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Cadillac Repair/2004 Cadillac Deville used wrong key in ignition

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Expert: - 6/19/2010


Question
I used the wrong key - key did not go into ignition, security light went on. I read the manual, looks like system shut down. The correct key will not go into ignition. It's my in-law's car, they're visiting from out of state.  HELP! Thank you so much, Denise

Answer
Hello,

Sorry I could not get back to you sooner, but like many other fathers I had things going on this weekend.

I haven't any idea as to what you did here besides possibly damage the tumblers in the ignition lock. You need to contact al local locksmith to repair or replace the lock.

There is nothing in the ignition lock cylinder itself that has anything to do with the pj III transponder or factory alarm that could set off the security light damaging the system by inserting the wrong key.

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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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