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Auto Theft Prevention/Passlock with remote start

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Expert: - 4/1/2009


Question
Hi Rob, I read your explanation of Passlock on the web, very impressive.  I have a 2002 Grand Am with remote start installed. Under normal circumstances (no remote start installed) if a passlock theft deterrent system was to fail it would make the car unable to start.  Replacement of the lock cylinder is sometimes needed to fix the problem.  I would like to know if I would be able to start my car using the remote starting feature if I had a passlock system failure since the installed bypass module temporarily disables the passlock when remote starting is active.  Thank you in advance for your reply.

Answer
Hi,

Thank you for your compliments.

If the PASSLOCK fails, in theory the engine will not start, but that is in theory and real life is quite different. There are times the system will fail and the computer no longer needs to see the rotation of the lock and the engine will in fact start. Commonly when this happens, the security light will be illuminated steady when driving down the road.

Replacement of the lock cylinder will be needed if the lock falls apart internally, which does happen.

The ignition lock is sloppy from the factory and to keep from getting too technical, this lock is made where the wafers (tumblers) are in half cuts. In other words, a key with the exact cuts is not needed and only one close in cuts. After time due to wear, the lock will rotate without the use of a key at all, there by making the PASSLOCK ineffective.

There will be no damage from force or tampering in this situation, however if an insurance expert gives an opinion about a vehicle so-equipped that was reported stolen, the claim will be denied.

The reason being that locksmiths are only called out to repair locks that won't rotate. If the lock rotates without a key, locksmiths are never called because the lock is not broken. This is why locksmiths serving as experts for insurance companies on these types of vehicles when reported stolen in order to state the car wasn't stolen, should not be allowed to opine on these matters.

The most common intermittent problem I have run across in which a vehicle so-equipped does not start has been because of the lubricant in the lock cylinder. The ignition lock plug rotates in the housing and will spew grease between the plug and the housing, there by blocking the magnetic field. The correction is to remove the lock, spray the lock with brake cleaner and clean the housing and reinstall the lock.

One of my detractors stated he never saw such a problem and that I did not know what I was talking about. To him, I feel he has lead a sheltered life and has obviously not been involved in the number of PASSLOCK vehicles I have.


The PASSLOCK predecessor was the VATS. It had a resistor chip in the key. Here the resistance is built in the ignition lock housing and is known as an "R" code. There are 10 different housings with different resistor values. Changing the lock plug has no effect on this system. Changing the housing does, at which time, you need to go through the 30 minute reprogramming procedure.

As for your question, the answer is no. The bypass is only set up for remote start mode via the module. If wired correctly, there is also another problem in which, the engine would stall when depressing the service brake.

There is one caveat here though. If wired for remote start by a dealer (Slip shod)as per bulletin #26, May 1999 "How to bypass PASSLOCK for Remote Start", the driver only had a choice in which the vehicle had remote start or PASSLOCK security, not both.

This was bypassed in such a way that it was required if toggled for the remote start, the security light was illuminated while driving. A module was not used in this application.

I hope I answered your question fully. If you like the answer please give me a rating.

Thanks,

Rob

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Rob Painter, ASE, CFL, CFEI

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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.

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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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