1999 Chevy Suburban security light

Tiny
KETURAH
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 163,000 MILES
We purchased this vehicle used and have been pleased except for one thing. At times the security light would blink when we tried to start it, and if the light was blinking it would NOT start. We took it to a Chevrolet dealership for service and they said the security system was not original but after market. We had the system removed. The car started fine for a long time, then all of a sudden it has started doing the same thing again, intermittently. All you can do is wait until the security light stops blinking, 5-10 minutes, then it starts fine. Could this be due to a sensor? It even refuses to start sometimes first thing in the morning.
Sunday, April 5th, 2009 AT 3:27 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,136 POSTS
Does the key have a transistor in it?
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Sunday, April 5th, 2009 AT 5:47 PM
Tiny
KETURAH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
No it does not.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2009 AT 8:19 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi:
If it is a factory system, there are sensors in the key and the steering column that match each other. If the wrong key is used, a security light will flash and the system will shut down the engine.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2009 AT 9:11 AM
Tiny
KETURAH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I took the key to my Chevy service department and asked if it had a transistor and was told no, it did not have one.

What else could the problem be? I use the same key all the time and usually it starts but occasionally, and at unpredictable and inconvenient times, it will not. I still suspect a bad sensor. Is this a possibility?

It always starts after a short wait, so it is a matter of inconvenience, plus I wonder if there will come a time when it will not start at all. We live in a very remote area and this could be a huge problem.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2009 AT 9:17 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,136 POSTS
If the security light is flashing, the system is shuting down the vehicle. My concern is that one time, it may not start for you, and based on where you live, that doesn't sound good.

As far as a sensor, if the security light is flashing, then all sensors are doing what they are designed to do, shut down the vehicle. I will tell you that for testing of the security system, you need to go to a dealer. They will have the proper test equipment, others won't.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2009 AT 9:30 AM

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