Security system won't let car start

**Rhinohuey** · 04-15-2008, 10:33 PM

I've had this happen two times now. I will try to start the car and it won't turn over at all. Then the "security" light will come on on the gauge cluster and stay on after all the other lights have gone out. The needles on the cluster will move down like they do when you start everytime you turn the key but the car but it just doesnt turn over at all. Both time I just gave up and came back like 10 minutes later and it started up no problem. Anybody know whats causing the security thing to trip? and how i make it not do that?

**jz28** · 04-15-2008, 11:13 PM

same thing happened to me about a week ago. its only happened once but wat i did is,get out close the doors lock and set the alarm and then open it back up using the keyless entry remote. it worked for me. i dont know wat caused it. hopefully that will help if it happens again.

**JoshieDoom** · 04-16-2008, 02:06 AM

Might be a bad key reading. Ive had this happen a couple of times. Make sure the resistor is clean. You could possible dip the key in alcohol and run it in and out a few times in the ignition.

**0rion** · 04-16-2008, 03:09 AM

Here ya go.

Vats sticky

**third_shift|studios** · 04-16-2008, 05:38 AM

Originally Posted by JoshieDoom

Might be a bad key reading. Ive had this happen a couple of times. Make sure the resistor is clean. You could possible dip the key in alcohol and run it in and out a few times in the ignition.

bingo.

**Rhinohuey** · 04-16-2008, 11:03 AM

That must have been it. I thought about it the second time that it happened and just tried wiping the resistor off with my shirt. I still didn't work right away and "security" light stayed on, but after like 5 or 10 minutes of waiting it worked.

**Mike's TA** · 04-16-2008, 02:40 PM

I had the same problem, GM said that these keys can loose there resistance over time. Especially if they're not GM keys, but of course they will say that to get you to by genuine GM parts.

**Method** · 04-16-2008, 03:00 PM

Stupid ohms :P

**99Sevan** · 04-16-2008, 07:30 PM

yea it is probably the resistor - GM used 12 different resistors in the keys - if it starts going out there are two things you can do - if you are somewhat knowledgeable about electronics just go in and put the correct resistor in your VATS wiring to bypass the key resistor and if you are not you can go to a car audio shop and have them do it.

**99Sevan** · 04-16-2008, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Method

Stupid ohms :P

just be glad you dont drive a chrysler - haha

**xzaero0** · 04-17-2008, 09:08 AM

The security module went out on my TA a year or so ago. The security light wouldnt shut off. The dealership was puzzled cause the car isnt supposed to start when its on. The car thinks its being stolen, thats why it wont start. Also the same thing happened to a friend of mine who has a 2000 Firebird.

**ls1speedster** · 04-20-2008, 07:24 PM

mine had done this to me quit a bit...
died on me one time and i pushed it three blocks to an auto shop....

they replaced the starter and it hasnt happened since....seems wierd to be the started but i thought it was a bad key and or security

**TransAmlover90** · 04-22-2008, 12:05 PM

This happened to my old 1994 Trans Am. I was late to going to a prom and i decided to jump into the bird and race over there, and as soon as i put the key in the ignition hte damn security light came on. I tried pushing the thing up the hill and i got it halfway down the other side but i couldn't get in the car fast enough. So i just left it there. When i got back from the prom i was really pissed and decided to try it again. Still didnt work. Then i pushed the reset button on the odometer and it worked again. that might work

**brynnda** · 04-22-2008, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by xzaero0

The security module went out on my TA a year or so ago. The security light wouldnt shut off. The dealership was puzzled cause the car isnt supposed to start when its on. The car thinks its being stolen, thats why it wont start. Also the same thing happened to a friend of mine who has a 2000 Firebird.

orly? mines been on for 3 months.... no probs.. i know i need to fix it though, when im in a hurry will be the day she decides she not gonna start.

**xzaero0** · 04-22-2008, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by brynnda

orly? mines been on for 3 months.... no probs.. i know i need to fix it though, when im in a hurry will be the day she decides she not gonna start.

I think mine was on for about 2 months before I got mine fixxed.

**lawood** · 04-23-2008, 07:48 PM

my security light stays on, it starts fine. what do you do to fix it?

**brynnda** · 04-24-2008, 07:44 AM

you can start clean the key were the "chip" is, see if that works, if not you may have to replace the ingnition

**0rion** · 04-24-2008, 10:08 AM

or
VATS sticky

**1MileCrash** · 04-24-2008, 10:36 AM

apparently my car is being a tad finicky...it won't start with the door open and the security light is on and there is the fast paced clicking from under the dash and the seatbelt light comes on and stays on...stuff along those lines.

we thought bad battery but it turned out that the battery is perfectly fine. vats issue?

**whiteta** · 04-26-2008, 09:08 AM

all you have to do is shut your doors lock the car with your remote and unlock it with the key. It works for me every time. Dont know why it does it but it works that way.