Cranks, no start - theft deterrent issue...96 Seville

[Cadillac Jim]

Let us know how it works out.

[fmw63]

Let us know how it works out.

Well, they called and said it starts now! Service advisor said they had to reprogram IPC, BCM and TDM... Total cost $390!

[rockfangd]

As long as the problem is history it is worth every penny

[fmw63]

As long as the problem is history it is worth every penny

Yeah....this is probably the worst issue yet with this car, or my previous 93. going to pick it up in an hour

[Cadillac Jim]

Wow. That's about 3.5 hours! It sounds like they had to go and program everything from the ground up, like a car that had been bricked and had all its modules changed. Let's remember the B2750 as a flag that this might be the case.

I just browsed the Newrockies web page. They claim that the Passkey system is "short-lived" and that dealers charge $1K and up to fix it, and that it takes lots of parts, etc., that the resistor by-pass is also subject to stranding you, and lots of other specious claims. Actually, the majority of cases can be fixed by a new key from Ace Hardware or a locksmith that matches your old pellet. Occasionally a car will actually need the contacts inside the steering column, which is more expensive. And, your theft protection still works.

GM products with the theft protection are less attractive to thieves. You did good to keep it in the final analysis.

[rockfangd]

the eldo I bought was the first GM I ever bought that had the wiring bad in the column. Funny thing is it is the newest car I have bought,

I just installed the resistors inline under the column and am forgetting about it. no problems since, I find the vats system to be very reliable and have never had anything other than key or ignition related issues

[Cadillac Jim]

I wouldn't be at all surprised that if, at the end of the day, the Newrockies Pro module is, at the end of the day, effectively a resistor. Other than the door switches, there's really no other way to talk to PassKey.

I just drilled down into the Newrockies Pro module and found their instructions for 1996-1999 Cadillacs. The connections are:

RED & WHT: C1, pin A3 (PNK); Hot in Run and Start (splice)
BLK: C1, pin B12 (BLK/WHT) Ground (splice)
YEL: C1, pin A10 (WHT/BLK) Ignition lock cylinder, key resistor (break!)
BRN: C1, pin B10 (PPL/WHT) Ignition lock cylinder, key resistor (splice)
PPL: NONE
GRN: NONE

NONE C2, pin B7 (LT GRN) Key-in-ignition, closed with key in

[Reference: 1997 FSM pages 8A-82-1, 8A-82-3, 8A-82-4 for IPC and its circuits, 8C1-22, 8C1-23 for just the connectors]

The instructions say to try each of 15 combinations in a DIP switch, the first 10 of which are simply one of the 10 little toggles ON and the rest OFF, which looks like they are trying all of the resistor values that are valid for that range of car models. The power and ground are probably just for the pilot light. They do have PPL and GRN wires on some modules for other cars that I didn't research. Interestingly enough, they do NOT access the key-in-ignition switch or the door switches (which would require access to the PZM or the car's Class 2 network). So all they actually access that has anything to do with the PassKey system is the key resistor.

[rockfangd]

it is all a glorified resistor, Fancy name, fancy price.

[partyatmarios]

ANY CLUE where the TDM (theft deterrent module) is located in the 1990 Cadillac Fleetwood FWD? I am trying to by pass the entire system with the Newrockies Pro module. However, I have not been able to locate this black box anywhere in the car, which includes the entire under dash and trunk. Any suggestions would be appreciated. It may also go by the name PDM (passkey decoder module). Much thanks.

[Cadillac Jim]

I don't have a manual that goes back that far. In the 1997, which is two generations of design later, the threat deterrent is not in a separate module designated for that purpose, but is integrated into several modules. Much of the car works by communication between modules, and in most communications the VIN of the vehicle is part of what's necessary for modules to recognize communications from other modules. Also, there are passwords between modules that are programmed at the factory, and can be set when modules are changed by techs with locksmith bonding and privileges with the Tech I/II dealer code reader and vehicle repair computer. I know enough about my wife's 1999 GM product to know that much of that is present in her car.

I would suggest that you look to the installation instructions for the Newrockies Pro unit that you bought. On their web site, they have a diagram to find the Passkey Decoder Module (PDM), which is probably what you are looking for. This link is to that page:

http://support-docs.newrockies.com/1990_1992_fleetwoodfwd_v4_

You should have gotten these instructions with your Newrockies Pro unit, or at least instructions to look on their web page for instructions specific to your car.

[BodybyFisher]

If a dealer could program the mileage...we would all be driving low mileage cream puffs.