Security like stays on when running car, how do I fix

Tiny
MR_FXST
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
  • 98,000 MILES
I bought a 1995 firebird 3.4l automatic. I noticed the vats connection for the key was disconnected so I re-connected it but security lights on when running. No trouble starting and running car. I have read the horror stories about the vats system. The light start on continuously does not blink. The car starts weather the vats key cable connected or not same with light
Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 7:35 PM

32 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I posted a trouble for you most of the time the wire to the key cylider breaks inside the insulation.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
MR_FXST
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
The car starts and runs fine took on small trips of 150 miles, if the vats cable was brake would not the car not start?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 8:03 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Depending on the break it could start I posted a trouble for your symptoms. ALso your theft module is to the right of your radio in the dash. Let me know what you find and we can go from there and I can also get you more info if needed.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 8:33 PM
Tiny
MR_FXST
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
I have the original key tumbler with wires cut, I have new one installed with the 2 wires in orange sleeve in place and with the same resister value. Now I have 4 keys that start the car. I dont believe it is in the keys or the wire. I will check the TDM thanx
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 8:49 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Follow the trouble tree I posted lets go from there. Keep me posted.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 9:11 PM
Tiny
MR_FXST
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
I disconected the TDM. I let the car run for 5 minutes. The security stayed on and did not blink. The grounds are good as fasr as I could tell. How do I check what the resistance shout be at the TDM. Or how can I tell what it is looking for? I checked every fuse in car and they were good. The cable wires(2 white ones) measured good with the key in. There is a 5 prong connector by the headlight switch and has nothing plugged into it. Looks like there was though. Here is a pic of it. What is it for
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 16th, 2012 AT 7:02 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
It says to just unplug the theft module and turn the key to the run position then see if the light is on?If it is then there is short somewhere to the security light. Are you sure you unplugged the correct module?Also are sure someone didnt bypass that module at some point?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 16th, 2012 AT 7:39 PM
Tiny
MR_FXST
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
The tdm was behind the glove box and I checked it both with the car on and off. Still security light on. Yes I think that someone has modified it but where? The white wires are not cut and shows right resistance, tdm looks like it was never touched, the car starts and runs with wite wires attached or disconnected. Car does run a little ruff so I check the injector and they looked fine. The plugs I have to replace.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 16th, 2012 AT 9:06 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Theres a theft deterrent relay mounted to the right side of the sir bracket see if the wires to it have been cut/tapped into etc.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 16th, 2012 AT 9:17 PM
Tiny
MR_FXST
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
What is a sir bracket? And where is it
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 2:09 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
To the right of the glove box. Also the sir bracket is the support for the air bag.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 2:18 AM
Tiny
MR_FXST
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
I removed the relay and all 5 wires are attached and untapered with. I traced the wires as far as I could and looked like they have not been tampered with
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Does it start with the relay unplugged?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
There should be a brown wire a yellow wire with a black stripe a yellow wire and a purple wire going to it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 8:45 PM
Tiny
MR_FXST
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Yes those are colors and car did not start
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 9:19 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
It has to be modified somewhere because the theft module supplies the ground trigger for the theft relay. If the theft module is unplugged then the relay wont get the ground for the starter to work.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
MR_FXST
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Yes I am sure of that but if not at relay, wires from key, at TDM or at the injectors where else could it be?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 9:32 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
If the starter works with the theft module unplugged and the starter is working the relay is getting ground trigger from somewhere.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 9:37 PM
Tiny
MR_FXST
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
The looks like a dealer problem then. Looks like it is beyond you and i. Thanks anyway
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 9:41 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Alright if you want to call it quits then please know let me know what you find.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 9:50 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Security Content