Error in theft deterant system - car may not restart

NoFear365@yahoo.com · #1 (**permalink**) 06-19-06, 08:49 AM

So, I come home from work Friday night and everything is fine. Later on, I jump back into my car and start it up. The first thing I notice is my gear indicator lights are all on (as if I'm in every gear) and they are all blinking. Then the radio and hvac lights shut off (but I still hear music). Every button in the car does nothing now. I can't power the radio off or check codes. I can't put the AC or heat on... nothing. Then a message comes up - Error in theft deterent system - car may not restart.

At first I thought the chip in my key was no good. I used my other one and I still have the same problem. Mind you, the car starts each time. I'm just afraid to drive it. So it's sitting in my driveway...

Any suggestions? Has anyone else dealt with this before?

1997BlackETC · #2 (**permalink**) 06-19-06, 09:43 AM

Check for a bad ground, Battery to engine block or Chassis.

ewill3rd · #3 (**permalink**) 06-19-06, 09:48 AM

The wires for the theft system are broken inside the column.
You need to replace the ignition lock cylinder and get 2 new keys cut to match the new cylinder.
Be sure to provide your old key because they need to match the new keys to the pellet in your old one.

Should run somewhere between $300-$500 depending on where you have it done.

NoFear365@yahoo.com · #4 (**permalink**) 06-19-06, 10:17 AM

Damn, that sucks.

Well, I guess I'm going to Cadillac...

Would a regular locksmith be able to do this? I'm guessing no...

kymbakitty · #5 (**permalink**) 06-19-06, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewill3rd

The wires for the theft system are broken inside the column.
You need to replace the ignition lock cylinder and get 2 new keys cut to match the new cylinder.
Be sure to provide your old key because they need to match the new keys to the pellet in your old one.

Should run somewhere between $300-$500 depending on where you have it done.

I can vouch for this post...I just had this done last week onour 2000 Eldorado--$425, and that included two keys. Thankfully, our portion was .98 cents. We have mechanical breakdown insurance w/zero deductible.

I got that same message although ours stated, "Restart Car in 3 minutes," then "2 minutes," then "1 minute." We did not want to get stuck somewhere and that was a very real possibility.

We tried both keys thinking it was the key too, but it was not. It was an ignition wire in the column.

Dawn

Harry Yarnell · #6 (**permalink**) 06-19-06, 04:21 PM

Or, if your handy with a soldering iron, you can fix it for less than a dollar.
Measure the resistance of the key pellet, and buy a resistor from Radio Shack and bypass the whole thing at the giant connector under the steering column. There are two thin white wires in a orangish brown sheath at one end of this connector. Cut the wires going to the column, and solder the resistor across the two white lead GOING to the connector.

Further details I can provide at: hyarnell1@earthlink.net

ewill3rd · #7 (**permalink**) 06-19-06, 06:25 PM

You can bypass the system but I recommend against that.
Not sure if a locksmith could do it, you could call one and ask.
I am betting they could but you never know.

1997BlackETC · #8 (**permalink**) 06-19-06, 06:36 PM

My car had the exact same message and it was a bad ground, also had the flashing light on the shift indicator.

NoFear365@yahoo.com · #9 (**permalink**) 06-21-06, 09:48 AM

Well I go to start the car this morning to bring it to the dealership. Nothing - dead - nada! I had to jump it for some reason. I never had to do this before and my AC Delco battery is only 2 years old... Hmmm...

Anyway, it's at the dealership now. I'll keep everyone posted on what the verdict is.

1997BlackETC · #10 (**permalink**) 06-21-06, 10:12 AM

We will probabley never know what the actual problem was now that the car is at the dealership, more than likely though just a bad negitive ground at the battery.

NoFear365@yahoo.com · #11 (**permalink**) 06-21-06, 05:42 PM

Ahhh, it just gets better. So I just came back from the dealership and this is what they said. Basically its not the key, or anything in the column. There is (according to them) something wrong with the computer. Apparently my computer needs to be reflashed. Nonetheless, I'm not getting my car back tomorrow... :-(

ewill3rd · #12 (**permalink**) 06-22-06, 08:50 AM

Well good luck!
Hope their "fix" works.
If not, hold them to it when it acts up again.

NoFear365@yahoo.com · #13 (**permalink**) 06-23-06, 12:17 PM

So it turns out that the computer is no good now. They tried reflashing the ROM and it wouldn't take. They are currently in the process of swapping the computer out... It just gets better and better...

codewize · #14 (**permalink**) 06-23-06, 03:56 PM

Besides the ignition cylinder problem another common cause of this is the VATS reader itself which is buried deep in the dash. I've never had to change mine. However my ignition cylinder has been done 3 times.

The bypass is very very simple and doesn't hurt anything unless someone has a key to your car.

94Cad25 · #15 (**permalink**) 08-14-06, 08:25 AM

I just bought a 94 Used Caddy SLS and went to the store and now will not start, "says" theft deterent active take key out of ing and please wait 3 minutes" i tired bought sets of keys because maybe my chip was bad no it never worked, could the guy who sold me this car knew that this happen before or does this JUST HAPPENS AND IS JUST BAD LUCK.
HOW COULD I BY-PASS THIS PROBLEM I HAD IT TOWED YESTERDAY AND NOW I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX PLEASE HELP AND SEND ME PICS AND HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE, I HEAR THAT I WOULD HAVE TO SOLDER RESISTORS
TO WHITE WIRES I NEED HELP !!!!!! PLEASE I EMAIL ME HELP