I have two small little quirks with my car.

1)My lamp monitor panel has some strange habits. It either works, shows 3-4 lamps out, of shows all of them flashing. Dealer replacement is over $300, Is there a simple fix?

2)My "security" light on the dash panel stays lit for about a half hour every time you start the car. What would make it do that?

Flatrater, Please respond.

Over the years I haven't had too many problems with the lamp monitors. But the way it works is the monitor watches voltage on the circuit, when it sees a change in the resistance it will light up the monitor for that circuit. Now they only way for the lights to all be flashing is for the monitor to lose battery power. In the last 2 years I have had 2 cars that had some weird problems with the lighting system and both times the lamp control module was at fault. The module over time gets loose pins on the connector and they will get hot and start melting the plastic. Your Lamp control module is located near the floor, look by your defroster vent behind it is your lamp control module, if you can remove the wiring harness check to see if any are burnt or dark in color.

The security light is alittle harder. We have to figure out if the CTD or the VTD is the problem. You have 2 different security systems on your car. One is the Content theft and the other is the Vehicle theft. The CDT prevents theft of your belongings and VDT prevents theft of the car. Does the alarm ever go off? Usually this would be the CTD system. Does your car fail to start? Turning your key and no starter engagment? Your VTD has a 10 minute counter on it preventing the car from starting. We have a tool called the VATS tester to test this system. BUt usually it turns out to be a broken wire from the key cylinder to the base of the column. It has 2 fine wires on it and over time they strecth and break. Another cause would be dirt in the key cylinder where the car cannot read the key right.

Here is how a VATS tester works!! It is an expensive tool that the GM dealers had to buy. Get a multimeter go across you key pellet measure the resistance! Now go to Radio Shack buy the same resistor, remove the lower hush panel on the driver's side. You will see a big wiring harness, follow the wires down from the column they end at the connector. Take a 7mm socket seperate the connecotr on one end or the other end you will see 2 white wires surrounded by an orange conduit. Put your resistor across the 2 wires, plug everything back together and try staring the car watching the security light. Is it on or off?

Here is the DTC tree for security light on and engine starts!

SECURITY Indicator Always On or Flashing, Engine Starts
Step
Action
Yes
No

1
Did you perform the Vehicle Theft Deterrent (VTD) System Check?
Go to Step 3
Go to Vehicle Theft Deterrent (VTD) System Check

2
Perform a lock cylinder and key test using J 35628-A Interrogator.

Did the test pass?
Go to Step 3
Go to Step 8

3
Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
Disconnect the Theft Deterrent Module Connector.
Turn the ignition switch to RUN.
Does the SECURITY indicator turn OFF?
Go to Theft Deterrent Control Module Replacement
Go to Step 4

4
Is the vehicle equipped with content theft deterrent (UA6)?
Go to Step 5
Go to Step 6

5
Disconnect the remote function actuator (RFA) module connector.

Does the SECURITY indicator turn OFF?
Go to Step 7
Go to Step 6

6
Repair short to ground in CKT 264. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the repair complete?
Go to Vehicle Theft Deterrent (VTD) System Check
--

7
Replace the RFA module. Refer to Remote Control Door Lock Receiver Replacement .

Is the replacement complete?
Go to Vehicle Theft Deterrent (VTD) System Check
--

8
Repair short to ground or open in circuits 1073 or 1074. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?
System OK
Go to Ignition Lock Cylinder Replacement - On Vehicle

Thanks Flatrater, I'dd have to try those tests, I've never had the fail to engage starter problem, but my grandma's park avenue has. I'll also check the lamp control module.

Thanks again!

Could the lamp control module also take out the Parking lights & interior cluster lights? (fuses & bulbs are fine) ('94 Buick LeSabre)

Could the lamp control module also take out the Parking lights & interior cluster lights? (fuses & bulbs are fine) ('94 Buick LeSabre)

I see this problem whith an aftermarket stereo when you use the dash light wire as a ground

my 95 park avenue had a problem with the lamp monitor flashing all lamps, but only sometimes. It turned out to be the battery that was starting to deteriorate. replaced battery and has been good for a year now.

No, brand new battery.

I know I have a Checy Mont Carlo, but I have the problem of the starter failing to engage. But the problem seem different than posted here. WHat we have to do is wait about 2 minutes after trying to start with no engagement and then it will start. This is very consistent. Like some kind of timer delay. Also we are using a HAynes manual and can not find the Theft Derrerant Control Module.
Would the resistor defeat this system if we wanted to work around tearing down the steering columb if it is the wiring?
Thanks
Jim

I had the not starting problem also. The dealer first told me it was the Vehicle Anti Theft System (VATS), so after they replaced it they said it would start but would die immediately. After further diagnostic charges they told me they found a ground wire from the VATS that was not needed to be re-grounded. I took it home and it started having problems starting again. They finally told me the Programmable Computer Module (PCM) would not send the correct codes, so that was replaced. But now after all of that, I am getting the all lights flashing in my lamp monitor problem. Some one help. Which battery is going bad, the car battery or one specially for the monitor?

There is not a battery specifically for the lamp monitors...