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Question
Hello. I think I have a problem with the security/key for my '90 sedan deville. When I try to start it, everything goes on until the key is in the start position. Then, nothing. The battery seems fine. I read earlier Earnest saying something about "3 min mode" What is this, and is it something I should try? If not, what next? Thanks, Tim
Hello,
Before changing a starter, which so many people do for nothing, there is a good chance there is a problem with the vats anti theft system.
The two thin wires for the system that are attached to the ignition lock break internally and engine will not start.
GM charges up to $500 for a new ignition lock. I will tell you how to fix this problem if the VATS is the issue, which is very common.
As goofy as this test sounds, it may get you running good enough to take the car to a alarm store. They have extra VATS bypass kits because they come in every alarm that has remote start. Commonly thrown away or kept (both scenarios, so you have to call around), they can put in a bypass resistor to eliminate the VATS.
Once this is done, have them install a hidden starter kill switch composed of a harness and a toggle or some hidden starter disable.
the reason is, thieves steal any car all the time and the age is not important. Your steering column can be defeated in 30 seconds with a screwdriver and its gone! Not even gone in 60 seconds!
Try tilting the column in different positions and try starting. This may get the broken wires together momentarily to start.
The three minute warning was on 1994 and later models, not on the VATS one which you have.
If you have problems contact me through my website.
Good luck!
http://www.autotheftexpert.com
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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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