1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Logo
Posted on Dec 14, 2010
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How can I get the security system cleared- Ive tried starting it and waiting 10 min and then turn it off and trying to start-- the 4 ways start flashing as well as the security lite goes on the dash--if I change the steering column then will it help??

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  • Expert 334 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 16, 2011
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Joined: Jan 24, 2010
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It's when the security light starts flashing that the infamous "chip" in the key becomes a nightmare to many. Gradually the car begins not cranking anymore or if it cranks it would start and die in a second. Randomly it will do this more and more often until it won't start anymore. VATS, PASSkey and Passlock immobilizer systems are killing cars all over North America, they have a short lifespan and are certainly more effective against owners than thieves. Here is how you save your car
1st trick, Try a spare key that is newer or used less. The pins wear down and so do the keys causing security fail. 2nd trick, (if not starting) turn the key forward 2 clicks till right before it would normally start, leave like that for 10 minutes. ( no less ) After 10 minutes, turn key back then forward and your car might start. I did this in my regal for more than a year. If its shutting down while running, im sorry i have no quick fix... If anything on this page helps you, please remember to comment or give me a thumbs up on the myfixya sight so i can have a better rating to help more people on this. Thanks

Cheap fix: Bypass the chip in your key. Temporary, but effective. Until the TDM (theft deterrent module) in the dash poops out, then you're kinda screwed. I was told that these types of key security systems have a 7-10 year life span. Sucks for us. This link explains the "Key Issue" pretty well.
----- http://vats.likeabigdog.com/


Never worry again fix: Bypass the whole VATS/Passlock/passkey I or passkey II system entirely. Literally take it out, and throw it away. I just did this in my Regal. Took about an hour. Took longer to find the thing than it did to fix the problem. They sell a unit for 200 bucks to totally bypass this system FOREVER. life time-money back and all that. Finally did this in my car. Well worth the 200 if you've looked into getting this replaced... Anywhere from 600-1000 bucks. If you do buy this, please purchase it thru this link. The cost is the same, but i get credit for the sale and im trying to earn my money back, as you will be able to do if you buy fron NewRockies and join the free affiliate program. Thanks
----- http://newrockies.ca?ap_id=judd0081 ----- With this fix, you can take that whole Vats, passlock, passkey system out of your car all together. Good info on both sites.

It works for:
Any GM or Isuzu Vehicle with VATS or PASSKey or PASSLock security systems.
If your car has the chip in the key or in the lock cylinder, then you can save it with this Full Bypass.
Trucks
.
GMC/Chevy
1998-2006 S10/T10/Sonoma
/Blazer/Jimmy
1998-2007 Suburban/Avalanche
/Tahoe/Yukon
1998-2006 Sierra/Silverado
2002-2008 Trailblazer
2003-2006 SSR
1998-2006 C1500/C2500/C3500
1998-2006 K1500/K2500/K3500
2003-2007 Hummer H2
.
Isuzu
1998-2000 Hombre
2005-2006 I280/I350
2007-2008 I290/I370
.
Cars/Vans
.
Isuzu
2003-2007 Ascender
.
Pontiac
1994-2003 Grand Prix
1998-1999 Montana
2006 Torrent
1996-2005 Grand AM
1994-1998 Trans Sports
1988-1999 Bonneville
1988-2002 Firebird
1995-2005 Sunfire
1996-2002 Trans Am
.
Buick
2004-2007 Rainier
1994-2005 Century
1993-2004 Regal
1982-1999 LeSabre
1991-1996 Park Avenue / Ultra
1994-1996 Roadmaster
1991-1996 Roadmaster Estate Wagon
1982-1999 Riviera
1988-1991 Reatta
1996-1998 Skylark
1982-1990 Electra (all models)
.
Oldsmobile
1996-1998 Achieva
1999-2004 Alero
1994-2004 Aurora
1998-2004 Bravada
1991-1993 Delta 88
1994-1999 Eighty-Eight
1991-1996 Nighty-Eight
1998-2002 Intrigue
1990-1992 Toronado
1994-1997 Cutlass Supreme
1997-1999 Cutlass
1997-1999 LSS/Regency
1997-1999 Silhouette
1991-1996 Custom Cruiser
.
Chevrolet/GMC
1998-2005 Astro/Safari
1998-2008 Envoy
2005-2006 Equinox
1998-2007 Savana/Express
1995-2005 Monte Carlo
1997-1999 Venture
1995-2001 Lumina
1988-2002 Camaro
1995-2005 Cavalier
1982-2004 Corvette
1994-1996 Caprice/Caprice Wagon
1995-1996 Impala SS
2000-2005 Impala
1997-2005 Malibu Classic
1997-2003 Malibu
.
Cadillac
1986-1993 Allante
1982-1996 Fleetwood
1985-1996 Fleetwood Brougham
1992-2004 Seville
1992-2004 SLS/STS
1985-1999 Deville
1994-1999 Deville Concours
1997-1999 Deville D'Elegance
1988-2002 ElDorado
1994-2002 ElDorado Touring
1999-2007 Escalade
.
Saturn
2000 LS/LS1/LS2/LW1/LW2
2001-2002 L100/LW100
2001-2003 L200/LW200
2001-2005 L300/LW300
2004-2005 L-Series
2002-2008 VUE
1996-2002 SL/SL1/SL2
1996-2002 SC1/SC2
1996-2002 SW1/SW2

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1helpful
1answer

Security light flashing and car will not start
i had tjis problem it is a security tking the car simply does not recognize your key thinks someone trying to steal solution turn key all the way to on as if starting let go wait 10 min when security light stops flashing and is steady turn key to off then restart note you have to wait the full 10 min if you dont car will not reset security and you will have to start over
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I lost all power in a 2005 Trailblazer. Called GM and they said to kick the key forward and wait 10 min, and this would reset it. It did but now the radio A/C door locks and windows don't work. What...
Do it three times in a row.

1. Perform a security system relearn.
2. Let the vehicle sit for more than 10 minutes with the key off.
3. Attempt to start the engine, leave the key in the run position monitoring the security system indicator.
4. After 10 minutes, the security indicator will change state.
5. Turn the key off and wait 10 seconds.
6. Attempt to start the engine. If the engine stalls, wait another 10 minutes with the key on.
7. After the second 10 minute timer has expired, turn the key off for 10 seconds.
8. Attempt to start the engine. If the engine stalls, wait another 10 minutes with the key on.
9. After the 3rd 10 minute timer has expired, shut the key off for 10 seconds.
10. The security system will relearn on the 4th starting attempt and the engine should start and run.

Here is a link about the security problem

http://vatspasslockpasskeysecurityhelp.yolasite.com/
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Aug 12, 2011 • Chevrolet TrailBlazer Cars & Trucks
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Just bought this 1999 tahoe from my brother in law and out of curosity i went through the fuse box and realized a 10amp fuse was missing from the fuse box which read security so the person that i am i put...
You need to reset the Passlock security system to your Tahoe.

1. Attempt to start the car, let it stall, but DO NOT turn the key off! Leave it in RUN.
2. Wait 10 minutes or until the Theft System light glows steady instead of blinking.
3. Do not turn the key off, but start it immediately.
4. This should reset your Passlock system.

Good luck and thank you for using Fixya.

If that does not work then your may have to do the 30 min relearn. You do basically the 10 min thing with the security light trick instructions above. Here goes this only works if your secuity light is on.

Put key in ignition don't start the car but you want to turn the key all the way on and release it back to the on position wait 10 mins or till the security light stops flashing repeat this the exact same way two more times( dont take key out) ending in about 30 mins total time. this should reset the code to the computer and you should have no more problems with it.
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Nov 24, 2010 • Chevrolet Tahoe Cars & Trucks
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My 2001 oldsmobile alero will not start, I put gas and it would not crank over. Then the security light started flashing so I turned the key to the on poistion and was waiting 10 minutes and during that...
im just gonna take a stab in the dark here i understand that your security light is on try unlocking your door with your key sometimes you just need to reset the security. otherwise ive seen a security module go bad that may be preventing you from starting it.
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Apr 24, 2010 • 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
1helpful
1answer

Chevy cavalier wont start randomly! makes one click and a humm sound my lights come on the radio comes on but the car just wont start, ive had battery replaced along with the ignition switch, fuel pump,...
Ok then, from your description and the
make/model/year of the car you have there,
it appears you've reset the VATS.

The car's security immobilizer
reader at the key switch
does not recognize the coded
chip in the ignition key any longer.

You can try to put the key
in the ignition, turn to the on position &
wait at least 10 min like that.
(Do not turn off the key switch before
10 minutes as elapsed!)

Once done, the key is re-programmed and
should allow the fuel injectors to work again.
The car would start now if corrected.

In some cases, the VATS (GM'S VEHICLE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM)
will re learn the code this way, and will then
allow the restart, however if this does not work,
then you can simply tow it to any GM vehicle dealer
to have the service department re code it.

There is a permanent solution though.
Adding the PLJX Self learning Bypass module (59.95)
will bypass the PASSLOCK system in your vehicle
for good. See this at www.PASSLOCK2.com

Good luck I hope method 1 does the trick!

Here is the 30 min relearn:

Ignition keys relearn takes about 30 min to do. 30-Minute Learn Procedure 1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF. 2. Attempt to start the engine, then release the key to ON; the vehicle will not start. 3. Observe the SECURITY tell tale light. After approximately 10 minutes, the light will turn OFF. 4. Turn OFF the ignition switch, and wait 5 seconds. 5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 - two more times - for a total of 3 cycles of 10 minutes. 3x10 = 30 minutes. The vehicle is now ready to relearn the Passlock Sensor Data Code and/or passwords on the next ignition switch turn from OFF to CRANK Important: Turn the Ignition Switch OFF. The vehicle learns the Passlock Sensor Data Code and/or password on the next ignition switch transition from OFF to CRANK. You must turn the ignition OFF before attempting to start the vehicle. 6. Start the engine. The vehicle has now learned the Passlock Sensor Data Code and/or password. 7. With a scan tool, clear any DTCs if needed. History DTCs will self clear after 100 ignition cycles. Without a scan tool you may have momentary starter interruptions while history clears itself.
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Dec 22, 2009 • 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
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Try to start the leve key on for 10 min, turn off (wait 10 sec) then try to start again and leve on for 10 min again, turn off and try again wait 10 min, turn off for 30 sec and then start engine.
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Jul 26, 2009 • 1999 Saturn SL
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When battery was unhooked, the security system came on and locked out the ignition. Car wont start.
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The fab key activates the security system in the car, the ignition pass lock may need to be reset to your ignition key's. It Takes about 30 min to do. Try resetting the pass lock to read your ignition keys. 30-Minute Learn Procedure 1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF. 2. Attempt to start the engine, then release the key to ON; the vehicle will not start. 3. Observe the SECURITY tell tale light. After approximately 10 minutes, the light will turn OFF. 4. Turn OFF the ignition switch, and wait 5 seconds. 5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 - two more times - for a total of 3 cycles of 10 minutes. 3x10 = 30 minutes. The vehicle is now ready to relearn the Passlock Sensor Data Code and/or passwords on the next ignition switch turn from OFF to CRANK. Important: Turn the Ignition Switch OFF. The vehicle learns the Passlock Sensor Data Code and/or password on the next ignition switch transition from OFF to CRANK. You must turn the ignition OFF before attempting to start the vehicle. 6. Start the engine. The vehicle has now learned the Passlock Sensor Data Code and/or password. 7. With a scan tool, clear any DTCs if needed. History DTCs will self clear after 100 ignition cycles. Without a scan tool you may have momentary starter interruptions while history clears itself. Good luck and hope this helps. The ignition keys has a resistor value for the ignition to read and after a few years the resistance may change and the Pass Lock has a had time reading it's value so you have to reset the pass lock to read the keys again.
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My 1995 nissan altima will nopt crank when i turn the key everrything shuts off and the only thing that stays lite on the dash is the word security
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TRY STARTING CAR IF NOTHING LEAVE KEY ON FOR 10 MIN AND THEN TRY TO START CAR AGIAN DO THIS 3 TIMES AND LEAVE KEY ON FOR 10 MINTUES AND DO NOT TRY TO START CAR JUST WAIT AND FOURTH TIME TRY TO START IF NOTHING TURN KEY OFF AND WAIT 10 MIN AND THEN TRY TO START YOUR CAR WHAT THIS DOES IS RESET YOUR SECURITY SYSTEM IN YOUR CAR
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