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Cadillac Repair/1997 cadillac catera ignition/starting prob

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Expert: - 8/18/2010


Question
We were having diffuclties removing key from ignition. We finally were
able to get it out, the next day drove fine. Went to start few hours later,
and no resistance in ignition. Did not start, even turn over or click.
Nothing. Then in the off position everything still stayed on.now it has
been sitting with battery out. Any suggestions?

Answer
Hello,

Your question leaves  me with more questions than answers.

When you removed the key, how did you do it? With a pliars? Did you damage the key? Did you damage the lock cylinder? Chances are good both have damage.

It really bothers me when people try to force things.

There are only two reasons the key won't come out. Either a bad lock cylinder or the transmission lever is not fully in park. The latter being the most common. There is a cable from the shifter to the column that commonly stretches and frays.

At this point in time, I would recommend you contact a locksmith to change or repair the lock and key.

Then you need to have a mechnic check and adjust or replace the xable.

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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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