Anti theft system

Tiny
JOHNCOLEBAU
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 4 CYL
Can I by-pass the anti theft on my car?
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 AT 12:43 AM

31 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
No, it uses a pass-lock sensor built right into the ignition key and tumbler.

The most common failure is the pass-lock sensor itself and I can give you a way to bypass that but the rest of the system must remain operational.

Here is how you can bypass the sensor:

Go buy a 2.2k (2200 ohm) ohm resistor at an electronics store. Go to radio shack and just get one as close to that as you can. Remove the covers on the steering column and locate three small wires at the lock cylinder. Cut the yellow wire and the orange/black wire or on some vehicles, it is the yellow and black wires. Solder the resistor between those wires. Tape it up and put the covers back on and follow this relearn procedure. If this does not work you have a wiring problem in the steering column.
Thirty Minute Re-Learn Procedure
1. Turn on the ignition, with the engine off.
2. Attempt to start the engine, then release the key to on (vehicle will not start).
3. Observe the security telltale, after approximately ten minutes the telltale will turn off.
4. Turn off the ignition, and wait five seconds.
5. Repeat steps one through four two more times for a total of three cycles/thirty minutes ( the vehicle is now ready to relearn the pass-lockâ sensor data code and/or passwords on the next ignition switch transition from off to crank).
Important:
The vehicle learns the pass-lockâ sensor data code and/or password on the next ignition switch transition from off to crank. You must turn the ignition off before attempting to start the vehicle.
6. Start the engine (the vehicle has now learned the pass-lockâ sensor data code and/or password).
7. With a scan tool, clear any DTCs if desired (history DTCs will self clear after one hundred ignition cycles).
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 AT 2:42 AM
Tiny
PAMKOJETIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
Electrical problem
1996 Pontiac Sunfire 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic? Miles

We have a sunfire that the anti theft system keeps locking up and leaves me stranded. Is there a way to by-pass the system. This is our only vehicle and due to the fact that I am battling breast cancer and my hubby just had major back surgery we cant afford to put it into the shop. Please help with an answer. I do have some one who can work on the car but he doesnt have the knowledge for this problem.
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,878 POSTS
I would just reset the system. Remove the negative battery cable and turn the ignition on, then reconnect the battery and the system will reset here is a guide that can help as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PAMKOJETIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
That worked perfect thanks for the tip, I love this site.
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,878 POSTS
Please use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Tell a friend please.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BASSPLAYER10033
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
How do I bypass a factory theft system in my car? It won't start.
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
The entire system cannot be bypassed anyway. The key sensor can be bypassed but unless that is where the problem was. It won't help. The rest of the system has to be operational.
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STADLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 200,000 MILES
How do I bypass the anti theft switch? Car starts but runs only for 15 30 seconds and anti theft lite comes on and shuts car off. Very frustrating
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
You cannot bypass the system. It needs to be operational and you need a Tech2 scan tool to be able to diagnose the problem.
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KIMCCLEN
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Mines needed the passlock sensor, which was failling. Its in the ignition switch. With the resistor is built in. The sensor wasnt communicating with the resistor hendering the info to the module, shutting down the car. The part is 75 at partsgeek. Com. Or the resistor could be failing. Your key probably wouldnt have a chip. BUT if it does, look at youtube video nerdboytv and go from there.
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
Please don't confuse the poster. This car has a Passlock system that doesn't use a resister or a key chip.
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KIMCCLEN
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Ok, if it has the passlock system, then a passlock sensor COULD BE replaced then. Bypass passlock sensor @ autozone, oreilly, partsgeek. I said probably wouldnt have a chip also, read expert.
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
I'll tell you again. This system uses no chip, no resister, and I'll bet you have no idea how to bypass this sensor. This system isn't shutting down at initial start up as an improper Passlock code would do so it needs to be diagnosed as first posted and stop confusing the poster with misinformation.
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEROME UPSHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 141,149 MILES
I chipped out the ignition cylinder tried to start the car and it now it wont start. I am going to add a key style toggle switch will I need to bypass the anti theft system if so how?
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
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You cannot do that. The immobilizer is engineered right into the operating system and cannot be eliminated.
Replace the lock with its correct components.
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRANDY FULLER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have a 1997 sunfire the starter wants to keep running after the car is started and when u unhook the battery to turn the car off it quits but with the key in the off position u can hook the battery back up and the starter will constantly turn trying to start the car. I tried to bypass all that and put a toggle just on the starter and it would start and work right for bout five secs then the theft system would come on snd shut the car off. Can u please tell me how to fix this I have already burnt up two starters trying to fix it.
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
If you need help with something, please start a new question of your own. This one belongs to someone else.
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TINOBLUE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 4 CYL
Is there any way to bypass theft system
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
No, if the system is factory.
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Monday, September 11th, 2017 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN'SSISTER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
My husband was working on the car, and put the key in there, turned to on, and moved the wheels. Guess who left it in the on position and activated the Passlock? That lil rascal cuts the fuel off to the engine, if it gets activated, and boy, is it ever activated. Car was working fine, until he did that. I let him do the brakes, and. Whoo boy. When my brother was alive, he was a Master Certified Mechanic, and he taught me a lot about cars. So I tried the following. 1) Checked fuses ( ok) 2) Checked fuel pump( ok) 3) checked gas filter(ok) 4) poured a small amount of fuel into throttle body, and it DID start, but cut out immediately, which is when I knew the Passlock was up-n-at-em (rolls eyes). Then I tried the following.1) opened door with remote, locked car door while open, closed door, opened door with key 2) put key in ignition, turned it to on position, left it for 10 mins, turned it off, and repeated process 2 more times. THEN tried it for a longer period. Nothing worked, and i've already replaced a functioning fuel pump, AND the gas filter. Any ideas, before I wool the head straight off my husband for leaving the key in the ignition in the first place? And NO, no fuel lines were damaged, while the car was up on the jack - I checked. My brother would be either laughing at all of this, or cursing up a blue streak. I'm heading towards the blue streak myself.
I also ran the computer diagnos on it, and no codes came up. Starting motor is working fine. Battery is fine as well. My brother left me all his Snap-on and Ingersoll Rand tools( let's just say I have 4 full chests of tools) so i'm ready to haul the darn thing apart, i'm so frustrated. If I knew how to disable the Passlock, I would. Grrrrr. I let HIM at the car, because he likes to tinker with it, and I was never fond of beating a tire off the car with a 10 lb sledgehammer, because the lug nuts were seized up( I can do it, just don't like it). Your answer just may save him from getting a strip torn off his hide, verbally :D
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Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 6:03 PM (Merged)

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