Anti-theft light on?

Tiny
MICHAELA BATES
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 184,000 MILES
My key broke in the ignition, I had the key removed and a new key made and programmed, and my car still will not start. The starter and battery are only months old, the key did turn the car on ( so I do not think there are ignition problems) and everything has power but will not not start. The anti-theft system light is still blinking. Is it possible the key was programmed incorrectly, was the anti-theft system still on, or could there be something wrong with my ignition? I am ruling out anything else because the car does not make any noise when starting is attempted.
Wednesday, June 28th, 2017 AT 5:37 PM

26 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,480 POSTS
If the security light is blinking the key is not being recognized. I would suggest going over this guide to try and reset it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
MICHAELA BATES
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you! It did not accept the keys because they did not work. I just planned to get keys from the dealership. Thanks a lot have a good one.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
Steve W. Is one of our best.

Please use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Tell a friend please.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
CHRSAT2CO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
The car sounds like it will start when I turn the key, but then it wont. I have blinking theft light and no anwers
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Turn ON the ignition, try to start engine and leave key on with the engine OFF.

Observe the security indicator. After approximately 10 minutes, the telltale will turn OFF.
Turn OFF the ignition, and wait 5 seconds.
Repeat steps two more times for a total of 3 cycles or 30 minutes.
Start engine
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WILBUR524
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 87,000 MILES
Have replaced fuel pump, ignition module, spark plugs, battery. Runs fine when it starts. Have had it towed twice as it turns over fine but will not start.
The fuel pump was replaced and it was fine for a month, was shut off and would not start, was towed back to the shop. Then the ignition module was replaced and it was fine for a couple weeks, was shut off and would not restart. Was towed again and am out 800$$ and it will not start again, though it turns over fine.
Something tells me it is something they touch in the shop, gets wiggled or is loose, but the shop has no explaniation. Please Help. Wm.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
GM PASS LOCK RELEARN- Ignition to "run" position, try to start and let key return to "run" position
Approx ten minutes security light will go off
Turn key "off" and wait 5 seconds
Repeat 2 more times for a total of 3 relearns.
Turn key off, then start it
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN_SEYMOUR
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
My malibu wont start, when I turn the key I can hear the fuel pump kick in for a few seconds but when I try to start it it acts like it is igniting the fuel but then it dies right away. To me it seems like computer problem but not sure.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome, do you think the theft/security system might be causing a problem? Passlock is injector disable, it may start then die.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN_SEYMOUR
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Is there an easy way to confirm that it could be the theft/security system
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
The theft/security lite on the dash, is staying on or flashing? Check trouble codes. Other than that, I don't know an easy to check?
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEARNINGABOUTCARS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I'm not sure if you solved your problem but this happened to me and called the person who sold me the Malibu. It was the antitheft security and she said to wait 30 minutes and restart it. It was fine afterward. Hope you solved it!
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN_SEYMOUR
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you for the tips, I called my wife and had her turn the key on for about ten minutes, then try to start it. It did not start the first time but then she noticed the anit theft light came on and she tryed it again and it started right up. Thanks again
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JJ712U
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
My car wont start it will turnover like its gonna start but quickly die it has gas ive checked the oil and spark plugs. Everyone keep saying its fuel related?
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The reason it doesn't start is because the security light is on it has disabled the fuel injectors.I posted below how it work's let's try relearning the pass lock sensor. Here is how you do it let me know what happens. So we can go from there.
10 MINUTE LEARN PROCEDURE

1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
2. Attempt to start the engine, then release the key to ON, vehicle will not start.
3. Observe the SECURITY telltale, after approximately 10 minutes the telltale will turn OFF.
4. Turn OFF the ignition, and wait 5 seconds.
5. The vehicle is now ready to relearn the Passlock Sensor Data Code and/or passwords on the next ignition switch transition from OFF to CRANK.
6. Start the engine, the vehicle has now learned the Passlock Sensor Data Code and/or password.

VEHICLE THEFT DETERRENT (VTD) DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

Passlock SYSTEM
The Passlock System is provided in order to prevent vehicle theft if the ignition lock cylinder is forced to rotate or the ignition switch is operated while separated from the ignition lock cylinder case. If starting is attempted without authorization from the Passlock System, the powertrain control module (PCM) will disable the fuel injectors causing the engine to stall immediately after starting.

The components of the Passlock System are as follows:

* The ignition lock cylinder and key
* The ignition lock cylinder case, including the Passlock Sensor
* The ignition switch
* The body control module (BCM)
* The security indicator on the instrument cluster
* The powertrain control module (PCM)

Ignition Lock Cylinder Case, Including The Passlock Sensor
The ignition lock cylinder fits inside the ignition lock cylinder case and operates the ignition switch when turned by a key with the proper mechanical cut. When the ignition key is used to turn the ignition lock cylinder to crank, start, a magnet on the lock cylinder passes close to the Passlock Sensor within the ignition lock cylinder case. The magnet activates the Security Hall Effect Sensor in the Passlock Sensor which completes a circuit from the security sensor signal circuit through a resistor to the security sensor low reference circuit. The resistance value will vary from vehicle to vehicle.

If a magnet from outside of the ignition lock cylinder case is used to attempt to steal the vehicle, the Tamper Hall Effect Sensor will be activated. This completes a circuit from the security sensor signal circuit through a tamper resistor to the security sensor low reference circuit bypassing the security resistor. If the ignition switch is forced to rotate without the correct key, or if the ignition lock cylinder is removed by force, the Passlock Sensor will be damaged and will not operate.

Ignition Switch
The ignition switch contains the wiring and electrical switching portion of the column mounted ignition assembly. The ignition switch includes wiring pigtails which connect it to the base of column connector, the Passlock Sensor on the ignition lock cylinder case, and other components. The wiring for the Passlock Sensor is unaffected by ignition switch position. The electrical switch portion is operated by the key and lock cylinder when they are rotated within the ignition lock cylinder case. The ignition switch operates the crank relay regardless of the status of the Passlock System.

Body Control Module (BCM)
The BCM contains the logic of the theft deterrent system. The BCM provides the battery positive voltage to operate the Passlock Sensor. The BCM also measures the voltage of the security sensor signal circuit. The voltage measured will indicate whether the Passlock Sensor has been activated and whether the resistance value from the sensor is a valid value or the tamper value. If voltage measured is in the valid range, the BCM compares this voltage, voltage code, to a previously learned voltage code. If the voltage codes match, the BCM sends a class 2 message containing a password to the PCM. If the voltage codes do not match, or the voltage is in the Tamper range, or there is a circuit fault, the BCM will not send the correct password to the PCM, and the vehicle will not start.

Powertrain Control Module
The powertrain control module (PCM) contains the remainder of the logic of the theft deterrent system. If a class 2 message containing a valid password is received from the BCM, the PCM will continue to allow the fuel injectors to operate. The PCM will allow the fuel injectors to operate until it decides there is no valid password coming from the BCM. If the PCM does not receive a class 2 message, or receives a class 2 message with an incorrect password, the engine will crank and will not run or will start and stall immediately.

THEFT SYSTEM INDICATOR
The IPC illuminates the theft deterrent indicator as determined by the theft deterrent system. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the BCM requesting illumination.

* The vehicle theft deterrent (VTD) system requests the IPC to illuminate the indicator only when the ignition switch is ON.
* The content theft deterrent (CTD) system requests the IPC to illuminate the indicator only when the ignition switch is in the OFF or ACC positions or during RAP.
* The body control module performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.

FUEL LOCKOUT CYCLE
When it receives a password which is incorrect or a password which indicates tamper and the PCM disables the fuel injectors, the fuel injectors remain disabled for 10 minutes even if the ignition switch is turned from the RUN position to the OFF position.

CHANGING THE Passlock COMPONENTS
The following components contain codes or passwords, or must learn codes or passwords for the Passlock system to allow the vehicle to start:

* The ignition lock cylinder case
* BCM
* The powertrain control module (PCM)

If any of these parts are replaced, a learn procedure must be performed. Refer to Programming Theft Deterrent System Components. If parts are replaced and a learn procedure is not performed, the engine will crank and will not run or will start and stall immediately.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JJ712U
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks amillion worked perfectly my brother wants to know if it would be the same for a 2006 monte carlo.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Learning the pass lock sensor will be the same on that car as well.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DUSTWEB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Sometimes when car is shut down it wont start because the security system wont let it unless you wait 10 minutes with key on.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny
Let's try this first. Here is an anti-theft, Security system reset tutorial for you to view.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

After reading just scroll the page to find Chevrolet continued instructions. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SNOWLEOPARD1212
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 86,000 MILES
Please help me! My car hasn't started for weeks! I have checked the fuel pump over, changed the fuel filter, checked the PSI on the fuel line at the motor and it reads 59. (52-59 required) And it doesn't fall fast. The fuel regulator seems to be clean and fine. I have also checked the spark plugs and wires, and the coil pack. Everything is fine so far. I even can hear my fuel pump turning on. I even hooked two different code scanners up to it and both came back with no codes. I don't know what to do.I don't know if this has anything to do with it but the battery on the car completely died, I changed the battery to a fully charged one. Also, there is a viper 771 XV car alarm/starter on there. The installer says it has nothing to do with it but there is also an anti-theft security system on the car itself. I was able to get the car to start only by spraying carb cleaner in the air intake, it ran as long as I sprayed it. As crazy as it sounds the engine tried to start the hardest when I held the brake down. Some say that has nothing to do with it. I really don't know what to do now, I have tried everything! Please please help me! I have a 4 year old and I can't be stranded anymore! THANK YOU for any advice.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:24 AM (Merged)

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