Computer losing memory?

[leeman72]

Have a 2004 SRX with 61k miles. Bought used about a year ago and battery had been borderline since we got it. Had to jump start quite a few times.

Last week, got the "Starting disabled remove key" message. Went through the whole routine, new battery, tried both keys, etc.

I can do the 30 minute relearn process and the car will start fine every time.
Randomly when the car is not running it seems as the memory is getting lost as the next attempt to start will have the same message. I go through the relearn and it starts fine.

May start up the next 5 times in a row, or may not. Each time the clock is reset also which leads me to a power issue.

Any ideas on what I can check out? Have only checked the connections at the steering column and under-hood fuses. Haven't checked the fuse blocks under the rear seats.

Trying to avoid a huge dealer charge for tracing a wire or something if not a computer problem.

[leeman72]

Just talked to Cadillac service dept...said sounded like a problem with the "theft deterrent system".....duh. $80 to hook up to the TECHII.

Said he had no idea about the clock resetting each time though, unless it was just something the anti-theft did to alert you it had been tripped...

Has anyone used bypass modules on these like when hooking up a remote starter or alarm? Would that work around the system? Just grasping at straws here...

Thanks!

[Superjim]

I would be checking the battery cables.
From your post..I am assuming that this problem started when you put the new battery in it.

[leeman72]

The problem started well before battery change.
Had to replace battery because it wouldn't hold a charge long enough to do the 30 minute relearn and then crank.

Problems are only with the anti-theft. Doesn't lose radio presets, driver names, etc...


I may have to do the key relearn twice a day for 3 days and then the next 2 days it may start fine and not work again the next. Very random so it's hard to trace down.

Every time though guaranteed, I do the 30 minute relearn and the car will start fine. It's as though the antitheft control module is losing it's memory. Is this possible? Other than that, could it be the PCM or transponder reader?

thanks

[captainhook]

this happened to me as well, just figured it our few weeks ago. DO NOT LOCK THE CAR FROM THE INSIDE, always use your key fob to lock and unlock. after i started doing this all my problems dissapeared...hope this helps