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Question
Hi, I have a 1992 Cadillac Sedan deVille touring edition. It will start every time for multiple times and then won't start for several tries. It has been at the shop for six weeks now & they have tried a new ignition, a new switch, reprogram, new security module & of course the obvious starter itself, no frayed wires, etc. Nothing works!!! They have tried a work around & it refuses to let them in any way, shape, or form, correct the starting. They CAN NOT figure out what in the world they can do to fix it period. So, basically, any and all insight from your knowledge of this issue/solution to it would be so appreciated. Thank you so much! :)
Hello,
Sounds like a lot of very expensive guess work. I won't normally deal with problems like this because they are expensive chasing ghosts.
These were notorious for broken wires in the ignition lock harness. You would never see the break in these small wires. You say they changed the ignition but that could be the mechanical lock cylinder, the electrical ignition switch (different) or a whole host of improperly coined terms.
If you want to eliminate the VATS all together go to an alarm store to have it done. They get the VATS bypass kits in every alarm with remote start.
I would recommend if you do that, get a starter kill because it is less than 30 seconds to defeat the column and old cars are stolen all the time.
That is one known common problem that most these techs have no clue on.
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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