vats bypassing problem

It definitely sounds like your bypass is crapping out. Could be a bad resistor, relay or a faulty connection. I use the Periphial variable resistors. They cost a little more but they are great and it's worth it for me to have all the resistors I need in one piece. They also hook up to a relay alot better. Test across the chip in your key with a volt meter and then measure the resistor you put in on start up with your r/s. If that is good go from there. I have found though 9 out of 10 times it's a bad connection.