM
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Re: Mystery Boxes!

hey thanks so much for the info!
i wasnt sure what to do if i was going to screw up the electrial if i removed anything.
thank you
Old 02-21-2010, 09:09 PM
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Re: Mystery Boxes!

there should also be another box under the dash. it has the letters AC on it. if your not sure what it is, its for cruise control.
Old 02-22-2010, 06:45 AM
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Re: Mystery Boxes!

Haha I think we need to make the year in bold or larger than the rest of the post date. Any way to make that happen admin??

J.
Old 02-22-2010, 07:57 AM
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Re: Mystery Boxes!

it's the DERM
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