wont start /anti theft light flashing

[Clueless26]

Okay. I have a 1996 Cavalier It is the bottom of the barrel no cruise, automatic 4 door No power anything... Just in the last few weeks it started having problems not starting... The anti theft light started flashing and the ignition still turns over but wont start.. I wasnt even aware that this car even had anti theft... I bought it used over 2 years ago. The funny thing is We have tried disconnecting and reconnecting the battery (trying to reset everything) and the darn thing still wouldnt start, but let it sit there undisturbed for a few hours and it starts up just fine. This has happened half a dozen times and it doesnt matter if we drove it for a while or if it has been sitting all night... it just decides hey I dont want to start now... ANYONE had this happen or know if there is a way to bypass this system?

[-Jayson-]

ummm that sounds like a recall that they made on them. I had it for my 95 cav. Something is messed up in the ignition part in the steering wheel. Something causes a short, DO NOT HOLD THE KEY IN STARTING POSITION for to long. The recall for my 95 advised that doing so could cause the car to catch on fire. Take it to a Gm dearlership, they should be able to fix it, im pretty sure it is a recall so its all free.

[Clueless26]

I checked into the recall and all that is is a relay switch which will prevent the wires in the ignition from melting down, It doesnt happen often only if you are the type of person who likes to hang on to the key to long when you start or if you have to try to start multiple times.It thas nothing to do with any anti theft... I was told this is a dealer problem and I would have to take my car to a dealer shop and I am looking at 400 bucks to fix this friggin thing! I was told by a friend that he could research it and see if there is a way to bypass the anti theft device in the ignition but it will take a few days...Does anyone know if this can actually be done? If I can by pass this stupid thing I will. Otherwise I have to pay a dealer $400 to fix and reprogram a theft device on a car that aint worth $1200.

[ccent]

Turn on ignition and leave it on for 20 mins,
Make sure battery is good first off.
This should clear your theft system.
post if this helped.
GL...

[mikecor]

i have also just started to have this problem. the last time i had this happen was last weekend. moved car to back it in stoped it went inside for a min came back out loaded car go to start the theft light starts to flash waited ten mins or so then car starts no prob. does any one know if this recall was also for the 98 cav and has anyone really found a solution to this problem without haveing to go to the dealer and shell out $400 or more bucks.

[Classicrocjunkie]

Originally Posted by ccent

Turn on ignition and leave it on for 20 mins,
Make sure battery is good first off.
This should clear your theft system.
post if this helped.
GL...

.... you cannot open any doors either, you must remain in the car or somehow turn the car on through the window.

[mikecor]

Originally Posted by ccent

Turn on ignition and leave it on for 20 mins,
Make sure battery is good first off.
This should clear your theft system.
post if this helped.
GL...

this may sound like a dumb question but here goes.
by turning on the ignition do you mean just put in the key and turn it to run postion for 20mins.
or do you mean start the engine and leave it running for 20 mins for if it is the second one good luck on trying to get it to run for when the theft system is active car turns over then dies.