theft system problem car may not restart

lukky4u · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-07, 05:19 AM

I have searched this site to see if i could find more info on this topic but did not find much. heres my story. 98 deville - one morning out of the blue...get messages saying starting disabled remove key. after about 2 hrs of searching this sight and going out and trying to start, i was able to get the car started.

but

now the message comes up theft system problem, car may not restart.

from what i was able to search on this site it seems that there are 2 small wires by the ignition in the steering wheel column that may have become brittle and need to be replaced. ....does this make sense ? and if this is the case ....is it a hard repair?

**Ranger** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-07, 12:28 PM

It is possible. Have you tried a spare key? Have you pulled the DTC's?

pnj2108 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-07, 01:23 PM

I agree with Ranger i would try a spare key because i had something like that happen to me and the first thing the guy at the dealer did was check the key because he said the metal contacts on the key chip can be wore out. I would try a spare key first before going and trying to replace the wires.

lukky4u · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-07, 11:38 PM

sounds like a good suggestion...i'll do both

Ramlo1941 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-15-07, 02:14 PM

I hate be the bearer of bad news but the same thing happened to me, the difference being that I could never start mine, new key or not. I took it to the Caddy Dealer here in Cleve, Oh and after $980.00 my Deville started. They replaced the Cluster they told me. Shortly after that, they replaced the same part under the warranty and yet again a third time, go figure. While there the started went while the auto was standing still, I got an idea that this may have been the original problem. One more thing that went wrong while the car was idle in place, the Wiper Motor and now they tell me I need an Alternator. I am not going there anymore and I wish I could report it to someone, I believe they just took my money or at least some of it. Good Luck to you.

cadillac_pimpz · #6 (**permalink**) 10-15-07, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukky4u

I have searched this site to see if i could find more info on this topic but did not find much. heres my story. 98 deville - one morning out of the blue...get messages saying starting disabled remove key. after about 2 hrs of searching this sight and going out and trying to start, i was able to get the car started.

but

now the message comes up theft system problem, car may not restart.

from what i was able to search on this site it seems that there are 2 small wires by the ignition in the steering wheel column that may have become brittle and need to be replaced. ....does this make sense ? and if this is the case ....is it a hard repair?

this happened to me soon after buying my 2000 deville. seems to be a problem with the 2000, but I tried changing the battery and eventually found out it was the security system and the dealership fixed it for like $700-900. It wasn't very fun. hahaha I think it is a computer problem, not a physical problem.

lukky4u · #7 (**permalink**) 10-16-07, 01:14 AM

I tried the other key and had no codes...not sure what to do at this point...it still starts up and runs no problems but still get the same message. is it possible that it really might not restart?

klane · #8 (**permalink**) 12-13-07, 10:07 PM

This is the same warning message I have presently on my car but I have had no problems starting my 99' El Dorado so far. My dealer serviceman said it is the chip in the ignition cylinder that has failed and needs to be replaced. The part was quoted as $100 plus $100 to program 2 new keys. Total cost quoted with labor was around 650 bucks. I told him no thanks. Another mechanic I use from time to time said that he would do the job for $300. I was hoping it was a job I could attempt but after reading the other posts I guess I'll let him do the job.

chubbyranger · #9 (**permalink**) 12-14-07, 05:27 AM

If you have the chips in the keys search on bypassing VATS. If that is your problem the solution can be a $2 resistor and some uncomfortable time upside down wiring under the dash.

479bill · #10 (**permalink**) 12-18-07, 03:36 PM

Ok ..so you install a resistor...same problem...disconnect batt and reconnect and car tries to start for a second then same thing.

SlxAlxx · #11 (**permalink**) 12-18-07, 07:56 PM

I had the same exact issue. It's the Theft Deterrent Module in the bottom of the steering column. The keys have to be reprogrammed along with the module replacement.