Car Alarms: 96 Cavalier Alarm, chevy dealer, cdplayer

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
Your vehicle has a system known as PASSLOCK I.  This system incorporates what is essentially a resistor in the ignition switch that the car's computer needs to see to allow it to start.  This sounds to me like you need your ignition switch replaced, and if I remember correctly there was a recall on that body cavalier directly related to the ignition switch.  You could do a permanent bypass and you can find out more information on the passlock system by going to: http://www.directechs.com/techtips/pdfs/resources/security/directed_techtips/104...

I would recommend calling a local Chevy dealer with your VIN to see if it is covered under the recall, and if not, what the cost of replacing the switch would be.