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It engages when the doors are locked, no matter the method.

Well, we spent hours checking spark plugs and relays, but no dice. I believe we decided the starter relay was clicking, but there was some confusion as to which relay was the starter.

How do you nail down problems with the security system, or VATS as I've heard it called?

I'm sure someone else will chime in for you but I think the security light on the dash will stay lit if it is tripped so to speak.

Umm well when you're sitting in the car, the security light responds to locking/unlocking the doors, when unlocked the light flashes, when locked it stays solid.

I keep hearing one way or the other....but where is the neutral safety switch exactly? On or in the transmission?

Do you have a different key you can try in the ignition?
I'm not sure on the neutral safety switch for sure but I think it would be on the tranny. If it don't start in park it should still start in neutral.
Rob

The NSS should be on the transmission itself. What makes you think it's an issue? Try starting it in every gear if you think it may be some kind of problem, if it cranks in any gear but Park and Neutral, it's shot.

I already tried my spare key.

I have no idea if its the NSS. We just ruled out the security system, at least I'm pretty sure we did, because the security light on the dashboard goes off after a few seconds of the key being in the on position. The NSS is the only other possibility I can thing of besides some random wire being cut. If it comes to that, though, I will really be at a loss, because I am no good with wires and electrical stuff.

[quote="dreadpiratesteve"]Umm well when you're sitting in the car, the security light responds to locking/unlocking the doors, when unlocked the light flashes, when locked it stays solid.[/quote
how long does it stay solid for? i think mine flashes when unlocked,and when locked goes to solid then off after a min or two

When you turn the key to the 'on' position, the SES, security, and SVS lights go on for a few seconds, then all go off at once. I never see it flashing.

dreadpiratesteve wrote:When you turn the key to the 'on' position, the SES, security, and SVS lights go on for a few seconds, then all go off at once. I never see it flashing.

mine flashes "security" until doors are locked,then goes solid and approx 1 min after doors are closed it goes off.

Well, OK, I see that, but that is it.

Someone told me about this 'security re-learn procedure' that I may need to do. I don't know why, I didn't touch anything electric besides the plug wires. Anyway, I attempted this procedure: http://www.intense-racing.com/sec_relearn.shtml
and it did nothing. I think it wasn't meant for the bonneville anyway, because my security light goes right off after an attempted crank.

Please someone at least tell me how to bypass the neutral safety switch/security system(or whatever else) properly so I can start my car. This is kind of getting ridiculous.

You won't be able to bypass the security. Did you check all the fuses under the hood and under the seat? Text below is taken from the owner's manual, however mine is a 2003. Someone else will have to verify if the function is the same in yours. If you read past the how-to activate, it appears to show your problem.

Universal Theft-Deterrent

If your vehicle has this feature, it has a theft-deterrent alarm system. With this system, the SECURITY light will flash as you open the door if your ignition is in OFF.

SECURITY

This light on the instrument panel cluster reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent system when leaving your vehicle.
To activate the system, do the following:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch while the door is open, or use the remote keyless entry transmitter (if equipped). The SECURITY light should come on and stay on.
3. Close all doors. The SECURITY light should go off after about 30 seconds and the system will then be armed.

If the SECURITY light comes on for one minute and then shuts off while the ignition is on, the security system has detected a problem. See your dealer for service.

If a door is opened without the key or remote keyless entry transmitter, or if the door key cylinders are damaged, the alarm will go off. The exterior lamps will flash and the horn will sound for 30 seconds, then will go
off in order to save battery power.

Remember, the theft-deterrent system won’t activate if you lock the doors with a key or manual door lock. It activates only if you use a power door lock switch while the door is open, or the remote keyless entry transmitter.

Avoid setting off the alarm by accident.

Always unlock a door with a key, or use the remote keyless entry transmitter. Unlocking a door any other way will set off the alarm.

If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock the driver’s door with your key. You can also turn off the alarm by pressing the button with the unlock symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter. The alarm won’t stop if you try to uniock a door any other way.

As I've stated, the security system is not tripped, the security light does NOT stay on when you turn the key.

dreadpiratesteve wrote:Well, OK, I see that, but that is it.

Someone told me about this 'security re-learn procedure' that I may need to do. I don't know why, I didn't touch anything electric besides the plug wires. Anyway, I attempted this procedure: http://www.intense-racing.com/sec_relearn.shtml
and it did nothing. I think it wasn't meant for the bonneville anyway, because my security light goes right off after an attempted crank.

Please someone at least tell me how to bypass the neutral safety switch/security system(or whatever else) properly so I can start my car. This is kind of getting ridiculous.

im sorry to hear your having that issue.....i hope you get it fixed soon.....

dreadpiratesteve wrote:As I've stated, the security system is not tripped, the security light does NOT stay on when you turn the key.

Sorry 'bout that, I read wdudetocool's post as yours.

steelmanwy wrote:

dreadpiratesteve wrote:As I've stated, the security system is not tripped, the security light does NOT stay on when you turn the key.

Sorry 'bout that, I read wdudetocool's post as yours.

its alright, I was just getting frustrated because of how long this has gone on. Someone told me it could be the crank sensor. How do I check that? Someone else said fuel pump, how about that, how do I know if its bad lol. I'm pretty sure I hear it prime when I turn the key to on, something makes a whirring noise anyway.

I'm not sure what the problem is. If I was guessing...I would still say the security system or neutral safety switch BUT I can tell you this...if the car does not turn over...(that is does not spin at all) then you can know for sure that the following is NOT your problem:
Fuel Pump
Crank Sensor
Any sensor on the engine really and any thing fuel related. I can't even think of a wire or anything on the engine that you could have left unplugged or cut or bumped that would cause this.

It would have nothing to do with anything except that which would shoot voltage down to the starter. I can tell you that I just sold a BMW that had the same exact problem about a month ago. Now Beemers and Bonnies are alot different and are known for different problems but I can tell you that my problem was the ignition switch. Now Beemers are known for this problem and Bonnies are not that I know of. I'm just saying it is something electrical or some switch, relay or something that has to do with car saying...hey this guy has the correct key and I have 12 volts. When he turns the key I'm going to shoot 12v to that starter and it will spin if the starter is ok. You say no voltage to the starter when the key is turned to the start postion correct? Then is has to be the security, ignition swich, any relays etc that are involved with that process.

Sorry for the long post guys and gals but come on...it is not the fuel pump or crank sensor if it will not even spin over right? I'm no mechanic so chime in if I'm wrong here but just using common sense.
course us missouri folks don't always have a lot of common sense.. lol
Rob

Definitely not crank sensor or fuel pump if starter doesn't spin. Trace the purple wire from the starter back to the fuse panel and see if there's 12 volts at the fuse panel. There is also the starter relay and a circuit breaker in the fuse panel. I don't know if the circuit breaker automatically resets if it's tripped, never had that problem.

Let's try this:
Look in the owner's manual index for the pages with the fuse locations. The diagrams on those pages should also show the locations of the relays. Locate & remove the starter relay. You should see some numbers on the bottom of the relay next to the terminals. Note where terminals 87 @ 30 are located. They will most likely be at a diagonal from each other. Next you need to replace the relay & see which sockets terminals 87 & 30 plug into. Remove the relay & with the key on use a short jumper wire to make a connection between the sockets that terminals 87 @ 30 went into. Did the starter crank over the engine & did the engine start & stay running?