You have a 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva that wont start unless you leave the key in for 10min until the security light stops blinking Any thoughts?

Answer 1

PASSLOCK I or II DISABLEMENT

The following is a procedure to disable Passlock I or II Systems for vehicles in which remote start/stop system installations are required. This procedure is required because a remote start system will not function with the current Theft Deterrent System (Passlock) which is included on many 1996 and up GM vehicles.

Please note that this modification is intended to be used only in conjunction with the installation of a remote start/stop system and does not provide a procedure to install a remote start/stop system.

CAUSE If an attempt is made to start a vehicle by a means other than a key rotation in the ignition switch, the Body Control Module (BCM) will interpret this start as a vehicle theft and disable the fuel injectors.

CORRECTION A minor wiring modification may be made to allow the vehicle to be started remotely. This modification includes adding a switch to allow the customer to select �ON� to disable Passlock or �OFF� for normal Passlock operation.

CAUTION: When this modification is performed and the switch is set to the ON position, the theft deterrent feature will be disabled. When the theft deterrent is disabled the SECURITY or THEFT telltale will light up indicating that the theft deterrent system is NOT functioning.

PASSLOCK MODIFICATION

Refer to appropriate GM service manuals and/or SVMQP Electrical Guideline Manual for instruction on splicing and electrical connections. 1. Select a suitable on-off switch (see note below) which will be used to disable/ enable the Passlock System. Mount the switch in a location such that it is accessible to the driver and will not interfere with normal vehicle operation. NOTE: This is an extremely low current circuit (approx. 7mA), it is therefore very important that a high quality, low energy, fast acting switch be utilized for this application. 2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position. 3. Locate the Main Ignition Switch Harness. GM's Passlock System wires exit the Ignition Switch Tumbler together and then join with the Main Ignition Switch Harness. (See http://www.bulldogsecurity.com/ or http://64.85.6.118/diagrams/diagrams.asp and select your Make, Model and Year for wire colors and clues on the quickest way to access these wires.) 4. Locate the Yellow Passlock Data Wire which is included in a bundle of three tiny (20 GA) wires wrapped in friction tape. Cut this wire and splice a 0.5mm2 (20 GA) yellow wire to each end of the cut wire. Keep wire length to a minimum. Route modification wires clear of moving parts. Connect the yellow wires to the switch such that the contacts are OPEN when the switch is in the ON position. 5. Turn modification switch to the OFF postion (contacts closed). 6. Start vehicle to verify normal operation. If engine �cranks but will not start" recheck the switch position (contacts should be closed), wire connectors and modification wiring.

SWITCH OPERATION

To enable remote start: Start the engine with the ignition key (modification switch must be in the OFF position). Turn modification switch to the ON position (contacts open). The SECURITY or THEFT telltale will light up indicating that the Passlock System is inoperative. Once the SECURITY or THEFT telltale has been on for at least 5 seconds the vehicle can be turned off and then remotely started.

To disable remote start: The Passlock System can be reactivated by turning the modification switch OFF (contacts closed). Vehicle can either be running or off when this is done.

Please note that the VCM/PCM will record Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) related to the security system when the modification switch is in the ON position (circuit open). This is due to the way that the VCM/PCM interprets this condition.

NOTICE Any condition which removes battery power from the Vehicle Control Module/Powertrain Control Module (VCM/PCM) (e.g. dead battery, disconnected harness connectors, etc.) will prevent the vehicle from being restarted. If the engine exhibits a �cranks but will not start� symptom, place the modification switch in the OFF (contacts closed) position. This will reactivate the Passlock System and allow the vehicle to be started with the ignition key.

This really works, took me about 45 min's and a cost of $4.50 for the switch "that had short wires built in"! Wish I would have known this before all the headache, and $$ spent...GM kept tell my mencanic it can't be done...BULL!!!!

AnswerYou have a passlock security system. I had mime replaces @ $300 and now 85 days later it is doing the same thing! The fuel pump is shutiing down because the security system is telling the car that someone is trying to seal the car-This is the first year that the system can not be bypassed-before 1997 you could just bypass it some way. Be sure that you NEVER try and start the car until the light stops blinking. Otherwise the 10 min has to satrt again GOOD LUCK!!

if you simply cut the small yellow wire in the column from the ignition switch it will disable the passlock system and the carwill start and run fine. the security light in the dash will always be lit up solid. worked great on our 1998 after we sent in the IPC twice to be repaired. and also replace the lock cylinder and chip key to try to solve no start problems with the passlock system.. also to no avail. car has been startign perfectly for over a year now after cutting the yellow wire. there are three small wires from the ignition lock assembly. the yellow one is the one to cut. i am going to today install a remote start kit on a 1991 and will cut the same wire to disable the passlock system on it so the remote starter will work.

Listen to these people!! They know what they are talking about. I followed their advice cause i was having the same problems with my 97 achieva. I cut the yellow wire and had no trouble since. the security light on the dash blinks all the time but its worth it to me! Good luck!!

UPDATE 01/16/2010: I have a '97 Olds Achieva as described and experienced exactly the same symptoms--crank, no start. I went down to Pep Boys and purchased a two-way toggle ($2.99), some wire ($5.99) and went to work as described above. I cut the yellow wire in the three-wire set, spliced it into the toggle, tape it all up with some electrical tape and the car started right up! I put everything back together gently, leaving the toggle hidden in the column shroud, tested it some more without problems, and here I am, having saved myself countless dollars and hours of frustration! Follow these instructions and you can't go wrong! email me if you run into the same problem and I'll walk you through it: ch33rful-at-Yahoo.com.

I have a 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL with the same problem, the security light comes on and when i try to start it it cranks but turns off immediately after start up. Many people and many different sites have recommended cutting the yellow wire in the steering column to bypass the security system but when i did so the engine continues to turn off immediately after start up. I know there's no problem with the engine or fuel pump because just the day before when i left the key in the ignition for ten minutes and waited for the security system to turn off it worked just fine. Any ideas or suggestions?