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What is this connector for?


jandm9002

Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2018
Messages
10
City
Delta B.C.
Vehicle Year
1994
Transmission
Automatic
I have a 1994 Mazda B4000. I can't find anything to tell me what this underdash connector is for. It seems to be labeled ATS.
I'm sure someone on here knows exactly what is for.
 

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Yeah, ATS. "Anti-Theft System".

It is an add-on anti-theft. You pull that key and the engine won't start. My dad had a 93 Chevy vanhad one just like that installed at the dealer. The system in that van was recalled for problems and removed. Maybe yours is from a different manufacturer, but a similar design. The key does look a little different than the one we had.
 
Ah ha! thanks for solving that mystery. Not sure if it is hooked up or not. As shown in the pics when it was glowing green the engine was on and running.
 
Last edited:
Keep in mind that I was born in 86, we bought that van new in 93, and the system was removed sometime around 95 or 96.

But as I remember it, it was a start-inhibit only. So once the engine was running you could pull the key out and it would stay running. They were recalled after a number of them decided they just weren't going to work at all and people couldn't start their cars.

It was probably caused by the contacts on the keys and socket getting worn out. I know we had some minor issues, but we were advised by the dealer to stick the second security key in and leave it in, and we didn't have any more problems until it was removed. I also know that wear on the contacts were what caused GM's Passkey I and II systems to be so problematic.
 
I had one on my 91 Chevy. More trouble to keep up with than keys. The only time I ever took mine out is if I was going to leave my truck parked for long periods. It would not crank if it was out but if it was already running when you pulled it out it would stay running. Chevys were a little more boxy of a key that looked a lot like an OBD plug in. And you had to pull on them to get them out.
 
The Chevy version sounds a little better designed. This one will drop out easily. I can see them getting lost on a regular basis.
 

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