Thread: Car starts up and dies

he probably bent the wrong tab on the relay to check the resistor and didn't fix it :X

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

FATS? GM called it VATS as long as the resistor was in the key. I think 99 was still vats in the GP.

To check the resistor, you can bend one tab on a relay and know for free.

FATS is factory anti-theft system, regardless what the manufacturer calls it. I understand that GM used VATS in this era of cars, but VATS was more about the key than anything. Most anti-theft systems (passlock III or passkey) shut off the fuel pump or injectors shortly after the vehicle is started if the security requirements aren't met - wrong key or otherwise.

I was merely suggesting that perhaps the anti-theft system was acting up, and shutting off fuel shortly after the car was started. I've experienced this in two of my GM vehicles in the past, so I thought it was plausible.

VATS, Passlock II, Passlock III, Transponder keys, Passkey... they are all forms of Factory Anti-Theft Systems (FATS).

edit: glad to hear you got it running.

Bumping an old thread because the car didn't start again today after work. I reread this thread and saw that my issue before was that it was starting and then dying. The fuel pump resistor did fix that problem before.

As for today the car isn't starting at all. It's cranking fine just not turning over. Seems like a fuel issue again but I'm going to guess its the pump. When I get in and turn the key I don't here the humming in the back like I usually do. Also when it's hot I've been hearing it hum a bit.

Any suggestions before I take it to my mechanic tomorrow would be great.

Thanks!

Yeah if you don't hear the fuel pump humming it is probably dead. Go out and smack the bottom of the gas tank with your hand real good a few times and see if it kicks in.