Uhoh, Car won't start...

This has been the second time I've experienced this issue. It's happened before about a year ago and magicly it cranked up fine like nothing happened... Here's what is happening...

When I put the key is and turn it, nothing happens period... no crank, no nothing... Just dash lights illuminate and the SECURITY light comes and stays on... The first time it happened it took me 20 minutes before it finally started up... ...this time it took about 5 minutes... Battery is brand new, cables are tight all around, no corrosion whatsoever. It just illuminates the security light and nothing happens... When I finally cranked it, I wasn't paying much attention but I think I had to wait until the security light went off... What's going on?

Sounds like a VATS issue, not recognizing the key. First thing to try is clean the resistor in the key.

Def a VATS issue.

Sounds like a VATS issue, not recognizing the key. First thing to try is clean the resistor in the key.

Okay, I'll do that, what would you recommend with, alcohol?... ...I'm also curious (because this only happens once in awhile) if for some reason this occurs only it stops altogether, what kind of repair (s) am I looking at?... where is VATS located and would I need a new ignition switch / key?

I am 99.9% sure what the problem is and it is the VATS system .... only it is not a problem with the resistor on the key.... the body control module is bad. This is the " brains" of the VATS . I went through exactly what you are describing and after changing the ignition switch along with new keys,I still had the problem . I complained to the service manager at the dealer for selling me something that I didn't need and they changed the body control module free of charge while I waited. I even got the old module back when they brought my car to me . Good luck .

I am 99.9% sure what the problem is and it is the VATS system .... only it is not a problem with the resistor on the key.... the body control module is bad. This is the " brains" of the VATS . I went through exactly what you are describing and after changing the ignition switch along with new keys,I still had the problem . I complained to the service manager at the dealer for selling me something that I didn't need and they changed the body control module free of charge while I waited. I even got the old module back when they brought my car to me . Good luck .

Cool did they tell you how much that normally would have costed? and eventually will it completely quit starting on me?

This is not an engine tech question and will be moved to general tech.

Cool did they tell you how much that normally would have costed? and eventually will it completely quit starting on me?

Yes, eventually your car won't start at all . If I remember correctly, I think the module is around $225 plus labor . The ignition switch installed plus two keys was $ 340 !!!! :eek::eek: