The car is a ponatic bonneville 1993 SE .

Battery, starter, fuses & relays are Ok.
Turning the key doing nothing.
Connecting the starter to the battery will start the car and after a sec it will stall.
I can hardly say it starts.

The car has an original in-key immobilizer, I suspect this is the source for my problems.
I allready tried using the spare key. Didn't help.

What do you think? Please help this is my dad'* car and it'* stuck for over a week now!

Great forum by the way!
Thanks,
Sahar.

what is the security light doing when the car is trying to start

PLEASE take the battery cables off (remove the boots from the terminals) and look for Crossion....if they are clean them and even if they look clean clean them anyway

what is the security light ? how will I recognize it ?

The "security" light is a yellow light on the dash that says "security". It indicates the condition of the VATS system....what keeps the car from starting without the proper key resistance. Doing a search on VATS and/or security light will likely turn up a few posts.

Well, I have read some great info but still couldn't find the answer to where is this VATS modul sitting? Is it behind the wheel where the ignition switch locates?

If my key died, should I replace the whole unit? or can I buy a new key with the resistance that I need ?

My dad is going to pay 170$ for the ignition switch replacement (2 keys+I.switch) and i'm not that sure that this is the source for the problem !!

Thanks guys

STOP RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It may or may not be the VATS.....in relation to the question....what is the LIGHT doing during starting....does it blink or does it remain on constant

ALSO...have you checked the battery cables???

Security System Check procedures -

To begin:
1. Put ignition switch in RUN position (engine NOT running)
2. Close front doors
3. Unbuckle seat belts
4. Set park brake off

"SECURITY" indicator should light for approximately five seconds.


if "Security" indicator remains on or flashes, then there may be a problem that needs to be addressed.

And ... if there'* a problem to address..

We can help you fix the problem for under $5 worth of resistors, if it'* regarding the vats.

Battery cabels are fine.
Did the security check...

What I see is this:

Inflatiable retraint, something like that (flashes for 4-5 sec then turns off)
Antilock
Service engine soon
Check gages (system monitor is not working for a long time)
Fasten seatbelt


I couldn't see any "security" light,
What do you think ?

Unless something is different for '93 from '97, I suspect your security bulb may be out, the light may have been disconnected, or there is a short in the system not allowing it to illuminate.

Not exactly sure where you should go from here. Wait for some others with more experience to chime in.