In my 2001 Chevy Malibu the anti-theft dash light comes on after buying gas when I drive and stop the car and want to start the car again. I have to sit and wait 10 min. to start car. Can anyone help?

Answer 1

It's your VATS (Vehicle Anti Theft System) system. It's designed to keep the car from starting for 5 minutes if anything but the correct key is inserted into ignition. They wear out and are useless anyway. The least expensive way to alliviate the problem is to bypass this system and you can print a free diagram off the internet and attempt it yourself or take it to a mechanic.

I had the same problem with my Chevy Malibu 2005 ("Classic"). It started one day when I looked down and seen my "Anti-Theft system" light on. I couldn't figure out why it just popped on for no reason. Later on that day I tried to start up my car and it wouldn't start. Over the next couple of days this became an inconvenience, and started to make me late for work and other events. So, I got smart and decided to first stick the key in, wait about 3 to 5 seconds, and Bam! it works like a charm! I realized that for some reason the car wasn't reading the key right, and that by sticking the key in for a few seconds gives it time to register. It's been about 5 months since that last incident and no problem since.