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Cadillac Repair/starting disabled because of theft deterrent system
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Question
Cadillac El Dorado 1991 (4.9 EFI):
I would get that message through the console viewer and then it would say "WAIT 3 MINUTES." After the 3 minute mark, it would display a message "Start the Car". I would attempt to turn the ignition on but it will not engage; instead, it re-displays the "starting disabled..." message again, and would say "WAIT 3 MINUTES." I have 2 keys with resistor chips on them; I only use the original when I have to. For my daily driving, I use what I believe is the copy with a resistor chip in it. Today, I used the original key and it still will not engage and just re-displays the same message.
Is there anyway to disable the theft deterrent system? What should I do to get the starter to engage. I tried using the door keys (2 of them, one for each door) and leaving them in place prior to getting into the vehicle and waiting for the 3 minute/Start the Car message to see if that would trip it, but it still doesn't work. I've checked my fuses and all of them are intact. I've tried leaving the key in the ignition for about 10 minutes (supposedly the system can learn what is on the chip if this was done ((I read this in some website)) ). Currently, I cannot move the vehicle [since I cannot get it to start.)
Any help or advise you can throw my way will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Manuel G. Jimenez
Hi Manny,
The most common problem with this so-called anti-theft system is that two small wires that run through the steering column uo to the ignition lock that contacts with the resistor in the key break. This is very, very very common!!!!!!!
You can pay a ridiculous sum of money to have the ignition lock assy changed for a problem that is just going to show up again, or you can bypass it altogether.
Its bypassed by installing a resistor under the dash basically lying to the computer that sees the proper key every time.
If you do this though, you need to install a HIDDEN starter kill because you no longer have protection for theft on your car.
Do not assume thieves don't steal old cars. They steal anything.
As for leaving the ignition in the ON position for 10 min on the VATS, there is no effect as you found.
Rob
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Rob Painter
Expertise
Alarm system questions cannot be answered on this forum. These systems are not what I can answer. Without being physically at the vehicle and not knowing what kind of electrical service has been done on the vehicle, there is no possible way to give an accurate answer over the internet. My expertise is in Ignition/key based anti-theft systems. These issues include GM VATS (resistor chip in key blade) PASSLOCK (MRD)-ignition lock rotation based, no special ignition key and the PKIII Transponder (computer chip in key) systems. These systems are not alarm based and are integral with the starting of the engine. This is why I cannot diagnose alarm problems without physically looking at the vehicle: Alarm systems are a completely different annimal than ignition key/lock based anti-theft system. Many alarm questions come from vehicles 10 years old, and since older, many hands that had been involved over the years.I am an expert in all GM factory (ignition/key based)systems. Alarm system questions pose to many situations beyond my knowledge as to what has been done to the vehicle over the years. Some guy may have actually wired the stereo into the alarm system. Who knows? Over my past 30 years in vehicle wiring repair, I have seen unbelievable wiring disaters done by guys that consider themselves "mechanics." I have seen stereos and alarms intalled using surgical tape. I have seen modules burn up, un-fused circuits, wiring jambed between the doors and even lamp cord used for a starter kill. To answer alarm questions over the internet without examining the vehicle is like asking; What does it take to remove a dent?
Experience
Education/Credentials-ASE certified. 11 years with a GM dealer and 17 years with a repair facility dealing with only the repair of theft recovered vehicles.
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