Hey everyone,
Currently, my '01 Cavalier does not start. The key turns all the way but nothing happens, no clicking, nothing. On the instrument cluster, the anti-theft system light stays on, and my mechanic said this is a common problem....He said the anti-theft system prevents hot wiring or using a screw driver to start, and that there is a problem with this system that it does not recognize my key. My key is not the kind with the microchip implanted in it, though. He also suggested that I just leave my key in the 'run' position for about 20, then try to start the car. I did this and nothing changed.
I read on some websites that the problem deals with the anti-theft system in combination with the ignition lock cylinder.
Does anybody know of a quick fix for this or any suggestions with this problem?
Hey Mike,
I sometimes have that problem with my 97 cavalier. I have an automatic car starter so i usually use that. Try starting it really quick, don't let it turn over too much. That usually works for my car. If that doesn't work my only advice is a get an automatic car starter. It is great to have in the winter!
Lisa
Your mechanic is talking about Passlock.. there's a Hall Effect Sensor in the key cylinder that reads the resistance of the metal (in the key itself) and sends that resistance value, known as the "R-code" to the Body Control Module (BCM) which sends the proper fuel pasword to the PCM which lets the car start. If the wrong password is sent, the car will just crank over and not start (on 00+ cars), or start and then die within a few seconds (95-99 cars).
Your car isn't even cranking, so it's not Passlock. But that was a neat lesson anyway.
Do you have an aftermarket starter kill alarm installed? If so, there's your problem. If not.. then something else is wrong. The starter circuit goes thru the clutch pedal switch (if you have a 5 speed), or the neutral safety switch (on an auto).. there may be a problem there.
<a href="http://www.lenkorules.com/"><img src="http://s93165229.onlinehome.us/images/zm/sig/LRDCsig3.jpg"></a>
Also check all your fuses under the hood as well as inside the car- well, fuses pertaining to the ignition, starter etc...
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Hey there. I had the same problem. ( I think) Does you car have an auto car starter installed. if so get rid of it thats whats causing the problem. With me I started the car to warm up last winter while I went in from work to get changed before leaving. After comming back out - about 10 minutes - the car was shut off and the car was filled with acrid smelling smoke. After a little poking around I discovered it was a chip in the car starter that had fried. As it was already installed I assumed it was a chevy thing so I unpluged the whole thing and brought it back to the dealer. No dice there. The dealer told me he had several complaints about a similar issue however the unit was not from GM. He was nice enough to tell me though that if I were to take the column apart there would be a yellow and black wire running from the ignition. If I found the other end that was plugged into the car starter box and re splice them I should be good to go. This should work for you as well. The monkey who installed my unit however distroyed all the factory color code so I had to rewire every thing from the starter on up. That sucked. Any how. If you should fing the yellow and black wires and by pass the auto start, assuming you have one you should be good. Hope this helpes a little.
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