Theft System Problem, Car may Not Restart

cody8099 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-24-08, 07:53 PM

Ok, I own a 98' eldorado. Ever since I had it I have been having a big issue. I purchased it from a lady November 5. Ever since I had it, the error code, Theft System problem, Car May Not Restart. So I took it to a Cadillac Dealership and they told me it was the alternator, so $966.31 later, they replaced the alternator, grounded it the right way, fixed my window switch, and my foglight, all for that amount. They said it would fix the problem, well it didnt. 2 days later the message pops up again, Theft System Problem, Car May Not Restart. So, right back to the dealership I went and they started working on it right away. This time they replaced my ignition lock, along with my keys, to the sum of $531.95 dollars. They garunteed that the problem would never come up again. So the next day, I was in town following my dad so he could get snow tires on his HHR, we stop at north gateway tire. Walk in, 30 mins later go back out to leave that place, and sure enough,Theft System Problem, Car May Not Restart. This time I called the dealership bitching. I said im $1500 worth of pissed off, and that this eldorado is doing the same thing, again. The guy at the dealership could not belive it. So we had it towed there and they threw their best cadillac tech to solve my problem. Well...... they cant figure it out. They have traced all the wire in the eldorado and still cannot figure out what the problem is.

Now my question to all of you who have had this happend, What would be the cause of this. WHen the message pops up, it says Theft System Problem, Car may Not Restart, my gear strip on the guage cluster flashes, and all my idiot lights go nuts. Also the car makes no attempt to crank to even start.

So if anyone could please help me out, it would be much appreciated. As of right now the eldorado is still in the shop. Please someone help me

Talamant3z · #2 (**permalink**) 11-24-08, 07:59 PM

damn mine has been poppin up too but it comes and goes

97EldoCoupe · #3 (**permalink**) 11-24-08, 08:02 PM

I would suspect a bad ground somewhere- according to the symptoms. If it was just the Theft System Problem message, I'd say it's a broken wire inside the steering column right next to the ignition switch. I fixed this problem on my '97 Eldo and my 97 STS by just soldering the broken white wire (two very small white wires usually cause this) together and covering with liquid electrical tape. Hasn't re-appeared and it's been a while. That was 2 hours of work and 5 cents worth of solder. The PASS KEY II module sounds like the culprit, or the circuit that gives it power. Check all of your fuses and fuse block for corrosion, especially under the hood. Then check the two white wires by removing the steering wheel (they changed the IGN switch, eh? they could have broken one of the wires upon installation.) and a few parts underneath. They go down the column and plug into a wide connector at the base of the column. Check that connection as well. If all else fails, suggest to your dealer to change the PASS KEY II module, located in the trunk behind the carpeting (opposite side of the rear seat).

Oh- a good idea would be to use a continuity meter to check the wires from the IGN switch to the connector at the base of the column, to make sure they're not broken somewhere in the middle. Doubtful, but it is a possibility.

cody8099 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-24-08, 08:08 PM

I will call the dealership and let them know to try that, because right now they are banging their heads against the walls.

cody8099 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-25-08, 06:12 PM

They finally got it fixed. What it was was a bad connection in the wiring harness. And whats even better, is that it didnt cost me a single dime because this was the third time it was in for the same problem, and they took care of it.

97EldoCoupe · #6 (**permalink**) 11-25-08, 06:37 PM

Good- dealerships aren't a good place to get little issues like this solved because their labour rate is what, around $80/hour, and it can take forever to find it. The thing is, for specialized repairs like this, where else can you go? I'm glad they found it though and fixed it without charging you anything more!

Out of curiosity, which connection was it, incase anyone else runs into the same thing?

billytheshoe · #7 (**permalink**) 11-25-08, 06:51 PM

Any connection that is faulty in that the security curcuits will cause this problem. It could be the trunk latch,door,radio,horn,key chip, ect....I admit I don't know the system very well. This is one of the nightmare issues that we get to endure. My only experiece is when I changed out the battery it sounded off and clipped the wire to the to the horn to stop it. the car would not start, all the indicator lights on the dash were freaking out till I connected the curcuit back up. After that no problem.

cody8099 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-25-08, 06:52 PM

im not sure which connection, but i will find out tonight when my ride gets here to take me to pick ellie (eldorado) up

miss_judy1 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-11-09, 04:40 PM

for about 1 1/2 yrs I have been having problems with the analog cluster panel going crazy, lights blinking like a light show, spd and rpm will go dead or bounce around, sometimes I wouldn't have high beams, my headlight have went out and then came back on ( night time, which was scaring). Last week I stopped to eat and the car would start then shut off right away ( this has happened to me 2 other times and then after a short while started) but not this time I must have tried starting 10 times and it shut right down, which I believe has something to do with the theft mechanism? It was towed, I was told it was the alternator. But I found there had been a recall on certain '96 eldorados and sevilles for their analog instrument panel cluster, my car is doing the same thing as those recalled but my VIN# is not in that campaign, so no I am dealing (hoop jumping) with GM to have them include my car this safety recall campaign. Picked it up from the dealership, didn't have the alternator install but it started and ran fine on the way home. Now the key remote won't open anything, I replace the battery but it still doesn't, anyone know why? Fortunately I have another vehicle to drive until I hear from GM. Sorry for the long story, but this car has a long mechanical defect history. Anyway, has anyone else had this problem?

**Ranger** · #10 (**permalink**) 02-11-09, 05:50 PM

Judy, add the year to your profile so we know what we are talking about. Then pull the DTC's (dealer may have already done that and cleared them).

2009chopper · #11 (**permalink**) 05-08-09, 11:51 PM

wow cody good thread! my 1997 deville is having the same problem, messege will appear theft system problem car may not restart! it allways starts but it has bothered me, i also have noticed that my red security light on the dash doesnt flash when i open the door, and it doesnt come on when i lock the car with the remote, im thinking my problem might be somthing more then just a lose wireing harnes,

99indianaeldo · #12 (**permalink**) 07-17-09, 12:49 AM

Im bringing this post back from the dead....

OK, so my steering column started making a buzzing sound like an electric zap. Thought nothing of it since it only lasts a couple seconds and doesnt effect anything. A week or so afterward, my pioneer disc changer would turn on and off rapidly and then finally died. A week after that, I get the infamous message, 'Theft system problem, car may not restart'. I have been driving around for a couple months like this but it is getting annoying.

I have a 1999 eldorado with about 120k miles on it and I need help fixing this, any would be much appreciated.

Mitch3 · #13 (**permalink**) 07-17-09, 09:32 AM

My '98 Eldo had the same problem a couple years ago. Everytime I would try to re start the car the message came on and no start. I would have to wait a few minutes before it would start. Somewhere on this forum I read that my key might be bad. Sure enough, I went to my spare key and problem was solved. I lucked out and it didn't cost me a dime.

greg-sls · #14 (**permalink**) 07-17-09, 10:10 AM

I think the 98s and up have the ignition key on dash, right? It's a different anti-theft system than the Passkey II system as there's no visible resistor pellet in the key. Correct me if I'm mistaken about that.

99indianaeldo · #15 (**permalink**) 07-17-09, 11:33 AM

My car always starts with the original key and they DO have the little black chip on them.

Im thinking that a wire shorted or grounded out due to the 'zapping' noises that I heard from the column and that my disc changer (most likely wired in at the column) stopped working along with the security stuff around the same time. When I get a weekend Im going to rip off the panels and take a look.

I did find some instructions on here about locating two little white wires and soldering them back together. Also, whoever wired in the changer might have done a crappy job so we will see.

Thanks for the replies.