[Geoff Welsh]

This may sound funny, but both the dealer and the local locksmith seem totally confused as to replacing an ignition lock cylinder, with the wires for a resistor key. (91 Bird, no start, resistor wire broken in column).
Seems to me that the RIGHT way to do this is to buy the lock cylinder assy. _and_ a key blank with a resistor matching the old resistor. Then cut the new resistor key to match the plain key that comes with the cylinder.
Am I right here?

Thanks,
GW

[Geoff Welsh]

This may sound funny, but both the dealer and the local locksmith seem totally confused as to replacing an ignition lock cylinder, with the wires for a resistor key. (91 Bird, no start, resistor wire broken in column).
Seems to me that the RIGHT way to do this is to buy the lock cylinder assy. _and_ a key blank with a resistor matching the old resistor. Then cut the new resistor key to match the plain key that comes with the cylinder.
Am I right here?

Thanks,
GW

[Ken French]

You need to go to another dealer, or talk to an educated parts person for the correct replacement parts. There is also another way to bypass the system. Installers of remote car starter systems bypass the key resister, with an inline resister of the same value of the key resistance. Then you won't ever have to worry about that stinkin' wire breaking again------and it will!!!

[Geoff Welsh]

Thanks for your input Ken.
We would like to repair this vehicle properly, so rigging it up with a resistor, is right out and unfortunately there is only one GM dealer on the island, that's why I posted to cyberspace.

Any other experiences?
GW

[David Holmberg]

Talk to an Auto Alarm installer, like was mentioned above, as they can install a resistor that will allow the car to start.
Now, that is IF the resistor is causing the problem.

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If you can read this, thank a teacher.... If you are reading it in
English, thank a Soldier.

[Geoff Welsh]

A different locksmith was called in and he knew the drill. Here it is:
There are 15 different value resistors. He stocks them all. He put the old key in a little magic machine which told him it was a "code 4" key. He then pulled out a new code 4 key and cut it to match the gold key that came with the new ignition lock cylinder. I didn't get a chance to install the new cylinder today, but it's ready to go on Monday.

"The More You Know"

Aloha,
GW