Anti theft put a used ignition switch in my 1997 pontiac sunfire. the anti thef came on can't get it off. do we have to take it to a dealership or can we do it ourselves?

The key has a chip that the ignition lock-switch "reads" to allow the car to start.
It could be the chip in the key or the sensor.
Try a spare key ??

Changing the ignition has interrupted the passlock antitheft system. Here is a link that has some good info on it.

http://vatspasslockpasskeysecurityhelp.yolasite.com/

SOUND LIKE YOU FAULTLY WORN IGNITION KEY,FAULTY IMMOBILIZER READ COIL IN THE IGNITION SWITCH OR BCM FAULTY HAVE VECHICLE CHECK OUT AT DEALERSHIP AND FIX YOU CANT DISABLE THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM.

the radio theft system is tied into the main theft system of the car in the ECM
you have to have a dealer unlock the radio

Hi,
First thing to do is turning the ignition on and wait till the light go off
than drive to a garage to inspect the ignition switch (faulty anti theft)

Tell the guy to call the dealer and ask them how to override the anti theft system or reset it. when you disconnect the battery and lose power it kicks on the anti theft device and it won't get fire.

Pass Lock sensor is preventing the car from starting. You need to override it. I used a remote start module. Having this installed bypasses the pass lock sensor.

put key in ignition and turn on. leave on for 20min. the light will go out and will work like normal. i had same probb on a 01 grand am.

check inside the distributer cap and the electronic modual is likley the prob.

in the 1996 sunfire GM uses an anti theft lock system. It can be triggered by all sorts of things. In order to relinquish this you must have a key to turn the ignition. These are not coded just plain cut keys. Once you attain this you put the key in and turn the ignition to the ACC position and wait ten minutes (theft lock light will turn off), turn off and take key out. You MUST do this 3 times and then the theft lock will be disarmed.