bypassing VATS Starter relay?
#1
bypassing VATS Starter relay?
Is there any issue with just putting a jumper across the VATS Starter relay so that it's always active? I assume this is just a pulsed signal that the car needs at startup? Mine has been flaky for years, and today it just flat died. I pulled it down in the middle of a parking lot and discovered that one of the sockets on the harness plug is messed up, and that's probably what's causing my problems. I jumped the harness plug with a paper clip to be able to start the car and get it home, and rather than deal with replacing the relay and the harness plug, can I just tie the two large wires together permanently, or is that going to cause the moon to spin out of orbit and crash into Earth?
#4
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Re: bypassing VATS Starter relay?
I've had mine jumpered for a year with no problems, I figured it was ok because the circuit is only hot in Start. I used the same gauge wire as the ones I was jumping, and I secured it in place on the plug with 2 zipties so it can't be bumped.
#5
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Re: bypassing VATS Starter relay?
I'm not 100% sure, but mostly sure there is no safety interlock on that relay to keep starter from engaging while engine is running, so bypassing it is no less safe than stock. The manual trans clutch interlock will still work. I don't know about the auto trans gear position interlock, I've never looked at that wiring.
The only reason that relay exists is to give the anti-theft module the ability to interrupt the starter crank if the resistor in the key doesn't match what's expected.
The only reason that relay exists is to give the anti-theft module the ability to interrupt the starter crank if the resistor in the key doesn't match what's expected.
#6
Re: bypassing VATS Starter relay?
I'm not 100% sure, but mostly sure there is no safety interlock on that relay to keep starter from engaging while engine is running, so bypassing it is no less safe than stock. The manual trans clutch interlock will still work. I don't know about the auto trans gear position interlock, I've never looked at that wiring.
The only reason that relay exists is to give the anti-theft module the ability to interrupt the starter crank if the resistor in the key doesn't match what's expected.
The only reason that relay exists is to give the anti-theft module the ability to interrupt the starter crank if the resistor in the key doesn't match what's expected.
Thanks for the help all! I bypassed it and it's working good. Curiously, while I was under there, I also saw another 2 wire connector with a large gauge purple & green wires that was disconnected and jumpered. I've got to go through the schematics and figure out what the hell that is. I've owned this car since 2000 and never noticed it until now.
#7
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Re: bypassing VATS Starter relay?
Jumpered those wires 2 years ago or so and no issues, just be sure to use good thick wire to do it.
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#8
Re: bypassing VATS Starter relay?
Also bear in mind that unless the VATS flag is turned off in the programming jumping the start enable relay may not provide satisfactory results. The ECM needs to receive a square-wave input to enable injector pulses.
#9
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Re: bypassing VATS Starter relay?
Curiously, while I was under there, I also saw another 2 wire connector with a large gauge purple & green wires that was disconnected and jumpered. I've got to go through the schematics and figure out what the hell that is. I've owned this car since 2000 and never noticed it until now.
Last edited by OrangeBird; 06-03-2022 at 05:47 PM.
#10
Re: bypassing VATS Starter relay?
sweet. I just assumed that the clutch switch being backed off on the pedal was why it would crank with the clutch out. I should replace that switch and connect it back into the circuit.
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