2003 Impala Original Owner - We started having problems after 100K miles. There are times when it will not start, but the battery is not dead. A mechanic suggested we turn the key but not all the way, let the bell ring (5 to 6 times), push the gas pedal to the floor the same number of times, turn the key back off, then try to start again. IT HAS WORKED EVERY TIME WE HAVE TRIED THIS (4 or 5 times).
Passlock/VATS Bypass - This site sells a part that will bypass your defective passlock system. You are not alone because many many people have been kept out of thier OWN cars because of this defective system. This part will bypass the whole security system so you never have trouble again. Worth checking out for sure.
Passlock/VATS Bypass - This site sells a part that will bypass your defective passlock system. You are not alone because many many people have been kept out of thier OWN cars because of this defective system. This part will bypass the whole security system so you never have trouble again. Worth checking out for sure.
Security light has been staying on. Today, it wouldn't start. We checked fuses, jumped the starter solenoid and any other trick we could think of. Nothing. As we were about to give up, we tried the key one more time and the stupid thing started. Go figure! Seems like everyone is having the same problems with no real answers to the problem. Is it the security system, the solenoid, or some ridiculous computer problem the manufacturer put in to make you go the the dealership so they could rip you off???!!!!
i was on my way home and the car just cut off and never started back up and it has been 3 or 4 days since this happen and it still want crank the battery and alternator are fine i just don't know what the problem is please help
Wow, lots of similar problems as mine. A few months ago my car wouldn't start and the security light was flashing but all the electrical was working. I since found out that if I keep the key in the "on" position for about 20 minutes, this resets the security and I can start my car. Now it is happening all the time and it is really inconvenient!!!! Also, the Security light comes on while I am driving but it doesn't shut the car down.The dealer is not sure what is wrong and suggests replacing the ignition switch. After reading all of the complaints I am afraid that I will be wasting my money. It would be nice if GM would fix this problem.
2nd time the sensor has gone bad. I've had two electrical problems with the vehicle in the 5 years I've owned it. The first time I was stranded in the middle of GA summer in 100 degree temperatures and had to walk home. The 2nd time same time of year except I had my 8 month old twins with me. GM has replaced two different sensors in the vehicle. I got really tired of having the thing jumpstarted to reset the computer. I was told by the GM mechanic that it would stop resetting after awhile and my key wouldn't have worked. It's terrible when a safety feature causes harm to you and your family
- catherinega,
Roswell, GA, US
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The security light comes on and immediately goes to service engine. I find that I have to turn the ignition switch further to the right to get it to engage. Am experiencing the same clicking sound from under the dash as all the rest. Another strange thing is the fan comes on at the same time for no reason even tho the temp guage is low.I would just like to bypas the security system.
MY PASSLOCK CAME ON ABOUT JUNE CAR DIDN'T START ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER. THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE CAR DIDN'T START AGAIN. NOW IT'S ABOUT EVERY THIRD START THIS HAPPENS. FORTUNATE NOT BEEN LATE FOR WORK BUT LATE COMING HOME. IT HAS TAKEN UP TO 30 MIN FOR THE CAR TO START EVEN WITH TURNING THE KEY CONSTANTLY. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. MY FRIENDS CAR SAME YEAR IMPALA STARTED WITH SAME PROBLEM MECHANIC TOLD HER, THE WHOLE CAR NEEDED REWIRING. LOCAL MECHANIC NEAR ME SAID HE COULD DISARM EASILY ENOUGH ABOUT $100.00. GM WASN'T MORE THAN A HUNDRED. HAVEN'T FIXED YET LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN TELL ME HOW TO DO IT. ANY SUGGESTIONS
I am having a very annoying problem with my 2003 Chevy impala. very often the car wont start. the battery is ok because its new everything else seems fine but i think there is a security feature in this 2003 impala Ls model that comes on everytime. everytime i have to wait for 30 or more minutes then it will start again. please can anybody out there tell me how to fix this problem.Today as I finished pumping gas , I went in the car, start it .it wont start. tried for almost 30 mins before i got it started. this is very annoying. pls help
My 2003 Impala starting having the service engine soon, security, and battery lights, coming on, the radio says LOCKED, and it has not started twice. Needless to say, I just paid it off. Does any one have an honest solution to this? I don't want to take it to the dealer. I ran a diagnostic and the mechanic said there was no communication with the body control module. I would appreciate any help. Thanks!
OK GM/ Chevrolet What's the deal? This is my wifes car. And now she tells me she's scared to turn it off at the gas pumps.Maybe I should write OSHA on this matter. What ya think of that? Time for a RECALL don't you think? It seems to happen more often. At least we get the SECURITY alert to let us know it's about to occur again. So how about it? Before someone gets blown into next week at the gas pump, where the signs clearly state SHUT OFF ENGINE. It's a shame my 91 S-10 with 200,000 plus miles is more dependable.
It's one problem after another with this car. A few months ago, it wouldn't start because of passlock problem. I had fixed and now the dealer says the computer has to be changed to start with and then they will see what else needs to be done, maybe they will change the computer under the seat. They will let me know. The car is currently at the dealer and I have no control or knowledge if they are right or if they are just taking me for a ride. This car is like new and I barely have 30000 miles on it. This is my last GM product - I have always believed in supporting North American products but next car will be Japanese.
the same problem happened to my car. I get some gas, go back to start my car and nothing. this happens about every 3-4 weeks. I replaced the starter as instructed and it still happens. extremely frustrated and nobody seems to know what the problem is.
I have the 'no start' problem to. I have to wait 10 mins. then I'm ok. But this is a problem that should not exist, and GM should stand up and do a recall. I would be very concerned about a women & children getting stalled
From now on, I'm going to always let the electronics do a full 'boot up' before I try to start it.
I paid $100 for the dealer to tell me they couldn't find the problem. I had parked the car, went into a store, came back in about 3 minutes and it wouldn't start. I even had a tow truck on the way when it finally started (about 15 min). Didn't happen again until about 8 months later, and now it has happened 3 times in the last 3 weeks. I especially love when it happens at the gas station. Wonderful feeling. I have had the Security light come on, then go away, and I have the Check Engine light come on during these instances. I have since leased a Honda and will never buy American again. For the amount of money I paid for this car, and now the gas I am piling into it, it HAD BETTER at least start when I turn the KEY!!
This sux. With some many complaint all the dealer could say was give me $100 buck (or whatever) and we'll diagnose the problem. Any repair costs will be your problem but we'll apply the 100
GM has a serious issue with their Pass Lock system.
Now I have investigated a lot of weird stuff but this one is all GM (To blame).
To make a very long "root cause investigation" short...
1) They (GM) have used connectors in the ignition Pass Lock system which do not
mate up properly.
2) They (GM) did not use gold plated connector pins for this specific application.
3) They (GM) did not understand compensating software for the Body Computer.
The main issue is that, over time, the Pass Lock connector pins oxidize.
This oxidation changes the critical analog Pass Lock signal to the Body Computer.
So the Security light comes on whenever and the car does not start whenever.
You can buy a Pass Lock "bypass kit" online and disable the system... easy and cheap.
I ended up hand soldering the three wires (Black, White and yellow) directly to the
Pass Lock sensor on the ignition switch. Not so easy but it does not disable the security system...
My Impala is finally fixed and it cost me nothing...
So now everyone knows the truth about your expensive GM problem!
Maybe a Consumer Advocacy group would like to contact me as a "key wittiness" in some litigation?
I have a very advanced background in Electronics, Automotive Engine Management Systems and a Degree in Computer Science. Presently I am working as an Embedded Software Engineer.
This was actually the fifth time this problem has happened in the last month, causing me to be late for work or appointments. Our mechanic told us to take it to a Chevy dealer, but it appears from the lengthy list of complaints that the dealer hasn't done anything to solve the problem. They really need to do a recall and get this issue resolved at their expense. It is very annoying and embarrassing to be late for things because of a "security/electrical defect". Come on Chevy, fix the problem.
I'm having the same problem as everyone else with what I believe to be the passlock system. The car won't won't start half of the time and when I brought it to the dealer it didn't do it for them and they said we don't know what the problem is???? Has anyone started a "class action law suite"??? If so, sign me up!!!! This problem is getting really old really quick, I have learned however turn the key on for about 10 minutes and the car will start, but it seems to be getting worst.
The security light stays on while driving and eventually the car will not start. Called the GM customer care and was instructed to lock/unlock the doors twice, turn the ignition to the "ON" position and let it sit for at least 10 minutes, then turn it to the "OFF" position and start the car. This has worked so far but only lasts a little while.
I'm sure Chevrolet (GM) have heard enough rants about the issue with the Security display and the car not starting. Have they figured out a solution? This is driving me away from GM products.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Security light has been staying on. Today, it wouldn't start. We checked fuses, jumped the starter solenoid and any other trick we could think of. Nothing. As we were about to give up, we tried the key one more time and the stupid thing started. Go figure! Seems like everyone is having the same problems with no real answers to the problem. Is it the security system, the solenoid, or some ridiculous computer problem the manufacturer put in to make you go the the dealership so they could rip you off???!!!!
- tsessions, Orange Beach, AL, US