Write-Up: No Start + 3 min delay / Disabling PASS-Key II Security

There is a 5 second bulb check when you first start car and it should go off. If it is'nt try a different key next check that module connection at the base of the steering column is properly connected.

Hi guys,I have a 91 riviera mint. 78,000 orig miles. 2 owner car. Recently the security light flashes on when I shut the doors with the car off ,after some time it goes solid.It is NOT lit while the car is running. I do not have a remote.I don't even know if I have an alarm on the car. However I think it is killing my battery. I have no codes to trouble shoot. any help would be greatly app... Thanks Tom

suggest you either get a code scanner (I use Car-Code by Alex Peper, which is an application for my laptop PC and a dongle for the car) or go to an AutoZone or some such and let them pull the codes... then repost.

Reason - more than one reason for the light to be running, some cause codes and some don't. So that you are not wasting time taking suggestions that won't work, get the diagnostic.

That said, could be as simple as your key or the contacts in the ignition switch are dirty.

Albertj

so what did you do?

Albertj

About twice a day when I go to turn the key, I get nothing and the security light comes on for about three minutes and then she usually starts right up. It has been becoming more and more frequent. My friend told me that the small wires that touch the resistor in the key have a small crack in them. I may have missed the thread for this if there was one.


98 Riv

Also make sure the chip on the key is clean.

Please add the year of your car to your signature and turn it on. That makes a big difference on this topic.

Anyone on this issue?

the VATS is turning off your ignition.
you can wire in a resistor to skil the system, get a new key(if the old one is too worn), or fix the loose wire.

Mr.Riviera wrote:

the VATS is turning off your ignition.
you can wire in a resistor to skil the system, get a new key(if the old one is too worn), or fix the loose wire.

Where is this" loose wire "located?? Got any pics?
I wish I'd seen this b4 we ordered an Intense computer to delete the VATS.lol Atleast she'll get a lil performance kick.

You can probably replace the ignition switch to lick this problem the right way, or wire in a resistor to bypass the VATS if you aren't worried about security.

I see alot of thoughts about the VATS putting in the resistor, in the harness, but is there a link to how to do that. My '99 Riv Silver Arrow #12 gives me fits when I try to start it, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. I had a new key made last year and it made it work more often, but still does it's thing occasionally. With all the miles 171K, on it, I bought it last year with 169K, and no remote, I wonder if I should change the ignition switch or put the resistor in the harness, any thoughts?? I'm going to be driving this as my everyday driver, shortly, so need to get this problem resolved. 28 MPG last weekend, what a great car on trip to NY from MI, 1100 miles or so! Thanks! RV

Welcome friend!

Sounds like a great ride.

I wish I could answer your question but I would just be guessing. Some of these folks will help you out though.

One thing I have learned on here is any kind of aftermarket electronics like remote start, alarms and televisions etc. etc. cause problems.

Your car does not have a remote start or aftermarket security system does it?

Any aftermarket electronics been added?

Bert

Use a fairly accurate ohm meter to get the resistance of your ignition keys little, black resistor.

Pull the under-dash panel just above the pedals. You can now trace a pair of small gauge, white wires (I can't remember if they are insulated as a pair also) coming from the ignition cylinder area down to the security module.

Use this write-up info here. http://vats.likeabigdog.com/

Thanks,
Been looking for that write-up for a long time.

AA, Can we add this to the "Write-Up" section.?
Or change the title to include the letters VATS for future search.

Anyone have problems with the onboard security systems on the '91 rivs? Mine likes to go off on its own about every second day at 3:30 am. No one is trying to break into it either. Also, does anyone know what the 4th button on the key fob is for? (my owners manual hasent shown up yet.)
Any help would be appeciated!
thanks!
kris

Do you know where all your key fobs are? Try taking the batteries out of all of them and see if it continues.

Is there a way to discount the security alarm to the car so it all manual lock and unlock to my doors and trunk? 1997 riv

Instructions are in the Owner's Manual, should have come with your car or you can buy one. Sometimes they are only a few dollars on eBay.

GM used to have downloadable PDFs of the owners manuals on the Buick Owners web site but they changed the site and made it a Yahoo group, which I did not join. I belonged to it while it was owned/operated by GM. You can join, though, if you want, at http://www.gm.com/gmownercenter/buick/ - basically, if you join they should give you access to the owner's manual as an on-line PDF. Then in the manual you will see what you can or can not do with the car.

Otherwise, if you search on this site you should find contact info for Ed Morad, he operates a recycling company in Ohio. Probably for a few dollars only he'll sell you an owners manual pulled out of one or another car he's dismantling. You will need to call him and keep after him about it.

Albertj

Is English your primary language ?

but what do you mean by "discount"? are you trying to buy one from a company and are looking for a discount?

If you don't want to set the alarm, don't use the keyfob or the power lock switch to lock the car. Use the manual lock lever(s) to lock it, and either the keyfob or the key to unlock it. The exterior keyhole will even unlock both doors for you if you hold it over in the unlock position for a couple seconds...

Hi, I have owned a '95 Riviera for a few months now. The car runs very, very good. However, the ignition problem first showed itself with nothing happening for a few seconds when I turned the key to the run position. I was able to get the car started by turning the key on and off. When I would start the car and drive it, the security light stayed on for 15-20 minutes. A few days ago, the engine completely shut off twice while I was driving it. When I got it home, I tried to start it and there is nothing but dead silence. The dash board gauges light up but the engine does not crank and start up. I had the key with the chip tested and it is good. Has anyone experienced this or can offer any suggestions? Rivren

Almost sounds like what my 97 did when I tripped the security. I pulled the battery off for 10 minutes and it started right up.

i am new to this forum....i have a few issues in the riv i just purchased....it is a 1998 pearl white car real clean......but any way the sercurity systems some times will not allow me to start the car..ever so often can i bypass it or no?....the heater control has no display (bulb or just replace)????just a few ?'s


thanks in advance

Do a search on this site to find the info about display problems in the heater control. If you have more questions about that, probably best to post that question in that thread (after you read the thread).

As for the security system - depends if its the factory or an aftermarket system. If it is an aftermarket system, probably the best bet is to remove it or have it removed. If it is the factory system, sometimes the crank sensor will fail and make it look like the secirity system is not letting the car start. Sometimes it's just dirt in the keyway, whcih you can fix by getting a Q-tip (small contton swab), dipping it in alcohol (dry gas) and cleaning the keyway (CRC QD Cleaner on that qtip will work, too) so that the little metal paddles that you can just see in the keyway are cleaned off. It also may be that the ignition switch is worn to the point that it will not recognize the key. So if you clean the key (it has a "chip" in it near the head) and the ignition switch keyway and it still won't behave, time to have the switch replaced. I do not remember if there are instructions on this site as to how to do that but frankly just about any mechanic who is familiar with Saginaw steering columns can do it, provided he/she can get the parts.

For the rest of you, especially newbies, reading this: there is a lot of information on this site and if you use the search function with a word or three that help to describe your problem, odds are you'll find answers. It is not the case that people do not want to answer your questions. Rather it is the case that you will save a lot of time if you use the Search function and look for the info you think you need before you post questions. Neither the indexing nor the serach functions are perfect on the site, though, so don't be surprised if you can't find something and you get flamed a little becuase someone points out to you that it is indeed on here and puts a link under your nose.

All the best

Albertj