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Auto Theft Prevention/Passlock disengage
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Question
I am stripping a 1999 Grand Am to use as a race car, so antitheft is not an
issue for me. Nor is using a key particularly important. What I do need to
know is if there is a way to "straightwire" a system (Nascar style) that will
start the car and bypass / remove the passlock from the system?
Hi Bradd,
First, I can't explain how to bypass this system on the Internet, nor can I tell you because I don't know who you are. I hope you understand.
Secondly, to "straight wire" this system would be very difficult. There is no special ignition key. All that you have is a $3 key blank that can be duplicated by a hardware store. There is no "Computer or resistor chip" in the key.
This system has many things tied in to make it work. This system does not just shut off the fuel pump when engaged but controls pulse to the fuel injectors.
The speedometer, the ignition lock/housing and computer are all tied together.
When a person goes to start the engine, the ignition key is inserted into the ignition lock. The lock is then rotated to START. In milliseconds when rotating the ignition lock, the computer senses the rotation of the ignition lock as being a correct mate for the ignition housing and sends the proper resistance code to the computer. The computer seeing the rotation of the ignition lock will turn off the security light in the speedometer assembly and the engine will start. This scenario is in simplistic terms.
The ignition lock housing and the ignition lock have a magnetic field. There are 10 different lock housings. The difference is the "R" code or resistance code. The magnetic field along with a hall effect switch is what sends the proper "R" code to the vehicle's computer.
This system was designed so that if the ignition lock was forcibly removed from the ignition lock housing, the magnetic field would be broken. Once the magnetic field sensing the rotation of the lock is broken, the engine will crank, but will not run.
A very common intermittent no start on this system was to have the lock lubricant from the cylinder spray throughout the housing. The fix would require removing the ignition lock cylinder from the housing with proper service methods. The grease would be cleaned from the housing and lock and the lock reinstalled. The grease would actually effect the magnetic field and the rotation of the ignition lock would not be seen.
Now, if you are going to make this a race car, I would recommend not removing any of the passlock system. If you want to start the engine without a key, then force the ignition lock to rotate by the use of a screwdriver. This GM 10-cut ignition is a very sloppy lock and one can pound a screw driver into the tumblers, use a vice grips on the screwdriver and force rotate it.
You ask about straight wiring this system. I am not playing any games here. I can tell you where the information can be found where the dealer mechanics could totally bypass the system by cutting one wire for installing remote start. This was very slip shod giving the customer between security and remote start, not both.
The GM bulliten is called "bypassing the Passlock for Remote Start." It was published May of 1999 and is called bulletin 26.
Now, you may or may not find this info, but it is the best I can do for you because I don't want everyone in the world to know that I was the one telling thieves how to bypass this system.
This is a double edge sword for me. If I were to give this information out, there would be many more passlock equipped vehicles stolen. If insured because of the ignorance of insurance personnel that think a vehicle so equipped is "Unstealable." The claim would be denied as they almost always are now. The insured might even be suspected as being a party to the theft. Unfortunately, the so-called "Forensic" expert locksmiths will write a report on the vehicle so-equipped that the vehicle had to be operated with a "proper" key. This is either ignorance or worse yet, deliberate denial of the truth.
No one should have to be put through these insurance denials because it can turn an innocent insured's life upside down. I do represent the accused in court as an expert witness. As you see I have extensive knowledge in this so-called anti-theft system.
Good luck,
Rob
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Answers by Expert:
Rob Painter, ASE, CFL, CFEI
Expertise
My background in auto theft is extensive. I have been directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft recovered vehicles. I also do insurance investigation as to how a vehicle was last operated. My clients are insurance companies and attorneys. Was featured in the A & E auto theft documentary "Stealing Wheels" July 26, 2000. Has consulted with Daimler Chrysler steering column engineers to make their steering columns harder to defeat. Holds patent # 6,039,140 for 8 different variations to protect air bags from theft.
Experience
ROB PAINTER, ASE, CFL, CFEI Forensic Vehicle Component Analyst Diplomate, Board Certified Forensic Examiner ASE Certified Auto, Collision, Med/Hvy/Duty Truck Technician Certified Forensic Locksmith Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator Certified Forensic Auto Theft Examiner Certified Auto Theft and Fraud Expert http://www.autotheftexpert.com Email-rpainter@wi.rr.com P.O. Box 190 Big Bend, WI 53103 Phone (414) 698-9696 Fax (262) 662-1352 As per federal court rules of evidence (702) (Daubert) my testimony has qualified me as: Auto Theft and Fraud Expert Forensic Vehicle Analyst Fire Origin and Cause Expert In the trial transcript of Holiday vs Progressive Insurance Company (March 12, 2002?Eugene, Oregon) with Holiday being my client-named ?the expert for experts.? BUSINESS EXPERIENCE Founder of the ?Forensic Institute of Auto Theft Analysis? (January 2002). This is the training school that will set the standards in determining the last operation of a reported stolen vehicle-burned or unburned. Much of my testing and procedures have been accepted as the guide for the forensic community. 1986 opened Auto Recovery Specialists Inc., providing exclusive repair of theft recovered and vandalized vehicles. The initial concept of the business was to return vehicles to their original shape before the theft, vandalism or fire. In 1987 bought the rights to the theft deterrent known as the ?Chicago Collar?. Duties include complete component replacement: dash, stereo system, interior, locks and coding, rebuilding steering columns, repairing and installing vehicle security system components (factory and after market), engine components, body repair, glass replacement, repair and service of air conditioning components, brake and suspension repair, and replacement, wiring harnesses etc. to return vehicle to pre-theft condition Complete reconstruction. During the past 17 years directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft-recovered and fire damaged Personally examined and rebuilt thousands of steering columns on both import and domestic vehicles Internationally acknowledged as expert in auto theft including court, consulting with insurance companies, attorneys and law enforcement. Consultant on steering columns, locks, stereo systems and vehicle security for Special Investigation Units for many large insurance carriers during the past eight years. Consulting services include but not limited to: How a vehicle was last operated (with or without keys in burned or unburned vehicles), Origin and Cause of vehicle fires, and vehicle defects. Provides services as a consultant and researcher to attorneys and insurance companies, and private industry throughout the US in cases related to vehicles. Has worked with crime prevention officers throughout the US establishing training programs designed to protect the public from becoming victims of auto theft. PATENT: 3/21/00 issued patent# 6,039,140 for 8 different variations of airbag anti-theft devices. PUBLICATIONS Currently authors articles and test reports on an ongoing basis for SIUs and the forensic/vehicle fire industry. Published author: (1,297 slide training course) Auto Theft/ Fraud Training Course) ?The Modern Forensic Approach to Auto Theft Investigation.? (January, 2001) Author: ?Variables to Be Considered In Vehicle Fire Investigation after Suppression.? (Insurance publication-November 2001) Author: ?Ford Magnesium Steering Columns and the Results to Ignition Components after a Fire?. Article for peer review from the fire and forensic community. (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM VATS.? (Article) (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM PASSLOCK TM? (Article) (November 2001) Author:? Auto Theft Investigation: Hollywood vs. Reality? (Article) (February 2001) For the John Cooke Fraud Report. Published author: (Manual) ?Forensic Vehicle Fire/ Arson and Auto Theft Investigation? (October 2000) Published author: (Article) ?Petty Claims? for the John Cooke Fraud Report (October, 1998) Published author (Manual) ?AUTO THEFT: LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN!? (1998) (Previously distributed by Barnes & Nobel) Co-authored the investigation manual, ?Surreptitious Entry & Auto Theft & Burn & the Investigator.? (1999) Authored test questions on the subject of steering columns and vehicle security for CFL designation to be given by the International Association of Investigative Locksmiths. January, 2000 Published author: (Manual) ?Saginaw Steering Columns-What Has Not Been Told? Training manual for fire investigators. (March 2000) Published (Article) ?Beyond The Lock? (May 2000) Published Author: (Article) Fraud Defense Network-August, 2000 Edition-?Melting Steering Column Tests.? http://www.fraudreport.com/index.cfm?month=08&year=2000 Published author: (Test Report) ?Burned Toyota Steering Column Testing to Determine How Last Operated?. Tool marks and procedures. (December 1999) Currently at the FBI Crime Lab in Washington DC and the US Army Crime Lab in Atlanta, GA for peer review. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Defeated the ?unstealable? Ford Securilock transponder system for a court case 10/10/00. They said it could not be done! Primary designer of a state of the art ?bait? car for a police department to catch car thieves. Worked with The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration and discovered a potential fire hazard on a vehicle and determined origin and cause of under hood fires on this type of vehicle. Featured as ?Auto Theft Expert? in the A & E auto theft documentary ?Stealing Wheels? that aired July 26, 2000. Contacted by Sears and Edelman Marketing to be a national spokesman for an anti theft device for vehicles. (November 1999) Invited to provide evaluation and consulting to steering column engineers at Daimler Chrysler Corporation in Auburn Hills, MI (10/19/99-10/22/99). The purpose of this project was to demonstrate how steering column locking mechanisms could be defeated without the use of a key and how to reinforce the columns against theft. Court Qualified as an Auto Theft Expert and my videos of defeating columns were also accepted by a Cleveland, Ohio Court in October 1999 as a valid piece of evidence. Contacted by Disney Touchstone Pictures for technical assistance in making the movie ?Gone in 60 Seconds? (March 1999) CONSULTANT FOR FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS ? Former contributor for The Insurance News Network (Auto theft and prevention) includes heading a forum for the public on how to protect their vehicles for 3+ years. ? Former editor and consultant for the public on matters involving auto theft and prevention 2000-2001 on the web at http://www.autotheft_forum.com. ? The Insurance Career Center (Auto theft and fraud). ? National Association of Investigative Specialists (Auto theft and fraud) ? Expert Find (Auto theft and fraud} TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE ? ASE (National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence) Certified in Auto: brakes, steering and suspension, engine repair, manual drive train and axles, air conditioning. Med/Heavy duty truck: gasoline engine repair, electrical/electronic components. Collision: elec.....
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