anti theft reset?

I can only assume the recent problem I had with my 03 cav was related to anti theft, but this is all new to me.

I bought the car last week, drove it home on a 6 hour trip, and I like the car. I think the 2.2 ecotech is a decent engine for a 4 cylinder.

Anyway, I went out to start the car one morning, and it would not start. Dash lights cycled through the self check, interior lights worked fine, but there was no activity at all when I turned the key all the way to start. No crank, no fuel pump noise, nothing. Like a dead switch.

I opened the hood, popped the cover off the circuit breaker/relay panel, and yanked out both batt1 and batt2 breakers, replaced them, got in, and the car started right up. I am assuming the anti theft system is the culprit here, but I am not impressed if that's how easy it is to bypass.

Bigger question: why did it engage in the first place, or was it not the anti theft system at all? And, how do you reset the anti theft on these things? I ordered an owner's manual, just haven't gotten it yet.

Not sure about that... but I don't think it was the theft system. I believe your manual will instruct you on (radio?) re-activation if you trip your theft system for some reason.

I just got an owner's manual, and read about the Passlock system. I bet that's what it was. I had some duplicate keys made at *cough* Wallyworld and they seemed to be a little bit off, had to manipulate them a bit to get them to work. I bet Passlock read that as an incorrect key, and shut it down.

Got some better duplicate keys made, and no problems since.