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Cadillac Repair/90 Deville Theft Deterrant System

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Expert: - 3/3/2010


Question
I have a 90 Sedan Deville 4.5 which is the first year that offers the Theft Deterrent System which what i am having a problem with. Recently the security light is no longer coming on and the car will not start. The battery is good and the alternator is getting and sending out power and there are no blown fuses and the car wants to start(clicks when you turn the key) however nothing even starts to crank to start the car. Is there any suggestions that you can think of that will get my car operational again?

Answer
Hello,

The VATS has been an antiquated, problematic piece of GM garbage for 19 years. As you know, electronics are good for 6 months before obsolete. GM ran the same system for 19 years!!!!!

The most common problem is that the VATS wires break in the column causing the engine to start at times. Try tilting the steering column, running it through the gears etc. You might find the engine will start. You will need a new lock cylinder assy. Cost from a dealer is $500 and from a locksmith $250 with the same exact parts. DO NOT try replacing the steering column which will just exastrabate the problem.

If you get it running, go to an alarm store and have them install the VATS bypass kit. They through these things out because they come with every remote start.

Have the system bypassed. They know how.

Now, you have no protection. It is 30 seconds to peel the steering column to steal it. They steal old cars all the time and don't think they don't.

After bypassed have a HIDDEN starter disable switch put in. That way if they break the column, they are not driving off with the car.

Good Luck!

Rob

Cadillac Repair

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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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