Re: 97 Riviera not starting - security light stays on! <Redux>

[old cad man]

Original Thread
I have a 97 Riviera with all the same symptons. The common feature seems to be the security light coming on when attempting to start car. I have tried all combinations of entry to the car and order of steps up to turning the ignition key. When this happens, there is no alternative but to wait until the secuity feature times out. This car has almost 300,000km and has displayed this problem for over a year. I am inclinded to think that it's the contacts within the switch... which upon failing to pass the current through the key, triggers the security unit to perform what it's supposed to do - to immobilize the car.... certainly it does this!

[HotZ28]

Let's start with the simple things first. Do you have another key to try, or have you cleaned the resistor on the existing key?

[PAPO 53]

Just got over this. Replaced ignition switch (electrical) and it has a big harness that plugs into a box with another harness. It also has a very loose ignition tumbler. Car worked fine for 2 days. All lites in dash lite up but wont crank over. Security lite flashing. Prior experience with corvette vats system pointed me to the vats in this s.c. Rivera 1996. There are ways to by pass the system which i found in this website. Best one is fool the computer. Check resistence on key chip and write it down. Insert key and remove ignition harness from under dash and check resistence on black and white wires that come from ignition switch (with key off) go to radio shack and get a resistor to match reading and splice in . My problem was when i plugged every thing together the prong pushed out wire and disabled the car. This i found out by following one of the threads posted on this site. I love you guys dont know what i would've done without this family of car buffs

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by PAPO 53

My problem was when i plugged every thing together the prong pushed out wire and disabled the car. This i found out by following one of the threads posted on this site.

What "prong" & what "wire"? Are you sure you had the correct connectors for the terminal Male/female? Can you describe color or wires in the harness? BTW, this thread is 3-yrs old and it would be better to start a new thread with all the details of your problem. Pics would be even better

[PAPO 53]

You are so right i totally spaced out on that. I still have the car and i will make it more detailed. Because it's all fresh in my mind. For now the wires were black and white and attached to ignition lock. I will post pics tommorrow saturday in afternoon. Thanks for the heads up......

[Tech II]

The wires you are talking about, go to the lock cylinder, not the ignition switch....and both wires are white.......they come down in an orange sheathed covering, and then attach at that big block connection....