Security Glitch

I have a ’97 Oldsmobile Achieva. It has been an excellent car except for something I didn’t find out until after I bought the car. They developed a high-tech security system that interacts with the ignition called an anti-theft system. Its purpose is to prevent your car being stolen by someone who doesn’t have the authorized key. I mean, how would they get a duplicate key made unless you lost yours and they happened to find it, or they stole it from you...and if yours were stolen, you’d re-key the car anyway.

The car won’t start unless the ignition recognizes the factory or original key—“Hello Mr. Key, haven’t I seen you somewhere before?” That, in itself, is ok. The glitch is that frequently the security system doesn’t recognize the bona fide and authentic key --I’m the real owner! --

That happens about every other time that I try to start the car. If I turn the key over one time and it doesn’t start, but the next time it does, no big deal. If it doesn’t start after the 4th or 5th attempt, the security light starts blinking. There are pages of security-light complainers who explain their woes in detail on the internet. I know I’ll have to wait for 8-10 minutes until the light goes out before making another attempt. It won’t start at all while it’s blinking. I’ve learned to be a good sight-seer, reader and jogger during those choice moments. I also have some life-time friends now who saw me stranded by the side of the road and stopped to offer help. When it first happened I kept trying to start the car. After ten minutes and still ‘no startie’, I gave up and realized the car had beaten me. Have you ever lost a hand to hand battle with a hunk of metal? I did, not just once, but many times. It was then I finally asked Bill Gates to help me understand the problem.

Addendum--- I have discovered the secret to the security dilemma with the Olds. If there are others experiencing a similar problem with their GM auto, get in touch with me and I‘ll gladly share the secret.

Addendum #2---I repent of what I just said. Yesterday the car acted up again and I took it to the dealers’. Two hours after dropping it off, I called to ask how they were doing. “Not good. The car starts every time he turns it over.” The first time I actually want the car not to start, it does; and every time!

My wife’s had some good chats with Dai-Dai recently. She shares with me some of their conversations. She tells me that he—(for her it’s a he…for me it’s a she) is the other love in her life. He never complains or talks back, and my wife is always right! I used to take a 2nd seat to Mozart. Now Dai-Dai has taken his place. After my wife shared her dementia with me, I decided to chat with Olds. If he doesn’t get his act together, I’ll either sell him to the lowest bidder (destroy self-esteem) or have him towed to the junkyard to hang out with all the other has-beens. I should have done this before I took him to the Dealer. I might not have had to take him at all!

Addendum #3--- I have to share my success story with you. The dealership repairman finally got the car not to start, and fixed the problem (I still have my fingers crossed!). I’m $300 poorer, but have conquered fear #7. I now own an auto whose ignition is worth 2/3 the book value of the car.

Addendum #4---. I uncrossed my fingers a few days ago. They got tired. Mistake! A week and a half after the car was ‘fixed’ guess what happened? I uttered a frustrated and perturbed prayer that God would help me. This was the last straw, now it was all up to Him. I managed to get the car started and drove home, and the answer to my prayer was in the mail box when I came home: a letter from Oldsmobile Service informing me of a factory defect. There is a recall out for an ignition problem and it will be fixed by the dealer with no charge and I will be reimbursed for everything spent up to now.

Addendum #5: The dealer looked up the security code for the recall. It was for a different problem. So we’re back to square #1. He’s now looking in his crystal ball for another answer.