Car Alarms: lost remote, 1997 chevy cavalier, valet mode


Question
QUESTION: I have a 1997 chevy cavalier with an aftermarket alarm system that I did not have installed ( came with car), I recently lost the remote. the alarm is one that disables the ignition when set. I now have no way to start my car, and am at a loss of what to do.

ANSWER: Please be more specific.

I need to determine whether it's a factory alarm
issue or, if it's an aftermarket system you are
dealing with.

Is it: Headlights flashing, car horn honking
and a worded SECURITY" light in the dash flashing?
(doubtfull since none of the notes show this
car as having a factory alarm system)=FACTORY

Or,

is it: flashing parking lights,
an LED in the dash area, and a siren
going off?= AFTER MARKET

Let me know more on this to better
advise you on a course of action
to take.

Best Regards,

Robert Martin
CEO/ALARMTEK
CARALARMMAN.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: the alarm has an led light on the dash, it does not have a worded security or flashing lights just a siren and an ignition that wont turn over, the radio will turn on but the ignition will not turn over. It is an after market alarm, the remote said black widow( not sure if this will help) thank you for your speedy attention and response

Answer
Ok, try this.
Put the key in the ignition, and turn forward
all the way just before cranking. Then within
5 seconds, press and hold in the valet/overide
button, found under the dash area,
until the installed LED (the blinking light)
in your dash area goes off, and the siren chirps twice.
(Your valet switch might be the toggle (on/off) type.
in this case, key on, flip switch in oposite direction,
key off.)

This should reset the alarm.

Just Repeat these steps to place it
back to valet mode.

That should do it.
If you want to remove it at this point,
take it to your neighborhood installer
for this, or buy the wiring chart for
the vehicle, and reverse engineer it wire
by wire, until it's safely removed.

If it does not work out this way, you will have
to replace the system with one you know how
to operate and what to expect.

The other thing here is that
this vehicle has a the PASSLOCK I key
based engine disabling system.

A bypass is required to circumvent.
It has now locked down the fuel injector
rail, and you will need to tow it in to GM for
evaluation, and resetting.

Or,

You can get the PLJX bypass kit to get around
this issue.

This Passlock Bypass Module is designed to momentarilly
allow the engine to remote start by sending a proper
coded pulse to open the fuel rail passlock injector
cut off circuit.

The output from an alarm/remote starter
would then shut down the pulse, once it has detected
the engine has engaged, and preserve the integrity
of the passlock system.

That is it's designed purpose.

However, in your case, this input wire on the PLJX module,
instead of going to a momentary ground pulse from
an alarm/remote starter,
would go to a constant chassis ground, through
the bypass module, grounding out the PASSLOCK.
The PASSLOCK would then always be bypassed as long
as that wire is chassis grounded.

I can not speak about a damaged passlock system,
like if a thief has destroyed it, because I do not
get into this part of GM'S security application.
But as a happy coincidence to installing
after market remote starters, this does work on bypassing
passlock in most all GM vehicles we've run into,
including your year GM vehicle as well.

Also, this is a self learning, resistor sensing
and adjusting module. Once the VATS wires have been tapped,
you would press the program button to learn,
and it does. The car should then allow start
with any hardware store key.

Hopefully, it will on yours as well.

That's what will work on the 96 + Cavaliers.

Regards,

Robert Martin-ALARMTEK/CEO
Master Technician
Mobile Security Electronics
www.PASSLOCK1.com