1997 sable LS won't start.

[mdeare]

This car has always run perfectly and it always started instantly. It has 44,000 miles. The other day I was in town and when I turned the ignition key it had more resistance than usual for a split second but then something gave and the key turned too easily and the ignition was stuck in On. We towed it home in neutral (but the ignition was in the on position). I found the problem to be a steel pin had fallen out of the plastic rods that are moved up and down the steering column by the turning of the key that then actuate the real ignition switch. I was able to retrieve the steel pin and reinstall it with a pair of forcepts and a screwdriver. To do that I had to take off the airbag and the steering wheel and the two torx head screws in the side of the steering column to give me a little room to insert the pin. I did not remove the round ribbon cable assembly or any electrical connectors below the steering wheel. When I put it back together the engine turns over fine but will not start (not even a sputter). The ignition switch is now functioning correctly in every position. I have determined that I am getting spark and the fuel pump is working. What appears to be missing is the ground (enable) signals to the fuel injectors from the PCM (powertrain control module). Some people told me that maybe the computer needed to be reset with an autoscanner because it was towed with the ignition ON. (Something to do with the speed or position indicators). I obtained an OBDII Autoscanner but it says there are no error codes present and therefore nothing to reset. The engine may have to be running to generate any codes, and I'm not there yet. Does anyone have any ideas?

[vicv]

I'd try disconnecting the battery for a while, maybe charge it if it's same one as when you got towed with the key stuck, then reconnect the battery. This should allow the computer modules to reset.

[mdeare]

Originally Posted by vicv

I'd try disconnecting the battery for a while, maybe charge it if it's same one as when you got towed with the key stuck, then reconnect the battery. This should allow the computer modules to reset.

Just to let everyone know in case it might help you in the future: The problem was a faulty trasceiver assembly in the steering column. It interrogates the key and will not enable the PCM to enable the fuel injectors unless it receives the correct code as an anti-theft feature. This had nothing to do with my original problem with the ignition switch linkage, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Something wasn't going to let me fix this thing without going to the dealer, which of course I had to do because no one else can get the part or program it. 363 bucks later it's good as new! I'm left wondering how anyone can steal a car with this feature unless they tow it away?

[Froze_Tread]

You could do a computer swap hehe.