I’m not sure if this it’s too premature to write. You know, one of those Universe small print type of things (if you boast/brag or mention something before it’s passed- I’ll make you look like a fool.) I’d expose all the examples where that has manifested, but I think you’d rather read about the yellow wire.
If you’ve owned a vehicle with a passlock system- you may know my bane, if not, file it away as I’m sure you can pull this story up to help someone in their time of frustration.
GM factory installs Passlock/Theft Systems in their vehicles. Supposedly it’s a deterrent to prevent someone from sticking a screw driver in your ignition and taking your car. Trust me when I say their crubby workmanship is their own deterrent because a thief will more than likely just walk on by once they see it’s a GM.
The issue bottom lined: You stick your key, it thinks it’s a screw driver and disengages the fuel injector for ten minutes because it’s now in tamper mode. This can happen primarily if there is any moisture in the sensor, dust in the ignition *I am assuming that because electrical device spray cleaner helps it for a bit*, a myriad of things can trigger it to go off and shut you out to prevent you from driving your own car.
It is impossible for me to count the number of times this has happened in the 7 months of owning this vehicle (Chevy Malibu)… I can tell you that it’s done to me at the gas station, before work, after work, going to the hospital, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. and has caused me to become more of a home body than I already am in fear of being locked out because you hear the horror stories of it NEVER getting out of tamper mode (until it’s towed and cpu is reset). With a special needs child prone to seizures and who is not ambulatory… being stranded is not really an option.
This past week was the final straw, I almost broke down in tears from the many times I was stuck due to the damn faulty device. I don’t have money to take it to a mechanic who will ‘try’ to fix it… but I’ve yet to hear a successful story where it was able to be fixed.
I got to the point where I wanted the damned thing gone. I was hoping to use my income tax return on seeing if it could be fixed or taken out… but when I discovered I’m only getting a $57 return, I felt beaten… so… I researched my ass off for a solution. Yesturday I was extremely sick- I was beyond nauseous and I just wanted to run home and safely be sick in the comfort of my home. I went to turn on the engine- and I tripped it. Locked out.
The day before I was locked out en route to getting Jonathon… two times in a row it went off and I had to get a ride acoss town and back. NO MAS!!!
My research pointed to a simple solution: ”The disablement stands alone. The key to all of it is the Yellow wire. If you just quickly want to see if this works—- (1)Start your car (2) Remove your radio, but do not unplug it–just let it hang (3)Reach inside to the left and find the main ignition harness—all of those wires together(4) Find a small bundle of 3 tiny wires (usually Yellow, Black, and white) wrapped in friction tape running from the ignition lock cylinder. (5)Cut the yellow wire (6) Your SECURITY/THEFT SYSTEM light will come on steady (7)The Passlock is now disabled for all future starts.
We just simulated the Toggle Switch disablement. Try this for a few days and if you like it, then go back in and add the Toggle Switch(Just in case you need to reset the system after a battery disconnect)into the Yellow wire. If you don’t , then reconnect the 2 ends of the Yellow wire. Hope this helps.
Ray
Proud Member of The Anti-Passlock Club:smoke:”
Well I took off the trim, took out the radio, found the wires… got scared and the next morning I went to work and for a coke and dutch apple pie, I got my friend Scott to cut the yellow wire. So far so good 
I never realized how much I took the simple task of starting a car for granted.
If you hear of someone experiencing these lockouts…
1. Remove trim and take out the radio but do not unplug
2. Locate bundle of wires typically in electrical tape or a mesh sheath- find the thin yellow wire
4. START THE CAR
5. With the engine running… cut the yellow wire (it’s a low voltage, you’re safe)
6. Notice the Theft System light illuminate on the dash- let the car run for a bit before you turn it off *I waited for Scott to smoke a full cigarette- 7 minutes*
7. Turn off the car… and then try to start it 
FINIS!
Should you need to replace the battery at any time, make sure you reconnect the yellow wire first. At some point to make life easier- get a toggle switch in there to avoid future frustrations… which is something I need to do.
Current Mood:
Buddha
Tags: GM, Malibu, Passlock, Theft System, Yellow Wire
