So the Security light is on or flashing in your vehicle and you are looking at 1 of 3 things. Either the vehicle won't crank over and start, It cranks but dies in a few seconds, or your vehicle shuts off while driving scaring the **** out of you. You have now experienced GM's worst security system ever created. GM's security, also known as Passlock Passkey or Vats.
There are 3 parts in this system:
1.The CHIPKEY
Normally a black resister chip in key which "communicates" to the lock cylinder. Sometimes is hidden in the plastic part of keys in new models. Same concept, might say PK1 PK2 PK3 PL or something similar to that. The newer ones work on frequency. Same thing tho.
2.The LOCK CYLINDER
Inside there are pins that read the chip in the key or the part that reads the frequency on new models. This then "communicates" to the TDM)
3.The TDM
Theft Deterrant Module-Sometimes called the "computer" or "brain". This is the part that sends the signal (**NOTE**) to your car and allows your car to start or continue running depending on your type of system.
If any of these parts are not communicating properly, your SECURITY light will come on and shut down your vehicle. The idea being, that without the chipped key or FOB key, the vehicle wont start and cant be "hotwired" or stolen. Pretty nice when working, but these systems are flawed and the average life is 6-10 years. Every single aspect of this system is expensive to replace and can only be worked on by "authorized" GM service men with out voiding warrenty. Most garages dont even touch them and if they do,
they will sell you every part they can before "fixing" the problem
*QUICK FIX TRICKS*
1st trick
Try a spare key that is newer or used less. The pins wear down with use and so do the keys causing the security to 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 Buick for more than a year. Remember this is a temporary fix... If its shutting down while running, I'm sorry I have no quick fix...
*PERMINANT FIX*
Well since the lifespan of these systems are so short, and are extremely expensive to fix, and in my opinion far worse of a threat to owners than theives, my only perminant suggestion is to eliminate it completely. After a year of 10 minute tricks and a "key bypass" that lasted 2 months. I have only one good suggestion. After surfing the web for hours thru forums and websites i came across http://newrockies.com/passkey to the starter or injectors and so on. Thus eliminating the ENTIRE system COMPLETELY. I came upon a fork in my road. A TDM for $600 in my $1000 car or the $200 bypass. Or throw my car away. Lets say i now drive a Buick with the chip ripped out of the key and the TDM sitting in my glovebox for show
and tell. If you have any questions or anything else. Comment on this post
and i'll get an E-mail to reply to you. If you do choose to buy the bypass,
i have pictures of what a TDM looks like and will definately help you when
installing the newrockies bypass. Good luck
Here is a list of known effected cars that can be fixed with the
newrockies bypass. This is the same list from the site and updates
frequently.
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
1994-1996 Century
1993-1996 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
1982-1991 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
1992-1995 Seville
1992-1995 SLS/STS
1985-1995 Deville
1994-1995 Deville Concours
1988-1995 ElDorado
1994-1995 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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