Help Passlock Issue?

[purple.guru]

Help!!! I'm a single mom with very little income and my Alero is showing all the signs of this pass key issue. However the battery has been reset and removed (took it to have it tested and it's fine) so all the codes are gone. I can't afford $800 to throw away. Is there any way to determine if this is the issue before I take it to the "Stealership"?

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF and the forum.

I have moved one of your posts to a new thread.

It would help to post the year model Alero and current mileage. What are your symptoms making you believe it is a Passlock problem?

[purple.guru]

Hello,

Thanks for replying...

2002 Alero - drove it yesterday at lunch and went back out after work and it wouldn't start. Had the battery tested and it was fine. Went home and found this forum and had the same symptom. Car has all lights and beeps, but when i turn the key it won't do anything except the service engine light comes on and the security light flashes. I actually did the 10 minute leave the key in and on and let the security light flash for 10 minutes. Turned it off and then it started. However the dealership is telling me that i still need to bring it in becasue that function is only to let it start long enough to get it to the dealership so that they can run the diagnostic test for $90.00 and it could be anywhere from $100.00-$1000.00 to fix it.

[purple.guru]

Sorry current mileage is approximately 64,000...

THANKS!!!

[purple.guru]

Hello,

I just wanted to share what has taken place since my last post...

I was about to have my Alero towed to the dealership when I Called them and told a tech that I hadn't done the "10 Minute" thing yet and should i try that or just call the tow truck. He knew immediately what i was referring to and he said "Yes you should definitely try that first". I then asked him if i really needed to do it 3 times or just 1 and he told me just 1. He then told me to unlock the doors with the keyless remote, get in, close and lock the door with the keyless remote then open the door, put the key in the ignition and turn it to the "ON" position and leave it there for 10 minutes". So that's what i did; the security light kept flashing and the service engine light was still on. At exactly 10 minutes the security light quit flashing. The tech had also told me at that point to turn it off and remove the key then put it right back in and try to start it. Glory be to God it started!!!!! So i called the dealership back and told them that it started and they sounded shocked. Of course they told me that this is a security feature that is meant only to start the car and enable me to take it to the dealership to have it fixed. It's not going to keep starting with this technique as it is only temporary. But it allowed me to get it out of the parking garage at my job and got me home.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH AUTOMOTIVE FORUM, I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE INFORMATION I GATHERED HERE LAST NIGHT!!!
WE KNOW THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT IT....

Awaiting responses...

[purple.guru]

Hello bnaylor,

I'm very new to the AF and haven't been successful in locating the "new thread" that you mentioned below. Would you please let me know how to get to it as I have been anxiously awaiting your response to my posts from yesterday. THANKS!!!!

Originally Posted by bnaylor

Welcome to AF and the forum.

I have moved one of your posts to a new thread.

It would help to post the year model Alero and current mileage. What are your symptoms making you believe it is a Passlock problem?

[jhenry72]

Hi, sorry to hear about your recent problem. Does your car atleast turn over when you try to start it? Or does it just go dead as soon as you turn the key? I've got a 2002 Alero and when it sits for more than about 4 hours I have to use starting fluid to get started. I haven't figured out anything yet, but if I do I'll let you know if it helps..

Thanks, John.

[purple.guru]

Hi John,

I've posted the link below from AF that i found the other day. I was fortunate to hit the article within one of my 1st searches. It saved me minimum $115.00 and I am totally proud of myself for fixing my car... Anyway i don't know that you and i are having the same issue but there's some good information in this article and on this site!!! Let me know what you find out. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t454520.html



[quote=jhenry72]Hi, sorry to hear about your recent problem. Does your car atleast turn over when you try to start it? Or does it just go dead as soon as you turn the key? I've got a 2002 Alero and when it sits for more than about 4 hours I have to use starting fluid to get started. I haven't figured out anything yet, but if I do I'll let you know if it helps..

Thanks, John.[/q

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by purple.guru

Hello bnaylor,

I'm very new to the AF and haven't been successful in locating the "new thread" that you mentioned below. Would you please let me know how to get to it as I have been anxiously awaiting your response to my posts from yesterday. THANKS!!!!

Hello. This thread you are posting in is the new thread and as you can see members will eventually respond.

Common Passlock problems on Aleros are the ignition key cylinder, wiring/serial data communications and/or the body control module (BCM). There may be no cheap or easy long term solution. Even the bypass procedure may not help. If you can get by with the key relearn procedure for now that is the best way to go until you can save up some money. Proper Passlock diagnostic consists of getting the car scanned at the GM dealer with a Tech II to see if there are any Passlock or anti-theft related DTC codes stored.

[jhenry72]

Thanks for all the help, but I think that I have finally fixed my problem!! I found a blown fuse.. It was fuse number 37. A/C BFC. Do not really know what is for but, car starts fine now.... ! Maybe that's something you might want to check. Hope it helps you out.

Thanks Again for all the help!!!

[purple.guru]

Thanks for all your info!!! I took it to the dealership this afternoon and they checked the keys and the car and said that it was fine. They didn't do the scan today so I'm taking a chance I know. I'm hoping that it will not have any more issues until I do have a little money saved for it.

I'm sure I'll be back again as I am thrilled that this all worked out as it did thanks to all the folks contributing to AF!!!!

Originally Posted by bnaylor

Hello. This thread you are posting in is the new thread and as you can see members will eventually respond.

Common Passlock problems on Aleros are the ignition key cylinder, wiring/serial data communications and/or the body control module (BCM). There may be no cheap or easy long term solution. Even the bypass procedure may not help. If you can get by with the key relearn procedure for now that is the best way to go until you can save up some money. Proper Passlock diagnostic consists of getting the car scanned at the GM dealer with a Tech II to see if there are any Passlock or anti-theft related DTC codes stored.

[caspianb79]

I have been having similar problems with my '99 Alero. I was able to defeat the BCM tripping the tamper mode "a.k.a. passlock issue", albiet temporarily, by doing the following:

I would experience the problem if the keyless entry system failed to unlock the doors and I manually unlocked them instead. The first time I tried to start it, after a few seconds the fuel injectors would cut off, killing the engine. After the third attempt of starting the car it would not turn over at all.

After three attempts of trying to start the car when experiencing passlock issues the BCM will tell the PCM to temporarily disable the fuel injectors for about 10 minutes or so (hence the relearn with the key in RUN position for 10 minutes).

I was able to defeat the above problems by turning the key to the RUN position, then putting the car in neutral, moving it a foot or two, then putting it back in park, followed by turning the key off pulling it out, putting it back in, and turning it on.

I figured all this out waiting for a tow truck. Then I drove the car into a dealer who provided me with the following information:

Intermittently failing passlock sensor & BCM. Checked for Codes.
Has passlock codes: P1610 & P1616 in ECM.
BCM has Data Loss code B2958 in memory.
Checked for bulletins, O.K.
Checked all BCM & Passlock DATA, All O.K. at this time.
Needs Ignition Lock Cylinder & BCM.

BCM $397 + tax
Lock Cylinder $275 + tax.

I declined those repairs as I didn't have $900 to throw at the car at that time, and figured I could get the parts cheaper elsewhere and attempt to do the work myself.

While driving it later that week, however, I went to start it after a short drive to the Post Office. As soon as I turned the key to the ACC position, the whole electrical system died. No more security lights, no more radio, no more power windows.

I have since attempted to replace the Ignition Switch ($129) which temporarily provided power for the wipers to work, but didn't enable the car to start. Since that initial connection, nothing will power up again. I also replaced the BCM (eBay salvage with 1 year warranty $44). I also replaced the Ignition Cylinder ($194 NAPA). And it still won't get any power anywhere.

Hazards won't work, headlights won't turn on, nothing.
The battery has 12.02 Volts.
I've checked all the fuses and nothing is blown.
I am getting juice to the wires which run from the battery to the ignition switch, but still no power!

Does anyone have any ideas what could be going on here?

I've already purchased the replacement parts and plugged them in, the last thing I want to do is bring it back to the dealer all torn apart, so they can charge me even more than before and get a good laugh at my expen$e.

Thanks,

'99 Alero V6 3.4L with 78k miles.

[ponchonutty]

Ahh, are you anywhere near central Ohio? I could take a peek at it. Are you sure you tested each ignition and accessory wire at the switch? You'll have 2 of each plus 2 red constant feeds and one yellow starter wire. Test these and report back.

[Iflylow]

I may be mistaken but I believe BCMs are programmed with the vehicle VIN, and there is no way to reset it. Once it determines that the VIN of the PCM does not match, it will not allow the car to start (or do anything else). Only a new BCM will work.

[caspianb79]

I did check the voltage to the Red and Yellow wire of connector 1 as well as the Red wire of connector 2 which run to the ignition switch. All three were hot.

I tested all of this before attempting to swap the BCM. So I wasn't getting any juice with the key in the ACC position after replacing the Ignition Cylinder and Ignition Switch, prior to replacing the BCM.

I'm in Seattle, BTW.

Could it be related to faulty wiring to the BCM?

I don't see how the BCM would prevent all the other electrical components from getting power...windows, lights, etc.

I thought a dealer could reprogram a BCM to a different vehicle?