Antitheft - Intermittent No Start/Crank Due to Passkey: Overview
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Bulletin No.: T-92-77
File in Group: 8
Number: 145
Corp.Ref.No.: 118115R
Date: April, 1992
SUBJECT:
INTERMITTENT NO START AND/OR NO CRANK DUE TO PASSKey
MODELS AFFECTED:
1989-1992 ELDORADOS AND SEVILLES
1989-1992 ALLANTES
1990-1992 DE VILLES AND FLEETWOODS
This bulletin is being revised to include VIN breakpoints for 1992 DeVilles and Fleetwoods, revised relay location and wiring for 1990 DeVilles and Fleetwoods, and a correction in the essential tool part number. This bulletin supersedes Service bulletin T-91-96A.
Intermittent no starts on 1989-1992 Eldorados, Sevilles, and Allantes and 1990-1992 DeVilles and Fleetwoods may be caused by PASSKey. This is to highlight possible causes of intermittent no start or no crank conditions due to PASSKey. For no start conditions which can be repeated, use the diagnostics in Section 8A of the 1991 Service Information Manual.
SYSTEM OPERATION
The security telltale or message and the three minute wait timer can provide information to aid in diagnosing no starts. The security light should come on for bulb check at key on and go off after crank. If the PASSKey system reads an improper key value, the customer will have to wait three minutes before trying again to start the vehicle; and the security telltale or message will turn on. (If the PASSKey system doesn't detect a key input at all, the security telltale will never bulb check or turn on.)
SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
Ask the customer about the following light, message, and wait timer conditions when the vehicle did not start:
1. The security light or message functions normally (bulb check for two seconds then turn off), and the vehicle may start within three minutes of condition. Go to RELAY # 3.
2. The security light or message remains on during condition, and the car cannot be started within three minutes of condition... OR The Security light or message is off during condition, and the vehicle may start within three minutes of condition. Proceed to KEYS # 1 then LOCK CYLINDER # 2.
3. The vehicle cranks but does not start. Proceed to CRANK/NO START.
If no information is available from the customer, proceed to KEYS, # 1, and perform the DIAGNOSIS/CORRECTION steps in the order listed until the condition is corrected.
DIAGNOSIS/CORRECTION NO START/NO CRANK
1. KEYS
Check ALL of the customer's keys. Check the key pellets visually for looseness or damage. Check the keys using a PASSKey Interrogator (J-35628-A) or ohmmeter for proper key code. If the display changes value or reads "E", replace the key. The key codes should all match.
The remainder of the intermittent problem diagnosis depends upon ALL of the keys that the customer may use to start the car being checked and verified as OK.
2. LOCK CYLINDER
Check the lock cylinder and column wiring by installing the J-35628-A at the connection at the base of the steering column. For DeVilles and Fleetwoods use the J-35628-90 48-way adapter with the Interrogator. Cycle the key through the on and crank positions (at least three times) and observe the code display. If the display changes value or reads "E", replace the lock and cylinder assembly.
An open or short to ground in the lock cylinder or PASSKey column wiring will cause the security telltale to not bulb check or illuminate during the condition. Resistance in the column or key contacts may cause the security telltale or message to turn on and a three minute wait timer to start.
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT REPAIR lock cylinder wiring or terminals inside the column. The lock cylinder and pigtail must be replaced if wiring or terminals at the lock cylinder are intermittent. Keys of the proper PASSKey code must be cut to match the module that is in the car and the new mechanical coding of the new lock cylinder. See Section 9D of the Service Information Manual for the procedure.
DO NOT REPLACE THE PASSKey MODULE WHEN REPLACING THE LOCK CYLINDER AND KEYS.
WHEN DIAGNOSING, DO NOT SUBSTITUTE A NEW PASSKey MODULE ON A VEHICLE WITH A SUSPECTED COLUMN WIRING OR KEY CONDITION. THE NEW PASSKey MODULE MAY LEARN AN IMPROPER KEY CODE AND NOT BE USEABLE ON ANOTHER CAR.
3. RELAY
DeVilles and Fleetwoods - If the column wiring and keys are OK, replace the relay and modify the wiring as follows:
IMPORTANT:
The wiring modification should only be performed on all 1990 and 1991 vehicles and 1992 vehicles built before VIN 260457. Vehicles built after this breakpoint have the modified wiring changes. Refer to Figure 1 for 1991-1992 vehicles. Refer to Figure 2 for 1990 vehicles.