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Cadillac Repair/Resetting the car when security shuts it down
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Question
Hi Rob,
I think this fits with what you said you can answer. My son was driving my '96 Cadillac Eldorado and reacted wrong when he set off the alarm. My owners manual said that I'd have to take it to the dealer to have the system reset. I had AAA tow it to the one dealer in my fair city. They said that the system would reset itself after 15 minutes unless something else was wrong, but that is not what the owner's manual indicated. Now they want $400 to replace the key cylinder, which they removed "to check the problem" without authorization. How is the security system usually reset after it has disabled the car?
Thanks.
Hi,
You are dealing with two different systems here. The ignition based VATS/PASSKEY that the dealer is trying to gouge you $400 for. The other is the alarm.
A locksmith can install the same exact part that the dealer is for 1/2 the cost.
You state this problem was from an alarm malfuntion. Different system than the ignition based VATS.
To reset alarm, from the driver's seat with the door open, lock the door with the inside button. Close the door. Unlock with the driver's door key.
If that does not work, insert ignition key in lock. Turn to ON for 10 min. Turn off. Turn on 10 min. Turn off and turn on for 10 more min.
This will not reset a bad VATS system with broken wires in the steering column though.
Its not worth putting a new lock cylinder assembly in to only have the wires break again. If you review my answer from yesterday on a bad VATS, I explained how to bypass forever. If you need a copy of this anser, I can supply as well.
Rob
http://www.autotheftexpert.com
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks, Rob. That's what I figured. These folks are known in this town as rip offs, but this is my first experience with them. They got there's from me this time, but never again. I appreciate your advice. | ||
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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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