Stereo & Electronics - Tiny chip in the ignition key.....problems?

Suddenly my car won't start.......I've checked everything.....

A friend told me she had the exact same problem with her Grand Am and it turned out the key which had that anti-theft chip in it needed to be replaced. Is this true? And if so is there any way to bi-pass this?

Try cleaning it with some Hydrogen Peroxide or similar stuff....I don't think u can bypass this without major removal's of stuff. [something like that] :)

Won't turn over at all? Security light staying on? Will it start after waiting a few minues? Try cleaning the key first. You can bypass it with a resistor that matches the key pelet value, or turn it off with tuning. Completely dead? Make sure it's not just the battery that took a dump - it's that time of year.

well you need to first determine if the charging system is not at fault.....i wouldnt know without having a description....does it not try and turn over at all? do you have power to all accessorys but it still wont start? does it make a clicking noise? if it just doesnt do anythign but you still have power and the charging system is good, then you want to check all your fuses, it can be as simple as a blown fuse, it would be the anittheft but not common. if you want to bypass that you can pull the underdash below the steering column and bypass the vats. there are alot of things you can check relativly easy

The dealer can make you keys with the correct resistor in the key if that turns out to be the problem. Or like 2001NBM said, tune out the VAT function.

:judge: if its the chip you have to bypass the bcm, but your security light will come on after that.

can you be a little more specific when you say it wont start?
is the security light on?
is the motor turning over at all?
does the battery have a good charge?

Thanks for the replys...

Yeah the car just won't start....everything comes on....stereo...my gauges start moving...hell the ringing noise that happens when you put the key in even starts up....but when you turn the key all the way.....nothing...I've checked the battery.....it's fine....the car just won't start. And the weird thing about it....I literally had the car on 5 minutes before......I cleaned out the garage and put the car there to see if I had enough room got out for 5 minutes....got back in...and this happend. It's crazy.

sounds like the VATS to me...i think im gonna tune mine out cause it annoying the hell out of me. Murphy seems to at work with that damn thing too...just as I'm late leaving for work the security light will come on and not start. Wait 3mins and it will start up just fine

So if the security light comes on then that's an indication that the key could be messed up?

I hooked up a test light to the starter...the positive is good...the ground is good....I can't reach where the ingnition plug is to test that...but I checked all the fuses and relays.....could it be the starter or solenoid? The car is absolutely not turning over at all...the starter is not engaged at all...the relay clicks.....seems like it's getting power....I swapped the starter and ignition relays to see if I could get the starter to turn on.....so I think they're all good...the car is just not turning over.....

Is there a starter solenoid for these motors? And if so where is it?

So if the security light comes on then that's an indication that the key could be messed up?

yes indeed

Well the security light is amber. I thought I read that if it is red, then that is the problem.

Another idea that was thrown at me, was the Neautral Safety Switch. A buddy also sent this:
First jump the starter relay pins 80/87 WITH THE IGNITION OFF, there is a little diagram on the relay and the pins are diagonal - thats why it doesnt matter which way the relay is plugged in, and make sure the starter works.

I will try that as well.

i had the same problem, it cost $45 for a new key at the dealer, and i haven't had a problem since.

Im having the same problem right now, and im 99% sure its the solenoid. as a matter of fact I found this thred cause Im looking for a starter. :bang:

Thanks for the replys...

Yeah the car just won't start....everything comes on....stereo...my gauges start moving...hell the ringing noise that happens when you put the key in even starts up....but when you turn the key all the way.....nothing...I've checked the battery.....it's fine....the car just won't start. And the weird thing about it....I literally had the car on 5 minutes before......I cleaned out the garage and put the car there to see if I had enough room got out for 5 minutes....got back in...and this happend. It's crazy.

My Camaro just did that. It's your VATS system. Sounds like the sensor in the ignition went out(I tried both keys and both had no luck starting the car). I turned off my VATS, put the key to the "ON" position and then jumped the relay. Now I have a switch so I don't have to pop the hood all the time.

Fix is
1. Take it to the dealer and get it fixed.
2. Find the resistance of the chip in the key, then add a resister inline down at the bottom of the steering column and never worry about it again(is what I'm doing once the Chevy dealership gets in more inline clips so a resister can be added).

Im having the same problem right now, and im 99% sure its the solenoid. as a matter of fact I found this thred cause Im looking for a starter. :bang:



Where is the starter solenoid located on these cars?

Also, everyone keeps saying jump the relay. So, I pull the starter relay out, and touch pins 80 and 87 on the starter relay, and the starter should work right? Assumeing the starter solenoid is not bad.

Please let us know if you fix this problem. I have the same problem in my 99 ta. It just started doing this monday. You turn the key and everything (lights, ect...) comes on like normal, just won't start. no clicking or anything that is associated with a bad starter. I am sure it is not the key because it does this even with my spare set that I have never used until now. The car will start after few trys. This does not happen every time I try to start the car, but it does happen at least once a day. I am taking mine to the dealer unless somebody finds out whats going on first here. I will let everybody know what they say. I was starting to think it might have something to do with clutch but I am not sure. is the alpha male stick or auto.

Also, everyone keeps saying jump the relay. So, I pull the starter relay out, and touch pins 80 and 87 on the starter relay, and the starter should work right? Assumeing the starter solenoid is not bad.


I don't know the numbers..but if you're standing at the front of your car the relay is like this...

Windshield

X _
_ X

Front of the car

You want to cross the 'X' locations with a paperclip or anything conductive. I wired up a switch for now until that clip comes in. Oh, and just FYI, my car is an auto. You 6 speed guys...this has really gotta suck :(

it sounds like the exact problem i had a few months ago. inside your ignition tumbler there is a little wire that breaks and causes the security system to keep the car from starting. you will have to go to the STEALERSHIP and have them give you a new ignition tumbler.it comes with a new key. they will need your VIN#. then you will have to change it and use ONLY the new key.your other ignition key will be useless. i hope this helps.good luck.

Where is the starter solenoid located on these cars?


its on the starter

you guy you dont have to do any thing but go to the dealership tell tem to get the resistor number off your key, it should be from 1-15 when you get it there is a amount of ohm's off each one i have them written down somewhere ill post them later...
anyway it will just be a connector under the knee bolter (plastic under the steering colum) one there there is a orange cable you got to radio shack buy a resistor for 1.99 and when you disconnect the orange and purple connector loop the resistor around...this way the BCM(body control module) always things that pellet is in from your key, and this way you can get a key cut anywhere and it will think that since your resistor is already in its ok to start.

it sounds alot harder than it really is ill get the resistor chart later with the pics as well

You guys do realize that a lot of you say you had the "Exact Same Problem" but your fix for the issue is different then everyone else's? lol

:bang:

If the security light is staying on try bypassing VATS with a resistor. Measure the resistance on your key then visit radio shack. This is for earlier cars but principle is the same: http://shbox.com/1/vats_bypass.jpg

Opps, here's the pelet values and how to obtain it: http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#pass_key

Use a multimeter to test the key chip, then go to radioshack and find that value resitor. Under your dash there is a pair of wires that comes from the steering column to a plug. Unplug the plug and put the resistor in there (on the car side, not the steering wheel side). You will never have to worry about that key chip again and if you wanted you could go to wal-mart and get a key made that will work. The resistor method will NOT set off the "Security" light either, it'll act just like it use to.. :)

Well, update, we got it fixed! When we jumped the pin, the starter worked, so we knew it was either the VATS, Clutch safety, or the BCM. Did the Vats resistor bypass and behold the car started! Thanks for everyones help!