Ignition problem - 2001 Regal

2001 Regal LS (non-turbo)

Daughter's car - seems like when we get one thing fixed another rears it's ugly head :banghead:

Intermittently when she tries to start the car she gets no response – no attempt from the starter, doesn’t sound like it’s even hitting the solenoid. The after a while – several minutes – she might try it again and the car start (or not). Eventually it will start.

I’m thinking that the ignition switch might not be reading the key – if that happens is there a waiting period before the car will accept another attempt at starting?

I remember reading somewhere (not sure if it was on this forum) that you could add a resistor to a wire in the ignition harness that would bypass the key “chip”. I wouldn’t be against replacing the wiring – which seems to cause folks a lot of other weird problems – but it’d be nice to see if that is actually the problem.

Any thoughts and help would be appreciated.

Duane

What is the SECURITY light doing. On - flashing or off? Possible it is a Passkey problem or maybe not. Will it not start in both PARK and NEUTRAL? The minimum waiting time is 3 minutes.

Here's an article if you need to do the bypass.
http://www.asttraining.com/Files/vats1.pdf

Thanks for the article.

I'll have to have them check the light - I didn't notice want the security light was doing. The one time that it did it to me it would not crank in either neutral or park.

Have been told the security light is "on".

Thanks,
Duane

Then it is a Passkey/VATS problem. Your '01 Regal should have Passkey II which has the key with the resistor pellet. The best starting point with Passkey II is the key itself. Have them try the spare key, if any or clean the contacts of the resistor pellet (both sides) with a pencil eraser and then isopropyl alcohol. Let dry then try again. Then do the key relearn. In ignition (run) for 10 minutes and off for at least 30 minutes. Other GM cars have the Passkey III and Passlock with the passive transponder and no key pellet. I believe PK III was finally introduced on the '04 Regal before it was killed in the product line.

If that doesn't work and you want the problem fixed properly without bypassing by running the resistor match up then the key cylinder is a common problem and will need to be replaced.

Thanks Bob,

Yes, it does have the "pellet" type VANTS - we'll try cleaning the keys.
When you refer to "run" for 10 minutes you are saying to have the key in the "run" position, not necessarily starting/running the car, correct?

Thanks,
Duane

Thanks Bob,

Yes, it does have the "pellet" type VANTS - we'll try cleaning the keys.
When you refer to "run" for 10 minutes you are saying to have the key in the "run" position, not necessarily starting/running the car, correct?

Thanks,
Duane

Hi Duane,

That is correct. Good luck!

Bob,
Hope this doesn't sound like a stupid question.

The "key relearn" - does that need to be done with each ignition key we have?

Thanks,
Duane

not as long as the resistance in both keys match. Doing the relearn on one key should suffice.