safari wont start sometimes, security light flash?

[rodtremblay85]

Hi, my 98 slt will refuse to start for about 10 or 12 minutes at a time, only once a week or so. always starts instantly and runs perfect any other time, no sputter etc. it always starts 10-20 minutes later but a big pain when you have to get to work. it will crank the engine but seems like it is immobilizing the fuel pump? anyone know whats going on? thanks rod

[LEVE]

When does the security light come on?

Does the hard start condition occur ALWAYS with the security light coming on?

Are any OBDII codes being set?

it is immobilizing the fuel pump? anyone know whats going on? thanks rod

First thing to do is to see what pressure the fuel pump is supplying.

How many miles on the van?

When it's hard starting you can lift the hood, spray a little starting fluid into the air intake. Then try to start the engine. If it takes right of and runs on the starting fluid, it's likely a fuel pump problem.

That's where I'd start.. but then, I'm just sayin'.....

[alexalexanders]

Does it start for like a second and die? Cause if so it the vans pass lock system preventing it to start.I had the same problem on my 98 malibu. I was on a malibu forum and they told me that you have to reset it to start the car by turning the key to the on setting for 10-12 min and the when the light stops flashing turn the key off for 5 seconds and the car will start. Its caused by a pass lock sensor goin bad. Problem is they either go forever and go out or they go out right then. The pass lock sensor was like $80 for the car, but that forum knew a way to disable it, so i just did that. But i dont know if the diable process is the same on the van. Also this may NOT be your problem but it sounds like what the car did.

[fast68]

ive been through this before, its the passlock

it resets if you leave key in run position for up to 15 minute but usually around 10 or 12

some of them have a yellow wire out of the key sensor around the igniton tumbler and if you snip it the ligt will be always on but it will disable the system and it will always start then.

i had to do this on one a couple years ago because we tried everything even having the controller rebuilt twice for 200 a pop and was all to no avail.

we still have it and it still runs starts perfect always

do some google searching on passlock for your year make model and how to correct or disable it

thats how i found out how to do ours

this was a huge problem in the 90s

very common

[Phantom]

I also had this problem on a Buick and it was the Passkey passlock security , there is a wire that comes down the steering column that comes from the key sensor , you can snip it and insert a resistor into it series wired and it will start and the security light will not stay on, look up a how-to on remote start setups they will have diagrams and pics

[rodtremblay85]

Awesome, is this the same system known as "theftlock" on the 98 safaris? because I have instructions in the haynesmanual to disable this. Just did a 20000 km road trip and it only did it once, but it barely started after cranking until the battery almost died! thanks for all the info again!

[LEVE]

you can snip it and insert a resistor into it series wired and it will start and the security light will not stay on

Just know the resistor you need... when the key's inserted into the ignition the passcode reader will read the resistance and disable the security. The resister is on the key.... Go ---------> HERE <-----

[Phantom]

You can take your key to a locksmith or dealer and they can tell you which key number you have , and the resistor ohm rating , if you cannot get a good reading with a meter, then you'll know which resistor to use, sorry I forgot to say that before

[astroturf]

Thanks for the Link Leve

Jim