Here'* one to ponder... This car is equipped with an aftermarket remote starter/keyless entry/trunk popper...etc.

When the key is placed in the ignition and turned to the "on" position, the radio comes on and the heater fan, but no lights on the dash. When you try to engage the starter, there is a faint click from behind the glovebox, but nothing else. The car can be started with the remote starter, but when you put the key in the ignition, turn it to "on" and then as soon as you touch the brake pedal the motor dies.

I tried the 2nd ignition key and got the same result.

Any ideas?? thanks--

Sounds like it was installed incorrectly or there is a fault with the module.

Thanks Mike--It has worked fine for the 2 years Ive owned the car. the unit was installed years before by the previous owner.

I am thinking about taking it out, but after seeing the "rats nest" under the dash, I thought I would look for different, and maybe more simple fixes

Hmmm, its really hard to tell because this is a non-OEM setup. We don't have the schematics to the module and we won't know if something in the "rats nest" came undone. The possiblities are endless.

i think its the other way, the starter works properly but the ign switch doesnt. the remote is soposed to keep it on until the brake is pressed its a security thing, but the switch isnt coming on to take its duty.

I'm thinking somebody did not correctly install it as Mike said, if they do not wire it correctly with Passkey II/VATS will not let the starter engage, nor the fuel injectors pulse, the click you are haring is coming from the body control module, it should be in behind the glove box area.

You can get a bypass installed that should stop that problem.
http://www.bakerelectronix.com/products_vats/

I'd get the Quick Disconnect Upgrade with that, since you have a '99 you should not need the 30 Hz compatibility added, the connector should make it so you can hook it into the BCM yourself, it'* not too hard to get to it if it is behind the glove box, don't try it if you have a bad back though!


There is another option, if you have an aftermarket security system, or are not worried about the factory security system working, then you could just get somebody that can tune PCM'* to delete the feature from your PCM, but that may cost a bit more than bypassing it via the module, depending on who you know...


Forgot to mention, if it worked before with all the aftermarket stuff installed, and just stopped working, then it is possible the two little wires for the ign side of the security could have gotten shorted at the ignition cylinder, or at the wiring block that should be up under the driver side floorboard, the two wires from the ign cylinder connect, there is also the two wires that go from there to BCM, but they rarely have problems, that I know of anyway.

pretty sure 99 in buick is when they changed to the newer security that bypass wouldnt work, and regardless if it was a security issue the light would be on or flashing and the fact that it starts by remote means the security is satisfied by how ever the remote does it

"Forgot to mention, if it worked before with all the aftermarket stuff installed, and just stopped working, then it is possible the two little wires for the ign side of the security could have gotten shorted at the ignition cylinder, or at the wiring block that should be up under the driver side floorboard, the two wires from the ign cylinder connect, there is also the two wires that go from there to BCM, but they rarely have problems, that I know of anyway. "

"i think its the other way, the starter works properly but the ign switch doesnt. the remote is soposed to keep it on until the brake is pressed its a security thing, but the switch isnt coming on to take its duty. "

Gents---These are the thingsd I ponder... I also am leaning towards something in the ignition switch area has become shorted or broken. The remote start unit has worked fine and contimues to start the car. It would seem that when it wants to hand over control back to the key, it fails.

If I were to look for the "two little wires for the ignition side of the security" where would I start? I think the column is inaccessible unless the wheel is taken off. And exactly how do I do that? Will I deploy the airbag?

Thanks in advance. The poor Buick is dead in the driveway.....

if your security light isnt on or blinking i wouldnt worry about it. there are some bigger wires that the remote ties into under the dash one will be hot with out the key on and the other will go hot when the remote turns it on, thats the one that you need to see if it turns on without using the remote just the key.

ign or ign 2

Constant 12V+ Red Steering Column
Starter Yellow Ignition Switch Harness at Steering Column
Ignition Pink Ignition Switch Harness
Ignition 2 Brown Ignition Switch Harness
Accessory Orange Ignition Switch Harness (Heat/AC)
Tach White ICM, Engine Compartment
Neutral Safety Wire Yellow (-) Driver'* Dash above Fuse Panel
Brake Switch Light Blue/Black Brake Switch
Trunk Release Black (-) Switch
Trunk Pin Orange/Black (-) Light in Trunk
Parking Lights Brown (+) LCM left of Steering Column
Head Lamp Yellow (+) Light Switch
Factory Disarm Light Green (-) In Both Kick Panels
Door Trigger Tan Driver'* Door - Dark Blue 3 Doors(-) behind Glove on Firewall
Door Lock Red/Black (-) Either Kick Panel or behind Glove Compartment
Door Unlock Orange/Black (-)
Driver'* Lock Gray Door Jamb Boot
Driver'* Unlock Tan Door Jamb Boot
Passenger Unlock Tan Right Kick Panel
Horn Wire Black (-) Steering Column