84 CORVETTE ANTI THEFT

[BARRY MURPHY]

PLEASE HELP ! I PURCHASED AN 84 CORVETTE THAT HAD A LOCKED UP 350
ENGINE THAT AFETR TRYING EVERYTHING HUMANLY POSSIBLE COULDNT BREAK THIS ENGINE FREE. THE PERSON I PURCHASED FROM HAD LITTLE TO SAY ABOUT THE VEHICLE SEEING HOW I GOT IT FOR A LOW PRICE. ANYWAY
I HAVE SINCE PULLED THIS ENGINE AND FOUND ONE LOCALLY FROM A WRECKED 84 WITH 50,000 MILES AND PUT IN THIS CAR. MY PROBLEM IS THE
SECURITY LIGHT ON THE DISPLAY IS ON (BLINKING) AND IF I PLUG THE HORNS IN THEY OF COURSE BLOW AND I KNEW NOTHING OF THE ALARM SYSTEM IN THE FIRST PLACE NOR DOES MY CHILTON OR HAYNES MANUALS COVER THIS HARDLY AT ALL. THE KEYS I GOT FROM THE SELLER HAVE NO
CHIP OR ANYTHING FOR THAT MATTER AND I CANT EVEN GET THE MOTOR TO TURN OVER WITH THE IGNITION BUT HAVE TRIED A MANUAL STARTER BUTTON AND VEHICLE IS GETTING SPARK AND SEEMS LIKE IS GOING TO START BUT NEVER ACTUALLY CRANKS AND RUNS. PLEASE PLEASE ! ANY SUGGESTIONS ? I WILL PURCHASE WHATEVER I NEED TO FINISH THIS PROJECT WHETHER IT BE A NEW IGNITION AND KEYS OR WHATEVER I MIGHT CAN DO TO OVERRIDE. I WOULD SO MUCH LOVE TO DRIVE THIS BABY BUT ALL I CAN DO NOW THAT I HAVE PUT HER BACK TOGETHER IS SIT IN IT AND MAKE ENGINE NOISES... ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL. THANK YOU ! BARRY MURPHY BEAUTIFUL BROOKS GEORGIA
BNMSR@AOL.COM 770-460-8925 FAX 770-460-2980

[Chuck S.]

Re: 84 CORVETTE ANTI THEFT

Your best bet, unless someone knows specifically about the 84 alarm, is to buy the factory service manual. Later cars had a resistor pellet in the key that made contact inside the ignition switch, satisfying the alarm/anti-system, and permitting the starter to operate.

Virtually everybody that owned a C4 had bad experiences with the key pellet getting dirty or not making good contact, and quickly emasculated the alarm/antitheft system...they didn't like being left standing beside the road with their beautiful Corvette. In fact, the problem was so bad that vendors sell kits to bypass the early C4 alarm/anti-theft systems.

On my 87, the alarm/anti-theft system was buried behind the center of the dashboard. It had already been "fixed", and I wanted to get it working again. I found where all this trouble came from, but I never figured out what they did to "fix" it.

[David D.]

Re: 84 CORVETTE ANTI THEFT

Barry,

I believe the security system is activated and shut off by the driver side door lock. If one of the keys (round head) you got from the seller, will lock and unlock the driver's door, you should be able to shut off the alarm. Dave

[Wayne W.]

Re: 84 CORVETTE ANTI THEFT

84s did not have the key pellet. The control for the unit is behind the center of the dash over the radio. It should reset itself if it is working correctly and the door switches are working. You should check all switches on doors hood etc. for proper operation. One of them or the anti-tampering switches may be signaling the alarm control. If the control is set off it will disable the starter and the FI. I have an 84 manual, but it is at the shop. I will dig it up if you want.

[Jim T.]

Re: 84 CORVETTE ANTI THEFT

Barry I agree with the post above. Just use the door key and cycle the lock and the security light should go off and you should be able to start your 84.

[Les Jacobs]

Re: 84 CORVETTE ANTI THEFT

I had an 85, and the security system could be disabled by removing one fuse from the panel by the passenger side door. (I have forgoten which one ) Don't know if 84 is the same, but if so you could at least pull it and start her up.

[Joe C.]

Re: 84 CORVETTE ANTI THEFT

Barry:

The VATS (Vehicle Anti Theft System) with the pellet in the key, did not start until 1987. Your engine swap has nothing to do with your alarm system problem. Follow the good advice, and buy the Service Manual for your car, available from Helm (www.helminc.com).
Gordon Killebrew is the undisputed C4 electrical guru. He has a consulting service which is not gratis.

Joe