Each time starts and the same second shuts off

Tiny
KIRJANOV
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SATURN SL2
  • 1.9L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I am helping Saturn owner who gave his car to a bad friend. It was explained that they ripped off ignition tumbler (key-part, mechanical that is). What I saw was the tumbler was totally blown, someone drilled out as much as they could, but still did not know how to take out the lock cylinder. The drilled/totally damaged part of cylinder appears to be away from the electric sensor at the right bottom of the bracket/lock especially if you turn lock clockwise. They were able to turn the lock tumbler but engine won't stay running, shuts off the very second it starts. As many times as one wants. I found the three wires, black, yellow, white cut, instead of taking out the connector from the security sensor/switch. As if they tried to connect in different test ways the wires by hand while crank/started. I took out the tumbler and bought a new generic part. I am puzzled about putting in the new cylinder. (And it still have to be "programmed" by locksmith) since on the part of old, the broken one that faces security there is no damage. What if the new one will do the same? In the lock housing the opening is too narrow to see if there was any end lever with switch or is it electromagnetic? Hard to tell looking, if something wrong at the end of tunnel where security switch actuated.
Saturday, March 9th, 2019 AT 3:13 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Hello,

Is the security light flashing? If so the system is enabled. If you are using a new key it must be programmed to the car which the dealer can do if you bring the VIN and proof of ownership. Here are diagrams and instructions on how to replace the ignition tumbler below. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 10:59 AM
Tiny
KIRJANOV
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Okay, Ken, I am back to this problem.
First, thank you for your attention!
I was away for a while.
So, it looks like this:
I do not recall security light flashing. Remember steady tiny red light;
the key is original (though locksmith - he was not auto-tech) expressed his concern about "too worn out"
I have replaced the tumbler tuned to that key back then. That did not change anything at all! I was turning ignition with a screwdriver and after momentarily starting it dies, and the same by doing it with a key/new tumbler. I even put then a EFI -node on injector to verify it was really cut off injection pulses. So it was!
I also tried different combinations of those 3 wire to EM security little black module on the right (Since when I got onto the car somebody tried lots of things before, the three wires were cut ). From straight color-to-color connect and all imaginable (and not) things. No difference.

So, the BCM doesn't still recognize the key or little EM module is bad?
BCM is no good: I also noted that the mileage on the dash lighted as 000 000 when I saw this Saturn very first time and now I do not see anymore little red light, I think I remember seen tiny word "security".

Option two: PCM no good
now when I turn the key/tumbler to "on" all the dash lights blink irrationally but synchronously for about some 3 -4 or so seconds. Was not that way when I got to the car first.
Although it does same thing after they stabilize, which - if you crank - starts and dies off immediately.

Option 3 both are no good. But how that is possible?

I also received information that there are only 6 possible ways of security responses from little black plastic on ignition housing to BCM. They would equivalent - in ohms - to precision resistors from 1.27 ohm to 6-something ( as far as I remember, have it written down) serially plugged into yellow/light green wire in the central BCM connector (only one this color). The story goes, it's only one that works for that-programmed BCM, you just have to try one by one. But it is a hassle to find a precision (1/10 of an ohm, I suppose) resistors, 6 of them and what if computers no good!

If I am to replace BCM, it has to be towed to other side of Hawaii island to Toyota dealer to program to original key that we have and if that won't work.

What is your opinion?
Also,
Were you the only one that saw my question, or just no one else knows those Saturn security -things?

Aloha,
Kirk
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Saturday, May 11th, 2019 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
KIRJANOV
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Forgot to mention. I put a working SnapOn (older) scanner on OBDII jack and screen don't light, no communication. No visible wires broken there or strange. Tried to see what can I do about replacing computers.
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Saturday, May 11th, 2019 AT 9:48 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
The no communication is what bothers me, lets check the body fuse under the hood for power. Here is the fuse location and a guide to help you check with the wiring diagrams for the ALDL connector so you can see how it works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, May 13th, 2019 AT 1:07 PM

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