Holden:Vehicle Anti-Theft System

Overview

The Vehicle Anti-Theft System or VATS is a term used by (General Motors)[1] to refer to immobilizer systems commonly built into GM vehicles. The VATS system is typically comprised of hardware within the vehicle key as well as software that exists within various modules. The modules commonly known to be required for VATS operation include the Power-train Control Module (PCM) Body Control Module (BCM) and optionally the Power-train Interface Module (PIM) present in specific V8 models.

On startup

The role of VATS is to verify by electronic means that the correct key has been inserted, ruling out the possibility that the mechanical locking mechanism has been circumvented.