03 Dec 11 17:58, Mark Hofmann wrote to All:   
      
      
    MH> Since it has started to get colder up here, my daughter's car has had   
    MH> an occational problem starting.  From what she describes, the lights   
    MH> dim and it won't crank over.  Trying it several more times and then   
    MH> all of a sudden, it just starts.   
      
    MH> We did just replace the battery a few weeks ago, and the cables look   
    MH> good.   
      
    MH> I'm thinking it is ignition related.  Her Cougar has a security   
    MH> system, where it will disable the car if the proper conditions aren't   
    MH> met.  I found this out after doing some work on it where I removed   
    MH> the battery last year.   
      
   The ignition key for that car has a RF chip in it that must talk to the   
   RFI chip onboard the car. If it's like a GM system, the security system is   
   linked by a rod at the ignition lock to a box at the base of the steering   
   column. If it's like my Z28 (1998), there is a resistor in the key that   
   completes a circuit so that the security system will allow the starter to   
   engage. If the resistor or any contacts are dirty or not making contact,   
   you can't start the car.   
      
   There must be a way to disable the system so this problem won't happen.   
      
    MH> From the keyfob, you must lock/unlock the car before starting it -   
    MH> after the battery has been disconnected and reconnected.  That resets   
    MH> the security system.   
      
    MH> Sometimes when she hits bumps in the road, the car alarm chirps.  We   
    MH> found out it is due to the ignition on the steering wheel, because if   
    MH> you mess with the keys while the car is running, you can sometimes   
    MH> get it to chirp.   
      
    MH> I'm thinking there is some type of thing that is screwed up with the   
    MH> ignition. Not sure that it is worth the effort to fix since the   
    MH> problem is not all the time and fiddling with it generally gets it   
    MH> working again.   
      
    MH> Probably not a cheap or easy repair, either.   
      
   Next time I get to the shop, I'll use the online reference on their   
   computer and see if there's a fix...can't promise anything.   
      
      
                   R\%/itt   
      
      
     ,,,By the time you find greener pastures, you can't climb the fence!   
      
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