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Auto Theft Prevention/2001 Silverado P/U Diesel

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Expert: - 7/21/2011


Question
QUESTION: I have this truck, and have a "Security" light on at all times. Their are NO other symptoms, no codes in the BCM current / or History. The issue again, is only the "Security" message.
I silver soldered a 2.2 K Resistor at (across) the Column base to omit VATS "feature" altogether. (upstream key and all)
The VATS Status says "monitor" the passkey "value" says: 2.35 volts and the code recognized is: "5". Again, the issue is ONLY a light. I can go into an "output" Menu with a GM Tech-2 Scanner and turn the "Security" message on / off. If my understanding is correct, the 2.2 K resistor renders the key / wiring / and cylinder matter academic. I am having doubt about the resistor value (2.2 K) as I have "keyed on" (or "learned") for 10 minutes 9 times ! Their are once again .... NO BCM Codes what so ever. Their is no option with a TECH-2 (so far as I can see) to "shut off" the VATS. Why won't the VTD status say: "NORMAL" (learned)
How would one find out the EXACT resistor parameter in it's original "form" ? With 268 K on this Truck, I'd just like it "OUT". (Light)
Your input is appr.  :-)

ANSWER: Hello,

To be technically correct, you don't have VATS. You have PASSLOCK. You have bypassed the PASSLOCK s you stated, however you could have had the same results by googling "GM Bulletin 26 May of 1999" and cutting the yellow passlock wire and not installing the switch.

These systems are junk and offer no security. As you know, unlike the GM VATS, there is no resistor in the key and the "R" code is set up for one of 10 different lock housings.
Security is only effective if someone knocks the lock out of the housing. Otherwise if the lock can be rotated in any way, the system is defeated.

It's a cheezy 9 wafer lock with very sloppy tolerances new and after time, the ignition lock will rotate without a key at all. My technical term for PASSLOCK--Junk!

I do not understand your purpose in bypassing it. These are not like the problematic VATS. There is no point. System rarely fails.
Well here is the bad news--you are trying to be more technical than me and I would not go to the effort you did and like I said--Why?
The light is on because it is telling you there is a problem with the system and that it is not working. I do not know why there are no codes, but even if you look in your owner's manual, it will state that if the light is on steady, the passlock is not functioning correctly.
I do not know of a way to bypass PASSLOCK in which the light won't stay on steady. Never bypassed one just to do it, other than how to demonsrate by cutting the yellow wire which would leave the light on steady.

I would recommend you install a starter disable to prevent the truck from being stolen and make sure you hide the switch.

Good luck!

http://www.autotheftxpert.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Quote: Well here is the bad news--you are trying to be more technical than me and I would not go to the effort you did and like I said--Why?

"In an effort to get the light off" *I agree with all you say 100%, but for all it's life (386,000 miles)it has been fine ... (It still is except for this).

So, the "why" is their must be a reason! I got another Column, this one learned a code "5", I observed a "normal decision" on the tech-2 menu. Alas, once learned (REPEATEDLY) THEN I started the truck, *when started*...the message changes to "monitoring passkey"  WHY? (where did: "normal decision" go). :-) "LOL". 5u3ht

Looks like a new BCM's in order to start with ... "sigh". Like you said
"JUNK". *** YOUR TIME GREATLY APPR. Sir !!***

Answer
Hello,

Thanks for the rating. Believe me, if I knew how to get the light off when bypassed, I would tell you. It has nothing to do with keeping this "secret" from thieves. Don't care! Have told people how to bypass the factory junk for years.
If I know it, a thief knows it, simple as that.
As I said, you have gone much farther than I would of in bypassing this system. Much farther than any thief would go. the thief goes the path of least resistance (time).
ow, there are some transponder systems that can be technical, but very easy to bypass.

When everyone said the Ford Securilock back in 2000 was impossible to defeat-(i.e. Ford techs, forensic locksmiths from IAIL that will opine on the lock, but don't have a clue as to what a thief would do, I studied a wiring schematic, came up with a theory and defeated with one wire. I shared the process with these locksmiths. They defeated the system (never gave me any credit and they are too stupid to think like a thief). Of course Ford techs will still say impossible because they believe what Ford tells them.
I have defeated many of the "unstealable" anti-theft systems because I think like a thief and not a locksmith who might be able to duplicate a key. Kind of like a robot that operates on instructions.
My background is in the repair of more than 10,000 theft recoveries.
As I said though, I don't understand what the purpose is in bypassing. Just put it back the way it was. 3 times you repeat the 10 minute cycle to reset once everything is back together without all the soldering.
With the mikes on it, I would suggest try removing the key in the ON position. If it comes out, this can be driven off without a key. Please put a starter interrupt in it. Older vehicles are stolen all the time. Your truck parts are interchangable for many years.

Good luck!

http://www.autotheftexpert.com

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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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