Genius Help Needed!!!

:banghead: Here is one for the books. Anyone figure this out is a genius. Kids got a 2001 cavalier. It was broken into and the column was damaged and after market radio was stolen. I replaced the column but not the radio yet.(wires from the harness are ripped apart and just hanging there). Car starts up and runs fine. The problem we have is that the service and theft light stay on continously. I assume that he has to take it in to be reprogramed since it's a totally different column. The other problem just started I think because some of the wire from the radio harness touched each other and now when you put your foot on the brakes, the dash lights, interior lights and also the rear tail lights go off. Any help in this manner would be greatly appreciated. Now come on you genius' rack your brains and help me out :banghead:

make sure all the wires are matched up correctly on the steering column. ive replaced steering columns with the exact same connectors but wires in different spots. also, i know radios on cavys have a lot to do with other systems due to the RDS. that might be another problem youre having.

Check grounds first and foremost. Next, stick your key in the ignition, leave it there (w/o turning the car one) for a while, I've heard that clears the theft on the 00+ cavy's

Then again, i could be totally wrong on that.

all wires match up. The lights problem started after some of the wires that plug into the radio harness touched. As for the ground wire, where would that be located? I do hear some type of click when I step on the break pedal and then the lights go off. As for the key issue. This key and I believe the original key also had no chip.

try this thread from jbody.org
http://www.j-body.org/faq//98/
that should relearn the passlock

I tried that web site you recomended. Did not work. GRRRRR :banghead: Could it be because of the new (used) steering column? Acording to the instructions the theft light would be flashing and 10 minutes later it should stop flashing. Well, on this car it stays on and never flashes. Thanks for the help. It was a nice site to go to

Sounds like a good "scan" with a BCM capable scanner is in order. Likely you have anti theft codes lingering. ANY up to date Snap on MT2500 "red brick" will do it. Check all the fuses also. Make sure the instrument cluster wiring hasn't been hacked into.

ok, I didn't understand that one bit. lol :) If you mean I need to take it to a dealer and have them reprogram it, I think your right. As far as the instrument cluster wiring. The wiring is being plugged into the new steering column but, that works. I did check the fuses and they were all good but, after further inspection I noticed one fuse was missing and walla the tail lights work. replaced the reverse bulbs and walla they work now. The only things that dont work now is the chimes, dome light and the damn theft light.
I did call a dealer and they said they could fix it for just under a $100. I like to try and fix it myself but If I need special tool or equipment I just might have to take it in.

Basically, you need a scanner, a tool that scans info in the PCM (powertrain control module) and BCM (body control module). You likely have anti-theft codes related to the "Passlock" system. You can't just swap ign switches anymore. The BCM must be programmed to accept it. A scan can cost anywhere from 20-100$ depending... Hope this clears up my previous post.