Why is the security light on my Camaro coming on all of the sudden?
I’ve had a ’97 Camaro for a few months and all of the sudden the security light is coming on when I try to start it disabling the starter. I’ve been using the same key the whole time. I have had no problems with this car until now. I have to wait 3 minutes and then it will start. The key is in good shape. Not dirty or wet. Is there an underlying issue I should check out? Thanks.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Related posts:
Yes there is. Your Passlock II system is malfunctioning. There is no way to diagnose which of 3 components that make up the system is failing, so here is what to do, and what a dealership service department will do. Start by replacing the ignition switch. from personal experience, that may not be the problem, but it is the one thing that can be done without a dealership service department. If that fails to work, you will have to replace the ignition core which has the Passlock sensor in it. When that is done, the car will need to be reprogrammed with a GM Tech II Scanner. Now here is the best part. That may solve the problem, or it may only be a temporary fix. If the problem recurs within a few weeks, you will have to get the Body Control Module (BCM) replaced and programmed. Basically how the system works is a small electrical charge is passed through the key and a resistance factor is read by the Passlock sensor. That data is transmitted to the BCM which was programmed with what that should be when the car left the factory. If they don’t match, the BCM tells the ECM to disable the fuel pump and starter.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly
Take your key to either the dealer or to a very good lock smith shop, not home depot, and have the key tested. It may look good but the electronics inside may be going bad.
Bills answer is good proof of why you don’t take your car to the dealership. For one there’s never been a pass lock system on any Camaro there called vats. Those are the square key with the pellet in the blade that pellets a resistor. You can check it with a multimeter it should read between 0.5- 11.8 ohms. Check that first before you try anything else.
I’ll cut bill some slack cause hes a sales guy enough said
Good advice if mike asked about a 01 Impala.
Do NOT replace the ignition by yourself! My car’s ignition was replaced by the dealer (not a Chevy dealer, just a used car lot) and now my light will NEVER go off. Take it to a Chevy dealer and they CAN help you. If it is the ignition then they will be able to fix it, but if you replace the ignition yourself then you risk having that light on forever because the ignition was not programmed into the car’s security system. The guy I got my car from said they didn’t have a key for my car and that is why they replaced the ignition but if he would have actually read the owner’s manual it says that if you take it to a dealer they can make a new key that is made specifically for that ignition. I don’t know what could be wrong with it, but if you have the funds to do so, I would take it to a Chevy dealer.