Cadillac Repair: 89 Seville security system, lock cylinder, wire connector

Question
When I try to start my car, the computer reads, starting disabled,wait three minutes. It fails repeatedly. I have disconnected the battery to reset the computer,to no avail. I can't start my car. Can you help me?

Answer
Hi Larry,

      What you have is a problem with the PASS Key system and it can't usually be reset by disconnecting the battery and here's why.

      You've seen that thing in your ignition key. Well that is a resistor that is measured by a couple contacts inside the lock cylinder. You can measure the resistance by placing an ohmmeter lead on each side and get a reading. That reading is transferred down 2 white 20gauge wires with an orange cover and eventually winds up at the passkey module that when it gets the reading sends a signal to the ECM to allow the starter to turn.

      What you need to know is once you get that resistance you can go to Radio Shack and buy a 1/4 watt resistor as close to that reading as you can. If you are with-in 500 ohms it should still work. Look where all the wires come out below the steering column and you will see a 2 wire connector with the white and orange covered wires. Cut the wires on the steering column side and attach/solder a wire to each end of the resistor. Tape everything up and then the next turn of the key the engine should start and run. The downside to this repair is anything that moves the ignition switch will start the engine so it would be easy to steal. The upside is it is a very inexpensive repair compared to aprox. $150.00 for parts plus 2 hours labor.

     Hope that answers your question. Bill