Passlock System

[toddcalo]

Does any one have a link for by passing pass lock on 20004 impala?

[toddcalo]

bump

[estradajordan@ymai]

first. not to be lame, but... P.A.T.S., V.A.T.S., passlock, passkey, ect. are basicaly not much different. If you don't know what to call it because you don't know much about cars or trucks, ... thats ok, everybody, including me was there once... It is called a .."TRANSPONDER BASED SYSTEM"... I didn't need to go through auto. school and years of expirience to tell you that, even though I did, mabey,,,just to tell you that. Now I'm NOT trying to be a jerk or p@@@ anyboy off but this is my first day on this and I don't get on comp's. very much but I do know something about automotive technology.

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by estradajordan@ymai

first. not to be lame, but... P.A.T.S., V.A.T.S., passlock, passkey, ect. are basicaly not much different. If you don't know what to call it because you don't know much about cars or trucks, ... thats ok, everybody, including me was there once... It is called a .."TRANSPONDER BASED SYSTEM"... I didn't need to go through auto. school and years of expirience to tell you that, even though I did, mabey,,,just to tell you that. Now I'm NOT trying to be a jerk or p@@@ anyboy off but this is my first day on this and I don't get on comp's. very much but I do know something about automotive technology.

Well how about you just not reply to anything on here if you don't have any helpfull tips to give???? I mean even what you say is wrong anyways. The systems on most, not all GM vehicles is NOT a transponder based system. Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, and Honda to name a few are all transponder based which means the "code" is inside the key and is radio based. This isn't to be confused with the old VATS systems that GM used where you actually could see a chip in the body of the key. Again, there are some GM lines line in the Pontiac and Caddy lines that use the transponder systems. ALL 2009 AND 2010 GM CARS USE A HYBRID PASSKEY II AND III SETUP.

The best and cheapest way to completely fix this is to do the following.....

Tools: Ohm meter, wire strippers, wire crimpers, needed resistance value in resistors.

Get behind the ignition switch. See large harness going to ignition switch. Open up that harness and you should see a bunch of large gauge wires. Look closely and you should see 3 tiny ones (yellow, black, and white). Grab the black and yellow wires. Start the car (hopefully security goes off). Cut yellow wire and meter the cut end that's toward the ignition switch and the black wire. Then meter that cut yellow wire again but next put the other lead of the meter to chassis ground. Which ever value is higher get a resistor(s) that closely match that number you got when you metered those wires. Take the OTHER end of the cut yellow wire and install the resistor to it and then to the black wire or chassis ground. Shut car off and start it. Light should go out. If the car starts then stalls, you may need to adjust the resistance value. If security light is on, verify that you have the correct end of the yellow wire attached to the resistor. If so, it should go out on its own after a while.

If your light was on steady before doing this repair and is still on, you may need to do the relearn sequence. This is the ONLY way to disable this system and not have to worry if your car's battery goes dead.

[Dwoodward47]

Originally Posted by raycorri

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.

If i could start the car, then I wouldnt' be having this problem, so how can i cut the yellow wire when the car is running?

[ponchonutty]

You don't. You go to Radio Shack, buy something like a 1500 ohm resistor, install it by the method I stated, crank over the car, let it sit WITH IGNITION ON for 10 minutes, try to start it again (may have to do the 10 minute interval more than once). Then you are done. It should eventually take the new code unless your BCM is toast. Oh, if your car's battery is weak, make sure to have a charger on it while you do this repair.

[eaglewwit]

Let me first say thank you to Ray and Poncho, you guys have provided a tremendous help to those of us with this passlock problem. And those pictures you linked to Ray are awesome.

I have a 2003 Old Alero. Let me see if I have this right. It is a Passlock 2 system. There is no transponder in the key itself, and any key copy should work as good as the next. I need to either put a switch in or a resisitor. I can try the resistor trick first and if it doesn't work I will put a switch in.

Am I on the right track.

[Harmful]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for posting information on this problem.

I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE and all the associated problems (squeaking interior, brake problems, infamous leaking coolant gasket, and blinking security light).

I do have a quick question regarding remote starters. Reading some previous posts, a remote starter shouldn't experience the passlock issue. However, I have had 2 different remote starters on this car and both have occasionally received the blinking security light when using the remote starter. After 10 minutes, I can start the car fine.

Do you think the resistor fix will still work for me? Could it be something else causing this problem?

I was going to end this post with a "Member of the Anti-Passlock Club" but I think I'll go with "Member of the Anti-Pontiac Club".

Scratch that, "Member of the Death to GM and their shitty cars with shitty service Club"

[401racer]

I have a 2001 chev malibu with this same pass lock issue and found this thread very helpful thanks to all. Now my question is, after fixing the yellow wire i now have no cranking at the key if i jump the starter it starts is this related to the ingnition switch or a different problem? any help would be appreaciated. thanks

[MontanaDude]

Originally Posted by ponchonutty

You don't. You go to Radio Shack, buy something like a 1500 ohm resistor, install it by the method I stated, crank over the car, let it sit WITH IGNITION ON for 10 minutes, try to start it again (may have to do the 10 minute interval more than once). Then you are done. It should eventually take the new code unless your BCM is toast. Oh, if your car's battery is weak, make sure to have a charger on it while you do this repair.

Okay so 4.7K and 2.2K in parallel are basically 1500 ohm. I currently have the security light on all the time, and it won't start. So from what you are saying i should just hook this resistance to the BCM side of the YELLOW wire between YELLOW and BLACK. Sure hope this works, thanks for the guidance.

[MontanaDude]

Just a follow up. This worked like a charm, and now the security light is OFF all the time. Thanks a ton you guys, this place is awesome

[ponchonutty]

no problem just glad you finally got it.

[tech JK]

Originally Posted by ponchonutty

What in the world are you talking about???? Even not knowing what you are talking about, not ALL aftermarket systems play havoc with ALL factory systems. If that was the case, there wouldn't be an aftermarket segment.

WELL, pardon me.
I should have said "CAN play havoc with the factory system."
I have seen it dozens of times.

[atxjax]

Hi guys,


Newb here trying to figure out my friends grandpa's ( WW2 vet ) 97 malibu with 3.1L Auto, 133K miles.

Car is driving down the road and all of a sudden cuts out. Won't start for about 20 mins. Then starts fine. Im thinking the ignition switch is bad. I did tell him to just use the key itself with no heavy rings on it. This maybe isnt related to Passlock but it could be so I thought id get some advice here.

I have yet to test the alternator, battery cables and clean out the ignition cylinder.

If it is a bad key cylinder anyone have any instructions on how to replace the whole thing?

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by tech JK

WELL, pardon me.
I should have said "CAN play havoc with the factory system."
I have seen it dozens of times.

Normally it isn't the product itself but the person who did the install being at fault.