Help needed with electrical/security problem

[Jmalbright]

I have a 2003 Sonoma with a 2.2L engine and a manual transmission. The heater core was leaking so I replaced it yesterday, but I am having trouble getting the truck up and running again.

First of all, the yellow electrical connector in the pic below got disconnected and I don’t remember doing it, so it must have been connected to one of the screws holding the panels or knee bolsters on. The problem is, I have no idea where it goes so if someone could please tell me where to connect it, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, if someone could tell me the name of the black thingy above that connector, it would be helpful. I have the factory service manual and the owner’s manual and cannot find anything out about it. For reference, it mounts just under the steering wheel.





Then second issue I’m having is that I tried to crank the engine (nothing happened) with that connector disconnected last night and now I am not getting any instrument panel lights (everything lit up before I tried cranking the engine). I hear chimes when I first insert the key into the ignition and when I turn the ignition further, nothing else happens.

Any help getting these problems resolved would be greatly appreciated. This is actually my dad’s truck and he needs it tomorrow morning for work.

[gmtech1]

That appears to be a aftermarket theft device. It will keep the truck from cranking if the key in the device is pulled out. The connector is the ground for it. It was probably behind a trim screw and came off when removed. Just hook it up to any accessible dash screw in the area,but it must be a good ground. You may consider removing it also, I have seen these short and cause no cranks.

[Jmalbright]

Originally Posted by gmtech1

That appears to be a aftermarket theft device. It will keep the truck from cranking if the key in the device is pulled out. The connector is the ground for it. It was probably behind a trim screw and came off when removed. Just hook it up to any accessible dash screw in the area,but it must be a good ground. You may consider removing it also, I have seen these short and cause no cranks.

Thank you for the info. I started to suspect that the connector was a ground so I temporarily connected it with another wire to the alternator case. However, the vehicle is still exhibiting the behavior as detailed about. It seems as if it may have went into some kind of protect mode or something.

As far I understand, this unit is not aftermarket as my dad bought this truck new from the factory and never any additional add-ons like that installed. How would I go about removing it without causing more issues?

[gmtech1]

I assure you that is not factory. GM never used a system like that. It may have been installed at the dealer when it was set up new. It is probably spliced Into a yellow wire off of the ignition switch. Disconnect the spliced wires and splice the cut wire back together.