1998 Chevy Lumina

Here the way to bypass the passkey:
First, to make sure you're having a VATS related problem, answer the following questions:

-- When you insert your ignition key and attempt to start the car, will the starter not crank over? Does the "Security" light flash during any time you're attempting to start the car?

If the answer is "YES" to both questions, the simple solution is to first clean off the chip on your key or try another key for the same car. If that also does not work, then follow my instructions for a fast, simple, and relatively inexpensive repair.

**NOTE** After performing the following procedure, your vehicle's factory starter interrupter (VATS) will be disabled. It will be considerably easier for a thief to steal your car.

***Now that being said, I want to stress that I am not an expert on the VATS system, by no means. I simply stumbled across a way to bypass a malfunctioning "reader" in the ignition lock cylinder. On my 92 LeSabre, the wires running from under the dash to the "reader" broke inside the steering column, and I didn't feel like pulling the column apart to fix or replace the lock cylinder. Using a Factory Service Manual, I located the wires in question and created the "resistor pack" to jumper across them.

Just to reiterate: and know nothing more than how to bypass the "reader" in the ignition lock cylinder. I can only give 100% confirmation that this trick works on W-Body and H-Body vehicles. I have never tried the bypass on any Cadillac, Camaro, Riviera, or Corvette VATS system, so they could possibly be slightly different that what I've posted here (and the trick might not work exactly as described.)