93 Buick Lesabre. Possible security lockout, or something else?

Question

I'm stumped. My dad and I are trying to fix my 93 Buick Lesabre which isn't starting. At first I was seeing the SECURITY light on the dash. I took it to a shop and they told me it was the key and/or tumbler. They showed me that by turning the key to the 'on' position and then disconnecting and reconnecting a wire block from the ignition below the steering column it would start.

My dad and I tried replacing the ignition switch (we have the column dropped) to no avail. I got a new key made thinking it was the resistor. No luck. We shorted the starter to see if that was the problem. The starter fires and the vehicle runs but won't stay running. We shorted the diagnostic pins and all we get from the computer is

12(diagnostic mode) over and over.

Could this still be the tumbler and the security feature not reading the resistance from the key?

Bruce Chang · Accepted Answer

If you buy a new ignition switch from the dealer, it should come with keys that will work. If you have the old key and can get the resistor value, you can bypass the VATS system and just put a resistor in so that they system thinks the resistor is there. Then you can cut a regular key and not have to worry about a VATS key anymore.

-Bruce

aarcuda69062 · Answer

In article , "chaThe outer part of the lock cylinder is what 'reads' the resistor pellet in the key, they do wear out.Did the replacement key have the correct resistor value?The ignition switch has nothing to do with the VATS.You can measure the resistor pellet in the old key with an ohmmeter, then substitute a Radio Shack resistor of the same value at the connector your mechanic pulled apart below the steering column. if the engine starts and stays running, you've narrowed it down...Flash codes repeat three times, did you get code 12 at least four times?

Dave in Columbus · Answer

Here's an article from  Motor Age that might help:

93 Buick Lesabre. Possible security lockout, or something else?

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