Hi there,

I have a '99 Seville in RHD and sold new in the UK. It has an issue with the security system in that when you lock the vehicle from the remote keyfob everything locks OK and the security system activates but the indicator lights will continue to flash on a double pulse cycle.

The only way to not have the indicators flashing like this is to not use the remote fob to lock the vehicle but just lock it from the 'lock' switch on the door.

I have now taken the vehicle to two different specialists, one a local indepedant company that specialises in American vehicles, the second was Stratstone's who are an authorised Cadillac dealer here in the UK.

I have just returned from Stratstone's today and they like the other company found no error's/DTC's when they connected it up to the diagnostic gear. Turns out that the security system (so they say), was something installed here in the UK for the UK market and is unique to the vehicle. They continued that the GM diagnostic gear will not communicate with the security system so there is no chance of finding any error codes that way.

They recommended I take the vehicle to the only place in the UK that may be able to fix it, Bauer Millet in Manchester, quite some distance from me. I have contacted BM and am waiting on their response on the issue. The service guy at Stratstone's seemed to imply that he had been talking to BM on the issue and they said it could be a faulty horn module but this is not available separately and you have to buy a complete alarm module which could be, if still available around 600 - 800 UK pounds!

If this is not available they said I may have to have the security system disabled

Will keep you all up to speed but would appreciate any other comments from owners who may have had similar problems

 

The system was fitted by a Company called LITEON because Vauxhall had to fit a Cat 1 Alarm to all Camaros, Blazers and Cadillacs in the UK, Tech 2 will not show any problems as this is not a GM alarm and was fiited at the UK ports or at the dealerships, Stratstones knowledge on early cadillacs will not be as good. you can try Ian Goss services in London,Or Bauer Millett as they know the cars they have always sold them. The Alarm is 10 years old now so it may be better to just replace it?

 

Thanks Vet Guru, that makes alot of sense. I just telephoned Ian Goss and he knew exactly what the problem was before I even finished explaining it lol.

Basic diagnosis is that the alarm system has failed. He got me to lock the car using the door switch on the rear passenger door and this has exactly the same effect as using the remote. This, Ian explained, points to a faulty alarm unit which are no longer available.

Cost of repair/installation of new alarm system deemed to be problematic and way too costly to justify. Just keep continuing to lock the car from the drivers door lock switch and can use unlock from remote fob.

Craig

 

No Problems! Ian Goss is really good for service work as well, He works on all my cars I use to have a STS but have just bought a CTS.

 

Well, well! I have another update to give you on this subject. Bauer Millet came back to me today, here is their response:

Dear Sir, I am surprised that the so called 'specialists' that you entrust
your car to for work to be carried out do not appear to know what they are talking about.

The alarm system fitted to your vehicle was installed at the port of entry
when it was imported to the UK and is most definitely not a system built
into the car in production. This is the reason all your specialists cannot
interrogate the alarm system by any amount of computers or software.
The fault you are experiencing I have seen many times before. As the system gets older it degrades and causes a number of faults, the most complained of is the hazard and sidelights continue to flash whilst the system is armed and depending on weather conditions (dry/wet) this may come and go.

To repair the problem you have few options firstly, you could try and find
the original specification alarm system that I believe used to be available
through Vauxhall, but I am sure after 10 years there are none left as we
have previously tried to buy them without success.

The only repair we have found to be effective is to modify the existing
system so that the remote controls still work on the car, but the alarm is
disarmed to avoid all your previously mentioned flashing lights.
The cars own security will still work although there will be no alarm siren.
This repair takes about 2 hours to complete and will cost £160.00 plus VAT.

I trust this helps
Regards
Chris McDonald MIMI
Aftersales Director

For the money I think it's a worthwhile fix. Of course if someone has paid top Dollar for their car (which I didn't, got it well under market value), then the cost of such a repair could seem too much to live with.

I will be planning on heading up to Manchester in the near future so will update you all once I return.

Best regards,

Craig

 

The other thing is Try LITE ON these were the guys who installed the systems in the Cars,Not sure if they are still going? Bauer Millett are very good and know those cars inside and out!

 

Not really finding anything related for LITE ON, but I have found out the part number Vauxhall assigned to the alarm unit they had fitted to the cars. It's highly likely that there are none anywhere in Europe but it just so happens that my brother-in-law was an end of line vehicle inspector for years at the Vauxhall plant in Luton. He has lifetime GM discount, not to mention he is a qualified mechanic so he is currently contacting all his old Vauxhall resources to see if the part number we have been given ties up with any available parts.

This story is not over yet....

 

Not sure if the alarm was the same fitted in the UK as the Blazer? This was also used on the Vauxhall Sintra.

 

I should have listed the part number we were given for the alarm, it's: 09193116

Craig

 

Folks, there is a way around this. when using the remote locking, if you press the lock button, then unlock and finally lock again then the car will remote lock and the lights will not continue to flash. Be careful to ensure that on each of these 3 steps the car locks (step 1), then driver door only unlocks - as is normally the case (step 2), then lock again.