help!!!--can,t start my 99 deville?

Question

for about 2 months i,ve been having trouble with the theft system---a display that says---starting disabled---remove key---wait 3 minutes----then car will start------this morning the same thing happened---but!!!---there was no wait 3 minutes display---it just read---starting disabled---remove key----the car will not start------any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!----i can,t get to work----help!!!

Answer 1

Yeah the GM PassKey anti-theft system has been known to be defective occasionally.

"...A common cause has been excessive resistance or intermittent breaks in the Passlock Sensor and EVO/Passlock Module circuits, interrupting the required voltage signal. The cause may be a loose or contaminated connection, or it could be a broken or shorted wiring to one of the components. Be patient, and be sure they are thoroughly inspecting every inch of the involved circuitry, including, but not limited to, inside the steering column. Failures of a module or sensor are also possible."

from http://www.car-data.com/xpage.mainqa/mainqa.template.asp?qaNC=chevrolet.tahoe.1999.1

Most likely, it's a failing sensor in the ignition - that SUCKS. If you have an electrician for a friend you get get into the steering column and install the resistor you need to start it.

Other problems could be numerous, and all are pretty big electrical FUBARs, so I wish you luck. Modules could be bad, wiring could be bad, so on and so forth. It's probably not your battery, but get it tested. And it's probably not TOO serious so don't fret too bad.

You can TRY taking the negative battery cable off of the battery for 30 minutes, that resets the computer, which could reset the security system if there is something wrong that's locking you out.

Electrical issue... needs troubleshooting by a professional or by you if you have balls, a multimeter, and lots of wiring diagrams.

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You have a '99 Deville, don't worry about the anti-theft module going bad, that's unlikely. You have PassKeyII, so you technically don't have a TDM, yours is built into the Body Control Module (not in the dash like with PassKey I) With the PassKeyII system your car has, the two likelihoods are :

- Ignition cylinder
- Worn out key

GM doesn't use 15 chips, they use 15 different resistance values... Either way your key could be worn out or wires could have gotten pinched in the ignition cylinder... or something. GM has a PassKey ignition tester that will pull resistance codes (not trouble codes) from the ignition. If it fails to pull the codes then it's the cylinder, if it pulls the codes it's your key.

They key cannot be "reset" or "erased" because the lump in your key is a resistor, so the only way it can fail is if its resistance is decreased from wear.

Normally the PassKey system has a 'fail-safe' mode so I'd check your key first (you need to get a replacement from GM).

There are also PassKey bypass systems but you need to pay to have those installed so...

Answer 2

Your car is protected by a factory security system.
If you look at the key, you SHOULD see a little bulge near the head of the key. This is the security unit. Without getting techie, it identifies this key as the correct key and not an illegitimate key (Copied).
Many times someone will want a back-up key for a friend, or for the occasion of a lost key, and either they don't get a security key, or they get the wrong module. There are 15 different chips used by GM.
See if you can find the original key, OR go to Cadillac with the VIN# (all 17 characters) and have them make you one.
If that fails, you will have to take the car to them for repair to the Anti-theft module under the dash.

Answer 3

My 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix was doing the same thing. Took it in, found out it was a bad cell in the battery. Might be worth checking out. Some places like Auto Zone or Pep Boys will check your battery for free or for a small fee, usually $5.00 or less. A word of warning though: I had no choice but to take mine to a dealer, and they had to reprogram the security system too, so replacing the battery may fix it, then again it might not.

Answer 4

The key has a chip in it that the anti theft system recognizes if the chip has been damaged (passed over a magnet or something similar) I may become reset or erased………………try your spare and if that wont work contact your nearest dealer and they should be able to get you some help