SECURITY light blinking and not starting

[tecarstuf]

I have a 2001 Grand Am Se with a 3.4L automatic. Resently the SECURITY light on the dash blinks red after the car won't start.
A mechanic told me how to reset it so the car would start. Try to start it, leave the iginition switch in the run position for about 10 minutes, when the SECURITY light goes out turn the ignitiion switch to off for 5 seconds and then start the car.
This work fine but If I need to go some where I have to start 10 minute before I really have to just get the car started.
The lights never shut off with ignition on all I can do is turn the light switch to park.

I don,t like taking cars to the shop if I can fix it myself and I can fix just about anything. I don,t have a factory shop manual yet so I don't know how the security system is suppose to work.
How does the system work? What can be done to fix this problem?

Starting early.

[maxwedge]

This is not a dyer repair you will need a comprehensive trouble tree diagnostic procedure to trace and fix this. Alldata online has a 24.95 subscription that has all the tech info on this. Or get a factory shop manual.

[gmack221]

I read somewhere on here that if you repeat the procedure you just said (10 mins with the key on, turn off) 3 times it will reset the security alarm.

[Manny_boy]

Sounds like you have Passkey (VATS-vechicle anti-theft system) issues. Is there a small chip in your ignition key?

If it is you have GM Passkey. The chip is actually a resistor pill that is read by a computer. Sometimes the pill gets dirty or is just defective.

A good locksmith can make you a replacement key with the correct chip in it.

If you want to bypass your chip, here's what you do (some alarm installers do this too):

under your steering column, in the ignition wire harness, there are two very small white wires (or one white, one purple), about 22 ga. (possibly covered by a thin orange insulation sheath). These are your passkey wires that lead to the ignition cylinder. Take a digital Multimeter and set it to ohms (be sure to use digital, and make sure its calibrated before you start). Check the resistance for the chip in your key. Buy the same ohm resistor from Radioshack. Cut the small wires and solder the resistor to both wires leading to the passlock module (not to the ignition cylinder). The passlock module will read the resistance and think that your key is in place and functioning correctly.

(however, this does disable the security feature of having a chip in your key)

A regular key without the chip could start your car with this method.

[tecarstuf]

Originally Posted by Manny_boy

Sounds like you have Passkey (VATS-vechicle anti-theft system) issues. Is there a small chip in your ignition key?

If it is you have GM Passkey. The chip is actually a resistor pill that is read by a computer. Sometimes the pill gets dirty or is just defective.

A good locksmith can make you a replacement key with the correct chip in it.

If you want to bypass your chip, here's what you do (some alarm installers do this too):

under your steering column, in the ignition wire harness, there are two very small white wires (or one white, one purple), about 22 ga. (possibly covered by a thin orange insulation sheath). These are your passkey wires that lead to the ignition cylinder. Take a digital Multimeter and set it to ohms (be sure to use digital, and make sure its calibrated before you start). Check the resistance for the chip in your key. Buy the same ohm resistor from Radioshack. Cut the small wires and solder the resistor to both wires leading to the passlock module (not to the ignition cylinder). The passlock module will read the resistance and think that your key is in place and functioning correctly.

(however, this does disable the security feature of having a chip in your key)

A regular key without the chip could start your car with this method.

The key is just a plain key. That's what puzzels me as to how the security system works. There is a remote, but I was told by the GM dealer that I could use a key made at any key maker that would fit the ignition.

[tecarstuf]

Originally Posted by gmack221

I read somewhere on here that if you repeat the procedure you just said (10 mins with the key on, turn off) 3 times it will reset the security alarm.

I had a friend check for codes with his scanner, but it was too old and he couldn,t read any codes on newer cars. But he reset the codes anyway. I haven,t had the SECURITY light problem for over a week. But then the weather has changed and it could start up again when it gets warmer.