jglawnyc Posted May 29, 2017 Share Posted May 29, 2017 Hi fellow owners: My '91 Reatta has developed problems starting. After sitting overnight or for a very long time, with the key in the on position, the security light will go out and the car will start. The rest of the times (even after having just driven it for 30 mins or more) when I attempt to start, the security light will stay on steadily and the car will not crank (it does make any cranking noise, not even a click) and does not start. I recently replaced the battery and checked the connections from battery to the vehicle and all seem to be fine. I tested the ohm/impedance tested the coils and all seemed to be fine. I thought it might be the ignition pass key system (all ready tried both keys, no difference), or the cutoff switch connected to driver window up button, but if that does not explain why it will start that one time per day. Please let me know if you have any ideas what I should try next to help narrow down and solve this issue? thanks in advance jg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted May 29, 2017 Share Posted May 29, 2017 Welcome to the forum! I think the problem is with the security system but I can't explain why it would only start when it is cold. There is a starter interrupt relay in the system that could be getting hot or is otherwise defective causing it to only start when it has cooled off. A common problem is for the security system wires breaking that go down the steering column. Information on that is below. You might find the wiring diagrams below useful. I don't know if the '91 model is the same. VATS/Passkey System Bypass Instructions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jglawnyc Posted May 30, 2017 Topic Author Share Posted May 30, 2017 Thanks Ronnie: She wouldn't start at all today....looked for the schematic you sent in the shop manual but couldn't find it, so I printed your reply. I got contorted under the left side of the dash in the foot-well but did see any of the components. Please help me orient myself....do I need to remove the dash and light switch module to get at the theft interrupt, or is it in the engine bay under the power brake system? Barney Eaton had suggested crank position sensor or coil pack with circuit board. I may have to get a mechanic involved but trying hard to figure it out myself. This is much more complicated than my 65 Skylark! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 It is on the inside near the parking brake under the dash. Maybe this photo will give you an idea about how to find it. It's not going to be easy to get at. Your '91 might be different. Barney knows his stuff but in your first post I understood you to say the starter wasn't turning "not even a click". If that is correct the crank sensor or the other ignition parts won't cause that. Another possibility you might want to check is the park/neutral safety switch on the transmission but I don't know how heat would effect it. http://reattaowner.com/forum/attachment.php?thumbnail=506[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droid5977 Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 I had a very similar problem. It would start fine cold, but if I drove it for awhile and shut it off, nothing, I would have to let it sit for 20 min. to a half hour and then it would start again. Mine turned out to be theft deterrent relay. To locate the theft deterrent module, you will have to remove the hood latch release lever and move it out of the way. Have a good bright flashlight. A 10mm socket with a long extension is enough to remove the one bolt. Pull down the module and swap out the relay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marty196 Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 I had a similar problem. The car would start fine. After driving a while, it would not start. I am sure you have checked this possible fault. My negative battery cable connection side bolt was partially stripped. It would snug up but would loosen enough to prevent a circuit. Other times, it would make a high rasp that sounded like a solenoid. $1.99 fro two bolts at Autozone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogware Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 Marty196 - I had the exact same problem, and replaced mine and no more problem. I first realized what was going on when I turned on my AC for the first time and the car died, wouldn't start. I waited for 15mins turned off the AC and I heard this click like a relay was being reset. So then I tried starting it and it did. I then hesitantly turned on the AC and same thing, so I started checking the connections and that is when I found that my Negative cable was a little loose still snug like you say but just enough to cause my problems. I tried tightening it but it was stripped also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jglawnyc Posted June 6, 2017 Topic Author Share Posted June 6, 2017 I had a very similar problem. It would start fine cold, but if I drove it for awhile and shut it off, nothing, I would have to let it sit for 20 min. to a half hour and then it would start again. Mine turned out to be theft deterrent relay. To locate the theft deterrent module, you will have to remove the hood latch release lever and move it out of the way. Have a good bright flashlight. A 10mm socket with a long extension is enough to remove the one bolt. Pull down the module and swap out the relay. The timing of this is ironic as I went to my mechanic today (in my wonderful new Envision) and discussed the matter with him, arranging to bring in the Reatta next week for a pass-key bypass. Now droid, you've convinced me to swap out the relay myself and see if that works. Towards that end, can you advise the part number, type and where you got the theft deterrent relay? Is it available in the Reatta Store? Much thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 The timing of this is ironic as I went to my mechanic today (in my wonderful new Envision) and discussed the matter with him, arranging to bring in the Reatta next week for a pass-key bypass. Now droid, you've convinced me to swap out the relay myself and see if that works. Towards that end, can you advise the part number, type and where you got the theft deterrent relay? Is it available in the Reatta Store? Much thanks!! I can't find a part number for that relay. I don't think a specific relay is in the Reatta Store to replace the starter interrupt relay. If you can get it out your local auto parts store should be able to match it up for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jglawnyc Posted June 7, 2017 Topic Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 Thanks so much again guys. Armed with the advice and photos/diagrams, I contorted myself back under the dash to pull the relay and head to autozone......and couldn't find anything. I knew it wouldn't be easy but geez, it's a complicated mess under there, and nothing looks like shown in he diagrams. It was at this point that I realized that droid was referring to the theft deterrent relay, and Ronnie the starter interrupt relay, neither of which I could locate after an hour of trying. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Bypass scheduled for next weeK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 It's possible the relays could be in a different location on your '91. Let me see if I can find any information that might tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 It appears the theft deterrent system in the '91 is in about the same location under the dash but it is different than the earlier models. Perhaps the photos below will help you. http://reattaowner.com/forum/attachment.php?aid=511[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droid5977 Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 The relay I swapped out was the common one used throughout our Reattas. Sorry, I'm not sure of the part #. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jglawnyc Posted July 13, 2017 Topic Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 Well Reatta brothers, just to come full circle and end this mystery........after contorting the human body in ways never intended by our maker, we were able to get the starter (theft deterrent) relay swapped out. My green '91 was apparently unhappy and did not respond kindly, or rather, at all. Thereafter, trying daily for its occasional start, it decided to come alive earlier this week and I drove it straight to my trusted mechanic for a pass-key by-pass. Four days later baby is safely tucked comfortably in the driveway with its starting issues resolved. The mechanic decided to do his own thing and ended up replacing the ignition key tumbler and column wiring connecting it to the pass-key system. Everything works great now and my security system is still intact and I even unexpectedly lost a little extra weight (in my wallet) (not to mention the new battery which had been a suspect at the dawn of this story). Now gallantly on to the replacement of the blower control module, which luckily I can do myself... some new speakers......the ever-so-just-starting to sag headliner..........new tires................perhaps a repaint......................jeez, where does it end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 That's great!!! Thanks for letting us know how it turned out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReattaMondatta Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 (edited) I have an intermittent starting problem exactly as droid described below... I have addressed all battery cable connections, fuses, most wiring connections. Bypassed the anti-theft. Next is to swap out the anti-theft relay, then move onto the starter... On 6/1/2017 at 7:51 AM, droid5977 said: I had a very similar problem. It would start fine cold, but if I drove it for awhile and shut it off, nothing, I would have to let it sit for 20 min. to a half hour and then it would start again. Mine turned out to be theft deterrent relay. To locate the theft deterrent module, you will have to remove the hood latch release lever and move it out of the way. Have a good bright flashlight. A 10mm socket with a long extension is enough to remove the one bolt. Pull down the module and swap out the relay. I have a 1990 and I am pretty sure the cream-colored block in the picture is the theft deterrent relay. But I am not sure. Can anyone confirm? This photo is above the parking brake & ALDL. (side question...Anyone know what the orange/black striped wire and black slip-on connection to the body is (with red-tipped bolt on the left side of these photos)? Looks like a ground for something. The male component is a flat copper connector.) Edited September 23 by ReattaMondatta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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