I have a 1991 Firebird and lost the key, i had a key made from the dealer and the dealer could not find the vats key code said it didnt have one, so he cut a key to the specs provided by gm and the key wont even turn the ignition, how do i get the code or find another way to start the car.

you can get that info from dealer with last eight of vin

call a locksmith he will hook you and your wallet up.

does your ignition key have a small black chip in the key with a little metal contact on it? if it does and your no start is due to lack of fuel the factory security (V.A.T.S.) may have failed. does the fuel pump run at all when you turn the key on if your key does not have the chip in it? do you have spark at the plugs?

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, Try a spare key that is newer or used less. The pins wear down and so do the keys causing security fail. 2nd 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 shutting down while running, im sorry i have no quick fix... If anything on this page helps you, please remember to comment or give me a thumbs up on the myfixya sight so i can have a better rating to help more people on this. Thanks

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. 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. If you do buy this, please purchase it thru this link. The cost is the same, but i get credit for the sale and im trying to earn my money back, as you will be able to do if you buy fron NewRockies and join the free affiliate program. Thanks
----- 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
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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
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Isuzu
1998-2000 Hombre
2005-2006 I280/I350
2007-2008 I290/I370
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Cars/Vans
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Isuzu
2003-2007 Ascender
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1994-2003 Grand Prix
1998-1999 Montana
2006 Torrent
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1988-1999 Bonneville
1988-2002 Firebird
1995-2005 Sunfire
1996-2002 Trans Am
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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)
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Oldsmobile
1996-1998 Achieva
1999-2004 Alero
1994-2004 Aurora
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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
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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
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Cadillac
1986-1993 Allante
1982-1996 Fleetwood
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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
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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

the old key might be for the immoberlizer as well if it has one so you will not be turning the immoberlizer off if it is coded to the key

It is located above th glove box you will need to take the upper dash pad off and the glove box asbly out and the module is attached to the dash reinforcement at the top of the glove box vats modules very rarely go bad it could be the ing lock cylinder ck for contanuity of the 2 wires at the bottom of the steering column in the orange insulation with the key in the lock cylinder and ohm meter across the 2 wires you should get an ohm reading then turn the lock cylinder and if the wiring goes to open the wires are broken and the lock cylinder needs to be replaced.

sorry you need the correct thing dealer only

i would get the correct key... most locksmiths carry the GM keys

The VATS system has 15 possible ohmic variations in the key .One might use an ohm meter and measure the resistance in your key as this is simply a resistor producing an ohmic value which must match the resistance value the VATS module wants to see. There is a 2 wire key reader in the ignition cylinder that sends this signal to the VATS module looking for a match.One may surf the web and see ways to bypass VATS but I have never tried this and its is fairly sophisticated process which requires an accurate DVOM meter that reads OHMS

had the same problem, hired an auto locksmith who simply read the VAT code with a code find meter and he simply made a key , problem solved for 125.00