You are here:

Cadillac Repair/99 Cadillac DeVille Starting Disabled

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/28/2009


Question
I am experiencing the same problem that a previous owner wrote about. The problem is the starting disabled on a 1999 Cadillac DeVille. I read your response to the problem. I was wandering if you could provide a diagram assisting me to under the by pass wiring. Also I would like to know what is an average price to have this fixed. Finally, I didn't check the fuse; could you advise exactly which fuse to check.

Thanks
Rev.

Answer
Hello,

There are no such factory diagrams to bypass this so-called anti-theft system. Antiquated and problematic for the owner, GM had the nerve to use this system for 20 years.

This system is more anti-owner than anti-theft.





Measure the key with an ohm meter to determine resistance value. Once this is determined, go to any after market alarm store and ask if they will sell you a VATS bypass kit. The kit comes with any alarm with remote start capablilities. Go under the dash and cut the two very small wires (white with orange sheath) below the steering column. Insert correct resistor between the two cut wires on the other side of the steering column, use connectors and tape.

The vehicle's computer now thinks the correct key is being used everytime.

You should now have a hidden starter disable switch installed.

The general warning however is that if your car is stolen and a theft claim is turned in, the insurance company will not honor the claim because according to them and their experts, the vehicle with VATS is unstealable. They are idiots and corrupt, but you can tell them you bypassed the system and they don't care.

I have defended many insureds in these instances. Worse yet, they sometimes find some ignorant prosecutor and charge insureds with fraud in these cases.

As for cost to bypass, should be less than $100.

Rob  

Cadillac Repair

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.