Corrosion on the tin contacts - fix costs about $1.50 if you add dielectric grease to the inside of the contacts. problem solved. Problem is not the passlock system or tumbler. there is a wire that connects the ECU to the key tumbler and the contacts are made out of tin which develops corrosion after time. take a wire cleaner, and brush off the contacts and add dielectric grease so it doesn't corrode again. This is why people are reporting that they went in to a dealer, paid 500 dollars and it happened again in a month. DO NOT GO TO THE DEALER.
Passkey 2 Bypass - This fix shows how to fix this on the Grand Am. I've used the same technique on my Impala.
Passlock System Major Design Flaw And How To Fix It - The ignition switch was dissasembled and I looked closely and observed a few interesting things about the PassLock system design.
1) The male connector does not fit securely in the female connector receptacle. It can wiggle up and down and back and forth.
2) The connection is a "blind connection" meaning that during assembly one would not know if the PassLock connector was connected correctly or not.
3) The male and female pins used on the PassLock system are "Tin" plated and subject to oxidation over time. The pins should have been "gold plated."
The grey oxidation was clearly visible under 10X magnification.
4) The Body Computer does not adjust over time for the oxidation that build up on the PassLock pins.
The critical analog PassLock signal drifts depending on mechnical issues, temperature and humidity.
Ok - GM -> The PassLock cat is out of the bag!
What I did about this problem.
I certainly did not take the vehicle to any GM Dealership and get "rear-ended."
I simply hand soldered the three wires (Black, White and Yellow) directly to the PassLock sensor.
The vehicle is repaired and I would like to let GM know that when I sell this vehicle, I will offer a "LifeTime Warranty" on the security system for this vehicle (more than you can do)!
Passlock/VATS Bypass Fix - This site sells a part that will bypass your defective passlock system. You are not alone because many many people have been kept out of thier OWN cars because of this defective system. This part will bypass the whole system so you never have trouble again. It is much cheaper than taking it to a dealer. Worth a look for sure.
Passlock system been a problem for almost 2 years now - had ignition replaced, lasted 2 months, now will be getting a new bcm. I wrote to my US Senator and told him they should not bail out GM until GM stops making defective cars. Anyway, this is my last Chevy.
My mechanic told me this is a very common problem for the Impala's. I just got done paying $600 regarding the seals and the coolant system (at least I will be getting money back from that class action suit to help defray costs). I have always bought American being a 1st generation American and this was instilled in me. Don't know if I will again.. Thanks
intermitant starting has turned from periodic to daily. sometimes every time i get into the car. sounds like everyone else's problem. would like to know if there is a real fix, or am i just stuck with this. why doesn't GM own up to this incompetence and have a recall?
The car won't even start. I had to tow it to the local Chevrolet dealership. The service tech told me that I had to replace my bcm and ignition switch. Approx. $1200 for everything. I was told that I couldn't buy a used bcm because it has already been programmed. I can not believe this is not a recall. IF and WHEN it becomes a lawsuit, count me in.
Tried to start the car but there would be nothing...not even a click. Took the car to the shop and had ignition assembly replaced along with whatever the other part is that it communicates with. On the way home, the security light came on. Will be taking back to the shop tomorrow to have it scanned. THIS is crazy! GM should do a recall. Why would they want their customers to be afraid of driving one of their products?!?!?
- S M.,
Indianapolis, IN, US
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I bought my Chevy Impala 2002 in November 07' The car it self has been really nice, I have put about 20,000 miles on her in the past year. After fighting with the place I bought her from about a few problems. I decided to just let things ride! Then this NO START problem happen.I noticed that the security light would be flashing when it would happen. I replaced a few different things: starter, moduel,and went to replace the ign.switch and decided to wait. This no start problem started in March and it's December and I am still having the same problem its random.This will happen a few times in a week and then not do it for a couple weeks. Strangest thing ever and a real pain in the azz!! I didn't know that alot of people were having this problem now I do and Yes I feel that Chevy should do a recall!! This not a fluke thing we are all going through the same kinda problem here!!
My F'n 2002 Chevy impala is currently not working the "Security" light is on and have stopped my engine for a total of 3 days now and i mean 3 days. When this happened before it only took about 15-20 mins now its been 3 days when the action suit becomes in affect please contact me so i can join because this is very stressful right before christmas..The dealer said it may take $400 plus to fix what do i do......
I had this problem with my 2002 Chevy Impala too. It started with my car not turning over. Every thing turned on but it would not turn over. I would wiggle the steering wheel a few times and wait 20 minutes or so and then it would start up. This would happen maybe once a month maybe less. Then one day my key would not even turn. I had to get it towed and the total cost was a little over $400.00. After seeing other peoples cost to have it repaired I guess $400.00 wasn't all that bad. I think their should be a recall on this. It's only fare.
I've had numerous problems with this car. Thank you GM for Dex-cool. I just traded 2 weeks ago for a Pontiac Montana SV6. Couldn't handle this latest issue anymore. The problem with the security lock out was the icing on the cake. I also HAD the turn signal issue, coolant issue, headlight issue. We just needed to get rid of it. Even though it blue booked at 1800 to 2200 with the issues, the salesman knew the minute he got in my car and looked at the dash and the low coolant light was on what was up. I got 1100 for it. I would suggest if anyone is having one of the issues get rid of the car. You will develop more.
I have been noticing many people are having some sort of bad electrical experience with these Impalas. I have started a petition so no one will have to bear the massive cost of this KNOWN ISSUE which should have gone through a RECALL.
Sign it here: http://www.petitiononline.com/75020780/petition.html
car lights blink after driving security light blinks with lights on console and radio clicking noise heard and even when car of after drive headlight blink and radio stays on for couple of mins could break down or blow up anytime not sure
I went grocery shopping one day. I put all my groceries in my car. I went to start it and it didn't start. The security light was on. It was late at night and I had to have a friend come and get me. She left her house. I just kept letting the car sit and tried to restart it. After about 45 millions tires, it turned over and started. I took it to a dealer and was told that it would cost so much to fix it, it wouldnt be worth it. I was informed that a lot of these cars do that and to get rid of it as soon as possible...Great!!! Thx!!
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IN A WEEK THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED.
ANNOYING BECAUSE IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM. INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS AN IGNITION PROBLEM WHILE ENGINE TURNS OVER ONCE, MISFIRES AND DOES NOT START. IT ALWAYS WOULD START ON THE SECOND TRY. AS OF LATE WHEN I TRY TO START THE SECOND TIME ,THE COMPUTER CONTINUES TO DELIVER FUEL TO THE INJECTORS AND FLOODS THE ENGINE. HAVE TO WAIT A COUPLE OF HOURS TO RESTART ENGINE.
FORTUNATELY I HAVE A GOOD MECHANIC AND HE ADVISED ME TO LOOK AT THE ANTI-THEFT (FLASHING LIGHT IN THE GAUGES AREA) AND SEE IF THE RED FLASHING LIGHT STAYS ON OR OFF. MY MECHANIC SAID THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS TURN THE IGNITION KEY ON AND DON'T TRY TO RE-START, JUST LEAVE IT ON THE ACCESSORIES SETTING FOR 10 MINUTES. THIS SHOULD CLEAR OUT THIS PROBLEM AND RE-SET THE ANTI-THEFT TO ITS CORRECT SETTING. HAVE NOT DONE SO YET AND I'LL FIND OUT IF THIS WORKS WHEN I GO OUT TO START MY CAR AFTER WORK TODAY.
it's the same thing as everyone else. we just need a recall from Chevy. I love Chevy but this is really a pain in the ass and unreliable that it makes me think of going foreign.
My car for whatever reason decided just not to start. It has something to do with the module not being able to read my key. I had my car up on the wrecker before it would finally start. Please Please Please if you have this problem let me know! Im trying to make GM responsible for this problem that is so common with Chevy Impalas. I think that GM needs to stand behind their faulty product and make good on it for consumers! If you have this problem a quick fix is to disconnect the positive battery cable then reconnect it.
I only had the car not starting once recently. But now the Passlock light comes on all the time while I was driving. It is very stressful knowing that the car may not start next time I need to go to work or some other places in a rush. Dealership wanted to replace the ignition cylinder, the computer, etc for over $800 and reading some of the comments here, it might not even fix the problem. There should be a recall from GM to fix this inherent design problem. May be a class action lawsuit would force them to do this.
Well I just bought this car from my boss and it was suppose to be a dependable car. Well it did have the 4 doors that my family of 5 needed, but my wife has been stranded twice now and it is more of a pain then anything.
Problem first happened when she was giving a friend of ours a ride and she allowed her to unlock the door while the car was still in drive to exit the front passenger door.The door was shut and my wife drove off, she said about 5 miles later the security light came on and stayed on.Once she turned it off it wouldn't start back up? Well I told her to not allow the doors to be opened unless it is in park and then today she had it happen again.This time car was in park, then passenger door opened , then turned off car. Went and did what she needed to came back out on wouldn't let her start the care again.
Both times it took her 15-20 mins of waiting and trying stuff to finally get it to start.Of course she told me I can take the p.o.s car and shuv it ! and I found this website and found I am not alone in the sh*t hole of a mess ! Chevy should recall these cars and fix the damn problem ! If any body has a way to fix it please contact me.
have same problems a week ago car would not start lights would not go off security light comes on now the radio locks doors would not lock husband looked on the net and found this web site i called Chevy he said that i need to go to the dealer and get a diagnosis then call him back he will then call the dealer about the problem then he would write in a a complaint he said they have to get a certain amount of complaints before they can do investigation for a recall so please start calling and complaining 1-800-222-1020 this needs to be took care of
My car thinks I am trying to steal it. It will not recognize my key. Without warning I went to start my car and nothing. Not a sound or a ping just nothing. It was pouring rain I was late for an appointment and still nothing. called CAA even he was at a loss as to why it would not start. Towed to dealership paid eighty dollars for a diagnostic to be told it was the passlock system. What's a passlock system I asked? More over it must be covered as this is not a result of lack of maintenance just luck of the draw. Much to my surprise not covered. I chose to pursue this with GM and not have it repaired immediately as the car started just fine for the mechanic. I was told about the "turn your key to accessory - wait ten minute trick and off I went. After the diagnostic the passlock warning light started to flash occasionally as I am turning off the ignition. Then as I emailed, called and kept going up one more level of management with GM for six to eight weeks the passlock light would come on and stay on as I was driving. GM refused to do any thing about it telling me if this had happened while under warranty they would have but not now. Why not, this is a wide spread problem with many makes and models of GM vehicles (as I discovered on the internet) to a system I had no choice of opting out of when I purchased my car. It is not an internal system to the operating of a vehicle and has no maintenance schedule. I was quoted a cost of $700.00 to repair the problem with no direct guarantee this would not possibly re occur. So I live with the problem. When the ten minute trick doesn't work (Which happens every 5 to 6 months I take my car to another GM dealer ship pay $80.00 for a diagnostic (since they told me this does a reset) and continue to pester GM to do something about this problem. Excessive heat seems to accelerate the occurrence rate of the problem as well as severe electrical storms. It haunts me! I am frustrated to no end that had this happened 12,000 km earlier GM would have gladly fixed the problem but now refuse rather rudely to admit the passlock system is a problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Passlock system been a problem for almost 2 years now - had ignition replaced, lasted 2 months, now will be getting a new bcm. I wrote to my US Senator and told him they should not bail out GM until GM stops making defective cars. Anyway, this is my last Chevy.
- Rick M., Burnt Hills, NY, US