Security Light

[poormillionaire2]

I was at the theater trying to leave when my car wouldn't start. I would turn the ignition, and nothing, not even a click. The dash lights came on as well as the radio, so it isn't the battery. I just replaced the starter about 6 months ago, so I don't think its that. I tried to look up the 'security' light in the manual, but I couldn't find it. Anyway, about 3 minutes of turning the key, it finally started. It drove fine home with the security light still on. I got home, turned it completely off, and started it again, and started up flawlessly. Gave it as hour or so, and it started right up again. But the light is still on. So, first off, what does the 'security' actually mean? And what could the problems possibly be? Sorry for the long post.

[Aremy Griese]

your car has a chip on the key or in the key. so if someone tried to rip out your ignition and start it with something else it wouldnt work . the power will go on but it wont let the starter engage. i am not sure what would cause this problem , but that is what the security does

[philly rs]

i know that problem very well....in yoyr started there are 2 real thin cords or wires that are part of your vats system, everytime u turn your car on it bends this thing and with wear and tear they get brittle and the tend to need to be replaced or bypassed. i use to have that same problem i would unhook the battery and let the car sit then hook it back up but the truth is it didnt matter u had to wait and see when the car would let u start her up lol. anyways u need to get that fixed and i think its like around 120 to get it fixed, but i bypassed that thing by cutting the chip out of my key and had it welded (well not welded) but i got it stuck between 2 wires and my boy wired the bypass in the ignition so it would stop doing that. the only problem u get from that is now your car is like any other car and u can end up waking up like that one guy did last month hearing those sweet pipes roaring and your not behind the wheel.... so now it can be "hotwired" and stolen...no more vats, so if u go that rout i woul invest in a kick ass alarm system like i did...steal it if u want.

[poormillionaire2]

I just ran an errand this morning, and it started up fine, but the light still stayed on. But on my way back, the light was off for the rest of the ride home. So, I don't know what I should do.
Philly, do you know where those 2 wires are located? Maybe I could check them out and go from there. Thanks.

[philly rs]

yes i do, the are under the steering colum, ill ask my boy ryan what exactly u can do because he is the one that rerouted mines, ill get that info to u in this thread by the end of the day

[stone_mound_camaro]

u know what it means when the security light stays on while your driving? that used to happen in my first camaro. And it got my mom mad at me cuz she thought i broke somethin.

[philly rs]

ok,he said they are under the steering colum, he said u have to look for the 2 white wires that run into a yellow sheeth. those are the ones that are messed up.

[Mr. Luos]

Had to install the resistor on mine as well.
Don't have the pics anymore though.

Tumbler or key. One is bad. Tumbler is too damn expensive for my liking, considering the resistor cost me 20 cents.
The stealership can check your key I believe.

[CamaroRS92]

One MAJOR cause of this happening is the 2 tiny white wires get small cracks or breaks in the insulation right at the point that they connect to the ignition lock cylinder in the steering column. This is caused from the constant back and forth movement they endure from turning the key to start the car .

The VATS shutdown scenerio usually happens during rainy or high humidity conditions (but not always) . The breakdown in the insulation + the dampness will change the resistance reading

Something else simple to do that might help is a good cleaning of the ignition lock cylinder. Once upon a time i had a car to act crazy with VATS and i spray washed the cylinder out with WD-40 then dried it out with an aerosol can of dry compressed air ( i guess shop air will work too if its dry)
It turned out that it had a buildup of oils, dirt & dust in there causing it not to be able to read the proper resistance . That fixed that car and i didn't have any more issues with it up until the time when i sold it. Now i always make sure to wipe the key on my pants before inserting into the ignition just to be sure its clean and dry

Also can be an excessively worn resistor chip in the key its self