Hello all, I'm new to the J body community. I just purchased a 97 cavalier as a more fuel efficient daily driver... (Other vehicle is a 99 2 dr Tahoe Sport).
After 3 days of researching and trying all the "learning procedures" listed all over the internet, nothing has helped turn my theft light off, nor am I able to start my car using the key.
Background:
"THEFT SYSTEM" light is ALWAYS on. I do not have the "Run for 2 seconds & shut off problem" most others complain of. My Theft light is always on, and when I turn my key to the crank position nothing happens, not even the starter engages. The only way I am able to start this car is if I use my power probe and probe the starter wire right after the ignition switch while holding the key in the crank position....
Made sure my neutral safety switch is in good working order, and it is....
I have tried wiring up a resistor between the yellow and black wires that exit the ignition lock, nothing has changed...
I have tried the 30 minute re-learn procedure, with no avail....
I'd like some insight as to what it means when the "Theft System" light is always on.... I never see it flash, and the only time it is off is when I manually jump the starter while holding the key in crank position. The car is completely drivable once started, and never shuts off.
Any advice from seasoned J-body enthusiasts is surely welcomed. I've always liked cavaliers and I hope once I get over this hurdle I can become an active member in the community.
So when you probe the START+ wire in the factory ignition harness (Yellow), do you see voltage under crank?
BTW, if it's not flashing then you're not locked out and Passlock likely isn't your issue unless the system has been cut out for some reason.
If you have the anti-catchonfire ignition relay, check the terminals for it. I had one break off and my car wouldn't start. What you have going on is not passlock at all.
Your car may do 13 sec @ 103 mph, but my car does 146db @ 35 hz.
bradsk88 wrote:So when you probe the START+ wire in the factory ignition harness (Yellow), do you see voltage under crank?
I so no voltage under crank at all.... I initially thought it was my ignition switch unit, so I changed that, and I still have the same problem. Before I spend big bucks on a lock and tumbler I'd like to eliminate all other (and cheaper) possible problems.
When the ignition switch is turned the accessory position, is the "theft system" light supposed to stay illuminated permanently, or is it supposed to illuminate for a few seconds and then turn off?
My constant illumination of the theft system light really leads me to believe it has something to do with passlock 1.
I checked the starter relay that was installed as per the dealer recall, it is working fine.
Thanks again for the help.
Luis Nertus wrote:bradsk88 wrote:So when you probe the START+ wire in the factory ignition harness (Yellow), do you see voltage under crank?
I so no voltage under crank at all.... I initially thought it was my ignition switch unit, so I changed that, and I still have the same problem. Before I spend big bucks on a lock and tumbler I'd like to eliminate all other (and cheaper) possible problems.
When the ignition switch is turned the accessory position, is the "theft system" light supposed to stay illuminated permanently, or is it supposed to illuminate for a few seconds and then turn off?
My constant illumination of the theft system light really leads me to believe it has something to do with passlock 1.
I checked the starter relay that was installed as per the dealer recall, it is working fine.
Thanks again for the help.
Nope, Theft light will stay on until the turn the car over.
You should have 12v on crank on that wire so I suspect you've blown one of the ignition fuses. I'm pretty sure they're in the fusebox under the hood but not positive without going out to look.
could be your key i was using my sparre for a while and it was so wore down my car theft light would always be on but when i put in my better key it never came up agian
98 Sunfire
Hats off to everyone who said it wasn't a Passlock issue, you were right!
Turns out it was my ignition lock unit. I took it out to inspect, and I noticed it looked it it had been tampered with before. Upon further inspection, I discovered that as a result of the tampering, the pins were not allowing it to complete the crank rotation. After some adjustments, everything works properly, and I can now start my car normally....
Thanks to all!
James (ROLN19S) (JuicyJ) wrote:James (ROLN19S) (JuicyJ) wrote:Bad ignition????
YAY! What do I win?
You win 1 internets!!!!
Your car may do 13 sec @ 103 mph, but my car does 146db @ 35 hz.
