1999 Chevy Monte Carlo Security Light / possible short

TECHNICO

MEMBER
1999 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
125,000 MILES

Security light (left side dash) on with 2 starts. Then, after driving to store, won't start again - power disappears on crank, no solenoid click. 2 hrs later, starts as if nothing happened. Drives for 3 days, 10+ starts.
Right after short drive and shutdown, turned ignition to on to close driver window but no lights, is completely dark. After never hearing the door open chime, before, I now hear it. Left overnight, now I hear a clicking noise in the right side of the trunk, No start, no power, still getting a strong door open chime. Obviously a wiring issue. Dealer says it is the cylinder lock having "high resistance" causing system to not read the key (has a resistor) which seems fairly ridiculous.

6 Replies

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
18,828 POSTS

Hi technico
Security system fairly complex suggest you go to an Auto Zone have codes read then post and will advise.
If DIY you will need instructions click on bottom site of reply and for $9.95 you'll get Mutchelll manual for your car.

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Thursday, December 4th, 2008 AT 8:40 AM

TECHNICO

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4 POSTS

Only code is something about the catalytic converter pre-system - mechanic said it's probably the O2 sensor and unrelated - the check engine light had been on for a couple of weeks previously - but I can't get it read now since the car is dead at my work.

I tried to chase down the clicking noise - it is coming from the far right side between the trunk and the back shelf - to the right of the speaker.

Also, this morning, I found an orange wire coming from the steering column that looks like it was cut about 8 inches from the bottom of the column.

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Thursday, December 4th, 2008 AT 8:56 AM

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
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Can you see the other end of orange wire? The only orange wire fron collum goes to theft deterant module. So when dealer said high resistence he was right if this is that wire you don't get higher resistence than cut.
The only relay under package shelf is for rear brake light. Look back there have someone operate key and see whats clicking.
If you have both ends of orange wire spli ce see what happens.
Is this car new to you? Who would have cut?

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Thursday, December 4th, 2008 AT 2:04 PM

TECHNICO

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Car is a junker that I picked up to tide me over until I could get a new car after my sentra got too expensive to fix ('92 SE w/ 365K mi).

Rear brake light relay - check. Seems right, wires go to the rear right lights and the trunk latch. The panel under the steering wheel that has the remote trunk release button was in the trunk when I got it. Found a lever on the left side of the trunk latch that will cause the relay to click when manually adjusted up or down.

As for the Orange wire - the dealer said that the lock cylinder wire was "spliced" - the car had a older gps unit in it at one time according to the previous owner - and the radio came in a box. The radio wires are bare and bundled waiting to be connected to a harness. So, I'm guessing that some modification was done then removed and maybe I was just getting lucky that the car ran at all for the last six months? - Or I did something to cause the Orange wire to break when I was messing with the radio wires.

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Friday, December 5th, 2008 AT 12:13 PM

TECHNICO

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I can't find where the wire is supposed to go. It leads up the column and has about 6-8 inches free out the bottom end. No clue where it should connect. No sight of other orange wires. There is also a taped set of three wires with resistors at the end of each one and then soldered together - looks pretty fishy, i'll try to get a photo.