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Cadillac Repair/1997 Cadillac deville d'legance
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Question
1 week ago my cadillac started showing messages on the dash
theft device problem; service airbag; car may not restart and the defroster stays on (can't shut it off) my car did this about 7 months ago and i thought maybe the remote starter we had placed in the car is messing with the anti theft system - well i brought the car to where the remote was installed and whatever they did all seemed well unitl a week ago - i brought the car to the facility where the remote was installed and they can seem to figure out why my car is doing what it is they even took the remote out. the tech unhooked the battery thinking the computer would reset itself but now the car will not stay started - she starts but only runs for 5 seconds and shuts off - can you help
i am so upset and stranded
Hello,
There is nothing I can do for you. I have no idea of what these guys did, or if the problem is caused by a factory computer problem.
When the remote start was added, the so-called anti-theft was bypassed and played no role as to the other problems you had 7 months ago.
These alarm techs know nothing about these computerized systems and that disconnecting and reattaching the battery cable won't reset the system.
What you need to understand is that the anti-theft system only works on the start circuit. Once the engine is running it will not stall.
You are left with only one option. Have the car towed to Cadillac so that they can put a scanner on it and possibly detect the problems.
I don't think the alarm installers did anything wrong on the install of the remote start, but I don't know if they screwed something up by fiddling with it.
If you had not had the remote start installed, and these lights came on, then you might have taken to the dealer for diagnoses. Now, you have a big mess because you don't know who did what.
Good luck!
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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