Passlock System

[JAW9]

The anti theft in my 2001 Malibu is acting up more than usual lately, i.e having to wait 10-15mins for the system to reset itself. At first it happened every few months or so but now it has happened 3 or 4 times in the last 3 weeks. I am thinking of disabling it. Is it possible and has anyone done it? If so, are there any tricks or tips at disabling it and if it is disabled will if effect anything else with the car?
Any advice is very much appreciated.

[bcopeland]

on the 99, there is a toggle switch under the dash near the brake pedal.

[lmarie77]

cac@chevrolet.com

Send everybody who has a Malibu passlock issue this email address. Complain, complain, complain - that's what it will take to get these bastards recalled.
I've been emailing for 2 days - and they've danced around the issue at hands - I swear these customer service "managers" are politicians.

L Marie

[RahX]

Originally Posted by bcopeland

on the 99, there is a toggle switch under the dash near the brake pedal.

someone must have added it on yours, none of the anti-theft systems im looking at on malibu's come with a toggle switch unless its an aftermarket system.

[raycorri]

Originally Posted by JAW9

The anti theft in my 2001 Malibu is acting up more than usual lately, i.e having to wait 10-15mins for the system to reset itself. At first it happened every few months or so but now it has happened 3 or 4 times in the last 3 weeks. I am thinking of disabling it. Is it possible and has anyone done it? If so, are there any tricks or tips at disabling it and if it is disabled will if effect anything else with the car?
Any advice is very much appreciated.

Yeah, I'm not so sure that the toggle switch is original equipment. As for disabling Passlock 1 or 2, it can be done fairly easily. I did this to my 2002 Olds Alero with Passlock 2. Yours is apparently Passlock 2 also according to these photos that follow. You don't have to install a toggle switch, but I would suggest it in case you go to a dealership for service and they need the Passlock re-enabled. I'm sure they will try to tell you that you shouldn't do this. You can just print out this article to educate them on their own system. The BCM is already programmed to go into "fail-enable" mode when the key reference circuit (yellow passlock wire) is broken (cut) while the engine is running. That's the key ---- while the engine is running. The security/anti-theft light will come on and stay on until the circuit is repaired. Your Passlock is now disabled. Just don't repair the circuit (reconnect the wire) unless absolutely necessary. I have read where others just tape up both ends of the cut yellow wire and leave it that way. This probably works fine, but I like the idea of being able to repair the circuit by the flip of a switch. (Just in case.)

This is the MOTOR AGE article describing "fail-enable" mode:
http://www.motorage.com/motorage/dat...09/article.pdf
page 3, If the correct key is in the cylinder and that circuit
fails while the engine is running, this is considered a
malfunction, not a theft attempt. The “Security” light
may turn on to warn of a system malfunction, but even if
it doesn’t, a key recognition circuit failure with the proper
key in the lock will cause the TDM to enter what GM
calls a “fail-enable” mode. Essentially, the theft-deterrent
system goes offline and the engine will start and run
with any key that turns the lock.

Here are 2001 Malibu photos to help you get to the Yellow Passlock 2 wire to cut it while the engine is running. Read the directions below each photo. By the looks of these photos, you should probably go ahead and start your car with your key (no keyring or keys attached) so you won't have to figure out how to start it with the Switch in an unsecure position later in the process.

http://www.directwholesale.net/diagr...1&link=BULLDOG

http://www.directwholesale.net/diagr...2&link=BULLDOG

http://www.directwholesale.net/diagr...5&link=BULLDOG

http://www.directwholesale.net/diagr...6&link=BULLDOG

http://www.directwholesale.net/diagr...8&link=BULLDOG

http://www.directwholesale.net/diagr...9&link=BULLDOG

http://www.directwholesale.net/diagr...2&link=BULLDOG

http://www.directwholesale.net/diagr...5&link=BULLDOG

http://www.directwholesale.net/diagr...7&link=BULLDOG

That yellow wire is the one to clip while the car is running! Incidentally, Malibus, Grand AMs and Aleros are all having the same Passlock problems. Coincidentally, we all have the same part # for the Ignition Lock Cylinder. A Passlock sensor is built into this cylinder. If this sensor goes bad, you have to replace the entire Ignition Lock Cylinder. GM is making a killing and so are the dealerships. I'm not knocking the Certified Technicians, they are just doing what they are trained to do. How can anyone deny that this part is defective? If you are tired of having to wait to start the car that you worked so hard to buy with your own money, you should be able to disable the Passlock if you want to. This is just one way to do it. Here is the Ignition Lock Cylinder part # and I hope this disablement will really help some of you.
1999 - 2004 Alero
1997 - 2003 Malibu
1999 - 2004 Grand Am

The GM part number is 12458191.

[kees45]

Will this work for a 2002 Impala as well?

[raycorri]

Originally Posted by kees45

Will this work for a 2002 Impala as well?

Yeah, you have Passlock 2 also. If you are afraid to cut the Yellow wire, just unplug the plug with the 3 Passlock wires on top of the ignition lock cylinder while the car is running and it will provide the same end result. This way you can see it work and feel a little more at ease before you cut the yellow wire to install a toggle. It's just sometimes a little harder to get to the plug on some vehicles. Here is a suggestion that I found on how to get to your wires.

NOTE *1 To get to the IGNITION SWITCH HARNESS, you MUST remove the RADIO without unplugging the radio. Make sure you catch ALL ignition wires at the back of the ignition switch.

This shouldn't take very long at all! By the way, I am just getting basic info at
http://www.bulldogsecurity.com/ and clicking on Vehicle Wiring Diagrams---then select your make---then select model and year to get hints on how to access the Ignition Lock Cylinders. It also tells you which anti-theft system you have for your particular car. Welcome to the Anti-Passlock Club!

[raycorri]

I keep finding more info on this way to Disable the Passlock utilizing a switch. The following bulletin is from GM on this exact modification. We are just accessing the "Yellow Passlock Data Wire" at a different point than they are on the trucks. Interesting, huh? Maybe this is the same modification that bcopeland had on his 99 Malibu?
http://www.gmupfitter.com/publicat/bull/bull26.pdf

[kees45]

Went thu the procedure of cutting the yellow wire. Added an extension to it with a toggle switch. Car starts. But message center shows security lock message on all the time because toggle switch is in off position. Am a bit hesitant to switch toggle switch to on as that put system in precut condition. Do I start the car with the toggle switch off? And then switch it on? Any suggestions how to work it? Or is the situation now that the security lock light will or has to be be on all the time?
In the meantime I thank you for your responses. It certainly did help a lot. Happy New Year.
Kees

[raycorri]

Originally Posted by kees45

Went thu the procedure of cutting the yellow wire. Added an extension to it with a toggle switch. Car starts. But message center shows security lock message on all the time because toggle switch is in off position. Am a bit hesitant to switch toggle switch to on as that put system in precut condition. Do I start the car with the toggle switch off? And then switch it on? Any suggestions how to work it? Or is the situation now that the security lock light will or has to be be on all the time?
In the meantime I thank you for your responses. It certainly did help a lot. Happy New Year.
Kees

Wow! Coincidence that I just logged on. It looks like you did everything right. Yes, the Security Lock message will always be on while the Passlock is disabled. I would suggest that you test your system while the car is running. Just flip the switch to on while the car is running to put Passlock system in precut condition as you said. Your system should reset and clear out the Security lock message.(Passlock Enabled) Once this works, go ahead and break the circuit again by flipping the toggle in the opposite direction. Security message should again illuminate.(Passlock Disabled) You can now shut your car off and know that it will start every time. Please post back soon to let me know that this worked for you. Now that I have my Passlock Disabled, I just leave the toggle in that position and never touch it. My car cranks every time with no worries of the dreaded 10 minute wait. Incidentally, how long did the whole modification take you? Thanks for posting back, Ray

[kees45]

Originally Posted by raycorri

Wow! Coincidence that I just logged on. It looks like you did everything right. Yes, the Security Lock message will always be on while the Passlock is disabled. I would suggest that you test your system while the car is running. Just flip the switch to on while the car is running to put Passlock system in precut condition as you said. Your system should reset and clear out the Security lock message.(Passlock Enabled) Once this works, go ahead and break the circuit again by flipping the toggle in the opposite direction. Security message should again illuminate.(Passlock Disabled) You can now shut your car off and know that it will start every time. Please post back soon to let me know that this worked for you. Now that I have my Passlock Disabled, I just leave the toggle in that position and never touch it. My car cranks every time with no worries of the dreaded 10 minute wait. Incidentally, how long did the whole modification take you? Thanks for posting back, Ray

Hey, Thanks for being so quick. It took me about 2 hours on the impala. Most of the work is getting the dashboard apart as I had no idea where the screws and clips are that hold it all together. I also suggest to write down the sequence of taking it apart as that will make it easier to put it all back together again. Once that was done it was a bit akward as the tranny lever is in the way so you have to put that into its lowest position. Which means you have to start the car. Also Just use the key, nothing on it. But once that is done all you need to do is take the 2 bolts that hold the ignition key. No need to take the radio or panle for the heat/airco out.You then have enough room on the left next to the instrument panel to push the ignition switch back and to the left. That exposes just enough of the 3 wires and just enough room to cut the yellow wire. When cutting make sure you allow enough so you are able to solder 2 wires to the cut yellow. Lots of room to bring the added wire down and install a toggle. I am going to drive/stop/start the engine for the rest of the afternoon. Tomorrow I am away for the whole day so I will report back as soon as possible. Probably Wednesday.
Again, thanks for all your unput.
Kees

[raycorri]

Wow, it appears that accessing your 3 Passlock wires was a bit more involved than what I had to do. On a lot of these cars, you can simply remove the radio and reach in to the left to grab the 3 Passlock wires to perform the modification. Regardless, I think you will be happy with the results of your effort.
Later, Ray

Proud Member of The Anti-Passlock Club

[MT-2500]

Ok
Fellows be carefull out there.
I ran this by an double checked it with a GM master anti theft tech.
And here is the hole ball of wax on it.

quote
there is no such thing as Passlock 1 or 2, unless you are talking about PassKey, which has 1,2, or 3....

As for cutting a wire while the vehicle is running(FIRST YOU HAVE TO GET IT RUNNING IF IT'S IN A NO START MODE), this might work, IT MAY GO INTO FAILSAFE MODE, but I'm not into cutting wires to make something work....and guess what, if your battery dies, needs to be replaced, or is disconnected for any reason, then you are screwed, because then it will NEVER START...

As stated there if your battery goes dead or is unpluged you may have to replace the pcm and anti theft module.

And a gm anti system is not the only system that can have total shut down from anti theft system being jumped or unpluged. Or a dead battery problem.
MT

[troy1]

best to put the switch in there like the TSB says instead of cutting the wire

[raycorri]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

Ok
Fellows be carefull out there.
I ran this by an double checked it with a GM master anti theft tech.
And here is the hole ball of wax on it.

quote
there is no such thing as Passlock 1 or 2, unless you are talking about PassKey, which has 1,2, or 3....

MT

I see your point and certainly understand your concern. The initial question was something to the effect of, "Is it possible and has anyone done it?" This bulletin from GM clearly describes the procedure that I used (or should have used) on my vehicle and addresses all of the concerns that you mentioned.(ie.-battery disconnect or dead battery.)(Incidentally, I disconnected my battery for a day and reconnected it. Then I placed my toggle switch in the Enable mode to put the system back on as in this bulletin. The car started up fine. I then disabled the Passlock again with no problems.) Please print out this document and have your friend read it. Maybe he can shed some further light on it.
http://www.gmupfitter.com/publicat/bull/bull26.pdf

I agree with you that you need to get the vehicle running without any Security light flashing or staying on before you start this modification. Once the "Hall Effect Sensor" goes completely bad in the Ignition Lock Cylinder it's too late to try this method. You will just have to replace the Ignition Lock Cylinder before you can get the car to start again. Those of us that have had numerous failures with the Ignition Lock Cylinder are just too fed up and too broke to not try something else.

As for the term Passlock, I don't know what to tell you. The above document from GM and my 2002 Alero Owner's Manual refer to it as Passlock. This Motor Age article gives a brief history of GM's anti-theft systems also:

http://www.motorage.com/motorage/dat...09/article.pdf

The Vehicle Anti Theft System (VATS) was first installed on the 1985 Corvette. The Personal Anti-theft Security
System (PASSkey) replaced VATS in 1988, and while there
are some differences, VATS and Passkey I and II all work
the same way. There is no radio communication involved;
the system merely looks for the ignition key’s unique electronic
signature. Passkey III and the newer Passlock systems
were introduced in 1998, but the earlier systems
weren’t completely phased out until 2003.

Here's another document explaining the Passlock sensors:

Document ID# 468000
1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Vehicle Theft Deterrent (VTD) Description

Important
Due to component variability, the vehicle theft deterrent (VTD) system must have the learn procedure performed regardless, if the vehicle starts on the first ignition cycle after a VTD repair.

All codes in the theft deterrent module must be cleared for a relearn.

The vehicle theft deterrent system is designed in order to prevent vehicle theft by disabling the fuel injectors unless the lock cylinder is correctly engaged by a mechanical key. The theft deterrent system uses the following 4 components for theft prevention:

The lock cylinder
The ignition switch
The body control module (BCM)
The powertrain control module (PCM)
When starting the engine, the PCM searches for a password from the BCM through the Class 2 serial data circuit. If the password is not recognized or not present, the PCM will disable the engine. Two modes of tamper detection are provided:

No password received The engine will start and stall quickly. SECURITY telltale will flash on the instrument panel cluster (IPC) and then stay ON steady.
Incorrect or disable password received (More than 3 invalid passwords are received) The engine is disabled for at least 10 minutes and the SECURITY telltale will illuminate solid on the IPC during the 10 minutes.
After the vehicle has passed theft detection, the PCM will continue normal operation.

Ignition Switch
The mechanical key and lock cylinder is located in the instrument panel assembly. The electrical switching portion of the assembly is separate from the key and lock cylinder. Both of the components are synchronized and work in conjunction through the action of the actuator rod assembly.

Passlock™ Lock Cylinder
The Passlock™ lock cylinder is a locking cylinder that turns a rotating magnet past a stationary hall effect sensor. This action creates the Passlock™ cylinder data. The Passlock™ cylinder data is sent to the body control module (BCM). The Passlock™ lock cylinder is interfaced with the BCM via a 3-wire connection:

Power
Ground
Data

Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is located on the lower left side of the instrument panel.

The PCM communicates with the body control module (BCM) via serial data over the class 2 serial data bus, CKT 1807. When the BCM determines a passed theft condition, the BCM sends a coded password to the PCM. When the PCM receives the correct password, the PCM enables the fuel injection system, allowing the vehicle to operate correctly. The PCM may allow the car to start and quickly stall during a failed theft condition.

The following conditions may cause the PCM to enter a tamper mode:

A bad timing cycle
An incorrect password
If the BCM does not receive a password within a preset time window, the BCM will enter a short tamper mode. During this mode, the PCM will not allow the car to operate for 4 seconds.

If the password is incorrect, the PCM will enter the long tamper mode. In the long tamper mode, the following actions will occur:

The THEFT SYSTEM indicator will flash.
The fuel injectors will be shut off for approximately 10 minutes.
Although the vehicle may start, the engine will quickly stall due to a fuel cut-off.

In the event of an open in the serial data communication between the BCM and the PCM, the following actions occur:

The PCM will become fail-enabled if the car has already passed theft for that ignition cycle (i.e. the engine is running).
The PCM may set the diagnostic trouble codes (DTC).
The THEFT SYSTEM indicator will light continuously.
The PCM will become fail-enabled for future ignition cycles.
If a failure occurs in serial data before the ignition cycle, while the PCM is not fail-enabled, the PCM will never receive a valid password in order to enable the continued use of the fuel injectors.


All of that to say this...... This is really a great forum. You are able to question the information that I provided because you really care that others are hearing all sides of the discussion. I question your friend's information too. Has he seen the Motor Age article or the GM UIB(Upfitter Integration Bulletin) that I have referred to? A title doesn't necessarily make him right. That's not an attack on him by any means. You know none of this would be necessary if GM would just stand up and take responsibility for a defect. I'm not willing to spend another penny on this problem. I started posting this "one way of doing it" because I have rarely seen other posts actually give a different answer other than "take it to the GM dealership." I questioned a few dealerships and they "will not disable Passlock or Passkey" for anyone.(If they told us how to do it ourselves they would have to kill us.) So this means they "will replace the Ignition Lock Cylinder" for a nominal fee. Honestly, I'm just trying to help other desperate people out there. You know what they say, "Desperate people do desperate things." I think this modification works great!


Just one more thing. Why is it that we never see any posts on this forum of people who are happy with their Passlock or Passkey. You know, like, "Passlock really saved my car from being ripped off!" Hooray! I'm not ready to relinquish my membership in The Anti-Passlock Club just yet.

Ray