Hey guys! Warm weather is finally here on Long Island and I took advantage of it this weekend and worked on my cars. The Caddy needed brakes, so I installed a new set on the front axles. While I was there, I remembered I bought a set of speed bleeders for the 85 Vette, so I finished up the Caddy and jacked up the Vette to install the bleeders on all four corners. They work great by the way, the mushy pedal is gone and the braking now is better than before.

My neighbor came over to say "Hi" and while I was talking to her, my son unlocked the driver's door with the power lock switch, opened the door and set off the alarm. I took out my keys, placed them in the door lock, nothing, then tried the keys in the ignition to start the car and nothing happened. The horns just kept going off, no start, no crank, nothing. The hood was already open, so I unplugged the horns and proceeded to the fuse box, all fuses were good. I must of tried every combination I could, open door, closed door, locked door, etc., but I couldn't get the car to come to life. I finally removed the center radio bezel and the information center to pull the 10 amp fuse that sits behind there, next to the relays. I inspected the fuse and it was good, I put it back, turned the key and the car started. Anyone ever have this happen to them? Is my security module fried and that's why my keys didn't work? I've set the alarm off before and the keys worked those 2 times to turn off the alarm.

Any thoughts?

 

I think I figured it out. I worked the key in the lock a few times, locking and unlocking the doors. Then I set off the alarm, this time, the key disarmed the security system like it did before. Could it be the lock cylinder connections are dirty? I never use the key to lock the door, only unlock. I haven't tried the passenger side door yet, I'll do that one tonight.

 

The contact switch behind the door lock cylinder (it's actually a separate item, Mounted to the end of the lock cylinder inside the door) is a common malfunction. Not a lot of fun to replace, either.

Keep in mind that there is a switch in each door, Either door will work to disarm the alarm. The ignition switch does NOT disarm the alarm, once it is activated.

 

I thought only the driver's door deactivated the alarm, or I would have tried the passenger side door.

Any idea what the part number for that switch is?

 

no, both locks will turn it off


the alarm module is located on the back side of the bread box on the passengerside... you can get to it from underneath, but its a PITA... or you can simply pull the fuse behind the information panel