Message Center Problems

[ll1480]

I have a 2001 Chevy Impala. The alternator was replaced last week. The battery has been checked and is OK. However, the following Message Center codes continue to light up first with "Security;" next with "Battery" along with 4 chimes; and then "Service Engine Soon." I have had the car checked twice this week, but nothing can be located. The messages generally light after about 10 miles. Any ideas/suggestions?

[bermis519]

did you have the codes erased? Thats the only thing i can think of..i don't know if the car stores them and keeps flashing them until they are erased....i don't know if disconnecting the battery would erase it...not sure...

mike

[Andy2680]

I called a service center and they said the Security light is obviously malfunctioning. It has to do with the anti-theft system in the car.

[MCO_Death]

Originally Posted by Andy2680

I called a service center and they said the Security light is obviously malfunctioning. It has to do with the anti-theft system in the car.

I've seen my security light - light up once or twice in all the time i've had my car. I havn't a clue what good it even does, or how it works as a Anti-theft system. Anyone know exactly?

[system_wired]

Originally Posted by MCO_Death

I've seen my security light - light up once or twice in all the time i've had my car. I havn't a clue what good it even does, or how it works as a Anti-theft system. Anyone know exactly?

I believe what occurs is when you turn the key it sends a signal to where exactly I can't remember. The anti theft looks for that signal and if its there the car operates normally. If the signal isn't detected then the anti theft system thinks the car was started without the key (hot wired) and cuts off the fuel to the engine. When that happens the car can drive for something like a block tops before it craps out.

As for the anti theft light mine started comming on intermitently last year and eventually just stayed on all the time. When I went to the dealer they ran there tests and looked over all the wiring but couldn't find a problem. They determined that the BCM Body control module which sends all the signals to the message center was sending a false signal and would need to be replaced at a cost of $1200.00cdn plus programming. I passed on that since the light doesn't chime; I simply put a thick black piece paper over the message center and bam problem solved and 1200 bucks saved.

[MoNsTeR`ImPaLa]

if your security light is comming on while driving you might need a new ignition switch if you are going to chase the problem i would start there since it is the cheapest fix