Car Alarms: 96 Cavalier Alarm, minute time frame, gm passlock

Question
Hello,

I am the owner of a 96 Cavalier. Recently, I've been having issues with the Theft System... What used to happen every once in a while has not become very frequent. Sometimes my vehicule will start up immediately, and other times my car won't even attempt to start and a light comes on that says *Theft System*.. I never even knew I had an alarm till the light turned on. Nothing has ever been installed..

Now when the light comes on, sometimes if i keep trying for over 15 minutes it will work.. I turn the steering wheel and press everything i see, hoping its a miracle switch. But most times, nothing works and I have to wait till the next day to try again.

If it helps, a few months back I got my CDPlayer installed professionnally.. They had issues installing it but after a few visits, we got everything working fine. Problem seemed to start after that. Mind you, it could simply be a huge coincidence.

I have been searching the Web nonstop for solutions and saw something about turning on the vehicule 10 mins and shutting off 3 times.. Didnt work.

Hope you know the fix or even how to deactivate this manufacturer`s alarm. Its making me go crazy and I don't have the means to pay for a mecanic :(

Thanks

Answer
Ok, here's what's happening.

The 10 minute time frame is the indicator that points
to a passlock problem.  10 minutes is the magic number
that says the passlock has been put into long tamper mode,
the vehicle thinks someone is trying to start the car with
the incorrect key.

If there is no aftermarket remote start in the vehicle,
then I would suggest taking it to the dealership for repair.  
If there is an aftermarket remote start, then whatever method
that was used to bypass the passlock is malfunctioning.

Now don't confuse this. The reaction you are having IS
due to the GM PASSLOCK II system being breached & activated
or, it is malfunctioning. In either case, this is
what (in this car) is troubling you. The trouble
though is that the local mechanic at
the gas station can't help here.

Sorry, but the passlock is GM's way
of getting you coming and going.

There is no outside method other then circumventing
it momentarilly to allow remote start, which won't
fix your troubles.

Nope, this is a GM issue and has to be corrected there,
or an outside shop will charge you bukoo bucks
to replace the whole VATS. (VERY PRICEY $$$$!)

Sorry wish I could be more help, but if it's
intermittent now, then it needs they're technician,
they're factory computer diagnostics to fix it.

There will be a fee involved to reset it, but much less
then replacing the entire VATS-Passlock system.

If you do find another fix, let us all know.
This is NOT uncommon. It is GM's way of keeping
it all inhouse, security wise.

Let us know what you find out.

Murph/ALARMTEK GM/VIPER TECH.