Questionhi my husband has a 1998 cadillac deville and a couple of days ago his key broke off in his ignition, My Husband is a mechanic by the way, but anyway. we took the broken off key to and the ignition switch to a locksmith to have it repaired and when we got the key back the car said starting disabled remove key, We were wondering what that could be
AnswerHello,
You state he is a mechanic, but he does not specialize in these situations and neither does a locksmith, as it relates to the situation you have.
You are dealing with GM's antiquated problematic VATS, which never stopped theft from professionals, but always was a headache for owners and a big rip off to consumers for repair by the dealer. Just for the lock and a couple keys with labor at the dealer it would cost more than $500 for the repair.
Computer systems and stereos are obsolete after 3 months and yet GM used this junk in many models from 1986 to 2006.
Many wrongly thought this key had a visible computer chip in it. It is merely one of 14 different resistors.
The two very small wires, which if not broken were probably broken in the harness attached to the key/lock cylinder or when the cylinder was removed. No one's fault other than the high quality crack engineers for GM that designed this system. The ignition lock cylinder is what so many refer to as an ignition switch and it simply is not. You can't hotwire a mechanical object. The electrical ignition swwitch is on the top of the steering column under the dash. The ignition lock key cylinder actuates the electrical ignition switch when rotated, pulling on a rod that actuates the electrical ignition switch that operates the starter.
This is what I do and that is why you came to me. I no longer do engine or transmission work.
With all this said, you need to bypass this system before it strands you. It is not if, but when.
Whether he is a mechanic or not, for what you would pay to bypass it, it would be cheaper than all the screwing around matching resistors, running back and forth for parts etc.
Alarm stores get the bypass kit for all alarms with remote start and they are almost never used. In other words, the alarm stores don't pay for the kits, so you might not have to pay much for the parts and labor should not be over an hour at their lower rates.
I hope you kept the same key with the resistor or a duplicate. You need to read from your original key resistor with an ohm meter.
Once you have the value, the correct resistor can be picked out of the alarm store's bypass kit.
Remove the lower access panel under the dash under the column.
Under the driver's side dash cut the two thin white wires coming out of the steering column. The column side will be dead. These wires are commonly in an orange sheath. (or have it done at the alarm store). Use a butt connector on each end and install the correct resistor. Tape real well with electrical tape and you are done!
If done correctly, the engine will start.
The problem you are left with is that GM did not make a secure locking steering column either. 30 seconds with a screwdriver on the left side of the steering column totally defeats the locking echanisms on the steering coulumn and no, the ignition lock does not even get touched to steal the car! I have rebuilt over 10,000 GM steering columns from theft or another common problem where the steering column gets loose.
Unlike many think, old cars are stolen all the time so you want to deter a would be car thief. Don't go running out and buy a worthless CLUB or any rip off anti-theft device.
Have your husband go to a parts store and buy a toggle switch. The higher amperage, the better. Attach about 3 ft of wire or less depending on where he is going to place it (I commony would disquise the toggle lever and put it in a convenient, but hard to locate place under the driver's door sill).
Tape the two wires together making a harness and strip the ends. Under the dash there are two main harnesses running under the steering column from the electrical ignition switch. Put a test light to either a purple or yellow 12 gauge wire and turn ignition lock to start. If the test light iluminates in the start position, that is the wire wanted, and the light will go out once out of the start position. Once this wire is located, cut it. Install each end of the new harness to each end of the ignition wire. Use butt connectors, crimp and tape. Once the toggle is put into place on door sill, try it. Engine should only turn over with one toggle position. Take extra wire and tie it under dash with tie straps and reinstalll the access panel under dash.
You can drive the car and flip the switch while engine is running. It will just not crank if you don't toggle bacck when you do go to start it.
Do not mount this switch under the dash, it is the first place a thief looks!
The other problem if you don't do this, if you have comprehensive insurance and car is stolen, insurance company will deny claim because of the so-called anti theft system. You can tell them it was bypassed and that will fall on deaf ears. I commonly represent insureds in court on these matters, so save the headache and that way too, you won't be left stranded because of the VATS.
Good Luck!
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