Cadillac Repair: 1991 Deville Occasional no start, butt connector, wire strippers

Question
My 1991 Deville sometimes has the 3 minute "no start" problem. Is there any way to disable the vats system so it will start every time?  If so, how can it be done?Thanks

Answer
Hi Edward,

       It's pretty easy if you have an ohmmeter and some electrical wire strippers. Here's what you need to do.

       Remove the black panels under the LH side of the dash. Coming out of the bundle of wires from the steering column you will see an orange covered wire with two 20 gauge white wires inside. Cut those wires close to the column so you have room to install a 1/4 watt resistor from Radio Shack on the wires that DO NOT go to the column. Strip the wires aprox. 1/2" of the white and orange insulation.

      Now grab your ohmmeter and ignition key and place a lead on each side of the key pellet making sure that you don't touch the metal part of the lead or you will change the reading. Then go to the Shack and get a resistor as close to the reading that you got. It needs to be with-in 500 ohms either way to work. Soldier a white wire to each end of the resistor and then tape it up with electrical tape so that the resistor and bare wires are covered. If you don't have a soldiering gun then just tape it up as best as you can or use a butt connector.

      Once that is done the engine should start everytime. The only drawback is now if someone breaks the steering column the engine can be started with a screwdriver or whatever is handy because the theft/PASS KEY system will be bypassed.

      Hope that helps. Bill