Security light *BUT* my car always starts?

[adamlp]

Hi guys,

My car has the solid security light, and my security system works (at least I think it does, I've opened my door and had the entire thing light up). It's a 2000 SC2, but my light just stays on as I drive. I'm trying the relearn position right now, but hopefully I'm not wasting the next 30 minutes when it really is no more of an annoyance than any sort of problem.

Any ideas?

[adamlp]

Ok, so that didn't work...

[campus189]

Originally Posted by adamlp

Ok, so that didn't work...

Relearn?

You mean you pulled either the battery cable(s) off, or pulled the PCM fuse(s)
or all the above for about 10 Minutes?

[fdryer]

If 'security' is lit all the time then the factory Passlock theft deterrent system is in the failed/disabled mode - its not working/no theft protection/injectors aren't disabled when Passlock is armed.

What do you mean by "I've opened my door and had the entire thing light up"?

[OldNuc]

Popular topic it seems...
http://www.automotiveforums.com/t454...ck_system.html

[fdryer]

That link goes back to 2006 for the GM family of Passlock security issues. There doesn't seem to be any major issues for Saturns with Passlock since the 2000 model year. For anyone reading old posts despite Passlock misinterpretations of which versions (I, II, III, Passkey, etc.) and attempting the bypass of cutting a wire, may be in for a rude awakening. If a simple wire cut is made and forgotten (easily by today's version of distracted driving), a dead battery in the dead of winter or replacing one may enable Passlock to lock out starting and running. I mention this now to temper anyone's idea of a "quick fix" as GM didn't make this theft deterrent system easy for anyone to bypass. A good early example were remote start systems that didn't work (with GM requiring owners to remove these aftermarket systems entirely before any warranty work can proceed) and mentioned in another board where GM warns of bypassing Passlock altogether and not having theft protection as a trade off to using remote start. A relatively new vehicle that the owner wants remote start but must have an authorized bypass switch wired in is made aware of the lack of theft protection - its either convenience (remote start) or theft protection, not both. These posts are old and anti-Passlock members are few here on Saturnfans. While a popular topic in other GM forums, not many Saturnfans have complained of serious Passlock issues once educated.

A valid warning to anyone bypassing Passlock will simply leave the security light on all the time while driving and future issues when and if a dead battery issue pops up when Passlock can become enabled again to lock out this 'bypassed' system and prevent the engine from running. While a successful bypass can be done, this becomes the owner's problem later down the road when its conveniently forgotten. Or the new owner inherits this issue..........

Even my old '03 L300 with an aftermarket remote start works flawlessly even when a few new hiccups occurred that aren't mentioned in the manuals. Most aftermarket remote start systems learned to use the bypass module early systems didn't have to work seamlessly with Passlock. Since the troubles began with aftermarket systems not fully compatible with most theft deterrent systems, vehicle manufacturers simply designed in-house remote start to ensure aftermarket systems are excluded to prevent more issues.

Its probably safe to say that Passlock has gone through many versions and improvements since the beginning to eliminate issues. This can be equated to the infamous coolant sensor saga from '91-'01 when GM/Saturn quietly changed over to the brass sensor. No TSB's, no recall campaigns, nothing. Improving/upgrading Passlock and then switching over to Passkey or rfid keys/transponder security simply takes advantage of better theft protection.

[OldNuc]

The usefulness of a theft deterrent system is highly location dependent. For some it is a necessity and others it is nothing but an irritation. Like all --one size fits all-- solutions to a problem there are unintended consequences.

The 2000+ Saturns never had a large enough market penetration to ever cause much of a ripple in the vast information superhighway. There is precious little regarding S-Series passlock issues. With the other later Gen-3 quirks the available population of cars is low compared to other makes/models of the same vintage.

[adamlp]

Originally Posted by fdryer

If 'security' is lit all the time then the factory Passlock theft deterrent system is in the failed/disabled mode - its not working/no theft protection/injectors aren't disabled when Passlock is armed.

What do you mean by "I've opened my door and had the entire thing light up"?

I mean that when I arm the system, my security light briefly flashes every few seconds while armed. If I leave the window down and unlock the car by hand, the alarm goes off, horn and lights flashing. There's definitely some theft protection. The only difference is that the security light is always lit while driving.

I have pulled the battery and had no change, but have not pulled the PCM fuse. I'll give that a shot.

[fdryer]

GM's version of theft deterrent may have its pros and cons but what new technology doesn't? Whether in rural Oklahoma or downtown San Francisco, Passlock and every derivative of a fuel disable program to render a car inoperative is of value the moment a car is stolen from the owner that values it the most for daily transportation. Whether its a Ferrari or plain jane Saturn, a car that can't be stolen unless loaded onto a flat bed reduces theft despite owners complaints of occasional faults.

When the USA used the first two nuclear bombs to end a war, no one thought anything of the future and the weight of unleashing a new age of nuclear weapons or using nuclear power for a new way to create more electrical power. A prolonged war was ended by using the bomb twice. The world wrestles with upstart nations joining the nuclear club and flaunting the ability to use it. History says Germany, Russia, and the USA were all at various stages of nuclear engineering technology. Whether anyone likes it or not, the nuclear genie is out of the lantern.

Theft deterrent is just another way of keeping a vehicle in the driveway. I think its safe to say this little orb we live on has no use for nuclear weapons. Going back to conventional weapons seems to work in the aftermath of 9-11 with drones putting fear into those that seem hell bent on America. Nuclear power for electrical generation is another matter.

[fdryer]

Originally Posted by adamlp

I mean that when I arm the system, my security light briefly flashes every few seconds while armed. If I leave the window down and unlock the car by hand, the alarm goes off, horn and lights flashing. There's definitely some theft protection. The only difference is that the security light is always lit while driving..

The factory remote is only one way to disarm Passlock. Using the key to unlock the door doesn't disarm Passlock until inserting the ignition key and turning it to the ON/RUN position within 10 seconds to disarm the alarm system, a separate bells and whistles arrangement, and Passlock.

The security light always ON means Passlock has failed and is disabled. The horns and lights are what GM describes as the vehicle content theft system. Engine immobilizing is Passlock to prevent the engine from running when fuel injection is disabled. Your bcm has failed insofar as Passlock is concerned. The 30-minute relearn procedure should work otherwise Passlock troubleshooting is needed.

If Passlock fails in the enabled mode, you won't be driving, period. You'll be able to crank the engine until either the battery dies or the starter burns out but the engine will never fire up. Passlock disables fuel injection from operating. Every vehicle manufacturer uses this form of vehicle protection to prevent a drive away.