Security has me locked out of 98 firebird

Asked by Guru9T47ZV Mar 13, 2021 at 04:44 PM about the 1998 Pontiac Firebird Formula

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Vehicle has set for 9 yrs
Fresh gas and oil
New battery
Vehicle ran fine when parked but security has me locked out
Lights work but tumblers roll over to silence
Can system be bypassed,reset or what to continue reviving this machine?

1 Answer

154,865

You have the VATS security system. There's two tiny wires inside of the ignition lock cylinder that must contact the chip on the ignition key so the computer knows you're using the correct key to start the engine. I suspect that from sitting the wires in the lock cylinder are corroded and not making contact with the chip on the ignition key. Try spraying some electric contact cleaner in the lock cylinder. Then slide the ignition key in and out of the lock several times. Hopefully that'll get you going. But if not you'll need to unplug the connector for the lock cylinder at the lower end of the steering column under the dash. You'll see a black wire and a white wire inside of an orange covering. Measure the resistance value of the chip on the ignition key. Insert the ignition key into the lock and measure the resistance value across the two wires you unplugged at the bottom of the steering column. The resistance value should be exactly the same as the resistance value of the chip on the key. If it's not, which it probably won't be, you need to replace the ignition lock cylinder. Here's where it gets a little tricky. The new lock will come with a template for cutting new VATS keys. The template will not start the engine. Since you have the resistance value of the original ignition key you can use the chart below to get the correct VATS keys, use the template to have the new VATS key blanks cut, and you'll be able to start the engine. Hope that helps! Jim

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

1998 Pontiac Firebird

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Samuel Moore
    Reputation
    1,590
  • #2
    taver91
    Reputation
    1,320
  • #3
    Paul Martin
    Reputation
    1,270
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Camaro
549 Great Deals out of 10,090 listings starting at $2,000
Used Ford Mustang
895 Great Deals out of 24,130 listings starting at $1,800
Used Chevrolet Corvette
693 Great Deals out of 12,039 listings starting at $4,995
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
3,993 Great Deals out of 130,168 listings starting at $2,450
Used Ford F-150
5,926 Great Deals out of 119,221 listings starting at $1,995
Used Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
13 Great Deals out of 154 listings starting at $6,995
Used Toyota Supra
30 Great Deals out of 550 listings starting at $34,990
Used GMC Sierra 1500
1,852 Great Deals out of 60,570 listings starting at $3,495
Used Pontiac Grand Prix
161 listings starting at $1,500
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
1,061 Great Deals out of 19,920 listings starting at $2,264

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.