VATS System Fix

During the years, each vehicle manufacturer has developed their own anti-theft functionality to prevent stealing. As many vehicle company learned, some models became very popular among thieves which encouraged the companies to think of different ways to avoid having their models being labeled as an easy target. Some manufacturers started using the common transponder key system in the mod 90's which made it a little difficult on locksmith technician servicing vehicles equipped with that system. GM had a different version which called VATS system which had a similar function, but caused many issues as the vehicle got older leaving locksmith technicians scratching their head looking for a solution.

A while back I remember getting a call from a customer who was experiencing some issues with the ignition of his 1998 Camaro. According to the customer, the issue just started happening intermittently where the vehicle would normally start and other times it won't. I didn't got to service many of these types of GM models, but I assume the problem would be with the ignition switch that would probably need to be replaced. After discussing the solution with the customer, I started heading his way.

Once I got to the customer's address and had a chance to look inside the vehicle attempting to start the vehicle myself, I noticed that the security light was on. I then pulled my diagnostic equipment from the van and hooked it up to the vehicle and the information I got pointed to an issue with the VATS system of the vehicle. According to my diagnostics equipment the wiring between the ignition and the OBD connector seem to be broken which the only solution for that was to replace the wiring.

At that point I had to call a Boise locksmith co worker of mine for some help regarding the procedure since I never had to go through VATS system wiring repair before. He mentioned I would have to disassemble part of the steering column in order to "fish" the old wiring out and the new one in. After carefully following my co worker instruction, I was able successfully install the new wiring and start the vehicle without any further issues.

Office Type Mortise Lock

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Daewoo Key Make

Originating a key for a vehicle can be done in several ways by a locksmith technician. In addition, most locksmith technicians should have guides and literature the normally would help identify the best way to make a key for a certain model and give additional info regrading the correct blank to be used. Unfortunately, there were many times where I followed the guides only to end up scratching my had to try and figure out why a key I made did not work.

Something that normally doesn't happen, but did happen few times in the past was me getting a call from a dealership to make a key for a 2000 Daewoo. I knew this type of model was Korean made. And although there were not very popular, you could still find those around the U.S. Since the dealership was not familiar with that model, but needed a key to sell it since one of their attendants lost it, they decided to call a locksmith (me). Before heading to the dealership, I reviewed the guides making sure I had the correct blanks in stock which surprisingly I had since they could have been used for other models as well.

Once I got to the dealership, the first thing I needed to do was review the guide again to find the best way to get a code in order to originate the key. According to the guide, taking out the trunk cylinder would have been the easiest way. As always, the guide did not disappoint, and I had the trunk cylinder out in no time. There wafers in the cylinder were all numbered which made it very easy originating the key.

After the key was ready finally, I went to test it and failed to work. for some reason I could burly insert the key. I went ahead and made another one, but it seemed to fail operating any of the vehicle's locks as well. As a last resort, I gave a call to a Boise locksmith co-worker of mine to see if he was familiar with that type of model vehicle I was servicing. Luckily, he did service few of similar Daewoo models in the past and told me that in this case, the guide was wrong, and the blanks that should be used for that particular vehicle were Suzuki blanks. After quick check in my inventory, I found couple of Suzuki blanks. After about several minuted I had a new key made and successfully tested.

Ignition Switch Service

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