Impala Passlock Issues - A Solution?

[Tim_MN]

I have a 2003 Impala, purchased in 2009, and first had the Passlock problem over a year ago. I did the "turn key to ON and wait 10 mins til Security light stops flashing" thing a number of times. Then my key also started getting stuck in the ignition, so I had the tumbler replaced. No Passlock problems after that! Until one day last month, the dreaded Security light came on while driving and, soon enough, was dealing with the won't start issue again.

I looked anew for solutions and came across the following (maybe on this site, but I can't recall) and it has been working so far (six weeks and counting...). The light has come on a few times while driving, but using the following steps every time I start the car, I have not had the "won't start" problem. I do not know if this a real solution, or just coincidence that my car has started every time. But I'll continue to do it until it's proven not to work:

Every time you drive:

1. Get in the car and close the door.
2. Put the key in the ignition and turn one click to the right, to “ACC” Wait two or three seconds until the (faint) electronics noises stop
3. Turn the key to the “ON” position (do NOT turn all the way to “START”)
4. Wait 5+ seconds for the bells and other noises to stop
5. Turn the key to Start.
6. (Assuming the engine started), put on your seat belt and off you go...

Like I said, this is working for me so far. I hope it is a solution, not just a coincidence

[Tech II]

I vote coincidence....

[Tim_MN]

Probably true... But I'll stick with it until it does indeed prove to be just coincidence.

[dh271]

Mine did that 3 or 4 times a year and I finally had enough of it. I did a Passlock bypass for under $5 recently, worked like a charm. I made the mistake of unplugging the radio and had to have a $98 reprogram done at the dealership. At least I`ll never have the passlock problem again.