Hey there~

I have a 1993 Buick Century that I think is having problems with the anti-theft system. It doesn't have the pellets in the keys that I keep reading about but does have an anti-theft system/feature. What happened last time is I drove the car around town. Stopped to get gas and then the car wouldn't start. Fiddled around with it, checked battery connection etc and after about 15 minutes it wound up starting. The lights and everything came on just fine when the key was turned. Tonight the car won't start. I tried doing the reset that I found online sitting with the ignition in the "on" position for 10 min, turn to off, try to start 3X and nada. I had to get a ride home and am planning to head back out and try again in the morning. Is there some way to bypass this or trouble shoot it more?

What does it have as an anti theft feature?

My concern is that it is aftermarket, and if it is, it'* anyone'* guess as to what all is tied up in to it. Also, when you say it won't start, will it crank, but just keep cranking, or do you hit the key and nothing happens?

I'm thinking, on a 1993, if you don't have a black resistor pellet on the ignition key, you don't have a GM anti theft system on this car....if it has one, it'* after market......you can usually tell two ways.....if there is a red LED light in the dash somewhere(may also have a toggle switch somewhere), or by dropping the hush panel on the driver'* side and you see a harness and module hanging there, that shouldn't be there...

When you say it won't start, do you mean it cranks over and doesn't fire, or it doesn't crank over at all?

How did you determine that this car has a SECURITY system?

You may just have a starter on it'* way out.....also try starting the car in neutral....

Thanks! The reason I *think* maybe there is an anti theft system is that there is a fuse type key with a red light on it in the vicinity of the emergency brake release. I've never messed with it when everything was working and starting properly so I'm not 100% sure but that'* what it appears to be. I could be wrong obviously.

So when you turn the key all the lights come on, it dings, you turn it to start nothing. No click, nothing. Of course this was all going down in the dark so my ability to troubleshoot wasn't great. It'* actually being towed home (40 miles.....)

That does sound like an after market set up........you are not going to like my answer....remove the whole system and reconnect the wires.....

Aha! I feel like such a dork. Appears to have been the battery. I popped a new one in and so far good as new. I really need to work on not getting all wound up when the car isn't working right....

Thanks for posting the fix!
Cars can act real strange in the electrical department when the battery is weak or providing lower amps & voltage.
Don't feel like a dork, cause it is simply one of those things that makes you scratch your head, go hmmm, and then realize maybe it'* the battery!
It is a good idea once a year to have the battery load tested and alt output checked as well.
Check to make sure your battery terminals are always tight and clean, free from corrosion greatly helps too!

Thanks so much everyone! I really love my old Century. It'* never been anything but reliable, pretty efficient and of course super comfortable.

I wonder if you have a bad ground connection somewhere. I had a 91 Camry that was doing something very simular. also check battery cable at starter for corrosion. May be able to check ground by using a jumper cable from battery to chasis.Find a place with no paint if possible.

Whoops I see you've already solved the prob. Missed that one -