Expert: INSTALLSUPPORT - 8/19/2007

Question
QUESTION: my  theft deterrent light on top of the dash isnt flashing.it just stays on.the car wont start ,either.no interior lights,but my headlights work.my windshield wipers work,but they are slow.someone suggested my theft deterrent system needs to be reset.HELP!

ANSWER: It appears you've reset the VATS/PASSLOCK.
The car does not recognise the chip in the ignition
key anylonger. You can try to put the key
in the ignition, turn to the on position & wait at
least 10 mins like that.

In some cases, the VATS (GM'S VEHICLE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM)
will re learn the code this way, and will then
allow the restart. But if this does not work,
then you can simply tow it to any GM vehicle dealer
to have the service department re code it.

Good luck I hope method 1 does the trick!

ALARMTEK
NOPASSLOCK.com

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

QUESTION: most of the questions i've read,the anti theft light is blinking when it needs to be reset.my light since it hasnt stared just stays on.i've tried the turn to on position and wait 15 minutes thing,but it didnt work.do pontiac's come with the reset switch under the dash or does it sound like i need a new batttery.whats the average cost for a gm dealer to reset a key or whatever they do to fix the problem.on a tight budget.
ANSWER: Nope, no factory reset button I am afraid.
If it was aftermarket it would be:

Put the key in the ignition, and turn forward
all the way just before cranking. Then within
5 seconds, locate, press and hold in the
valet/overide button, found under the
dash area, (push button, spring loaded)
until the installed LED (the blinking light)
in your dash area goes on solid,
and the siren chirps once.

(Your valet switch might be the toggle
(on/off) type. in this case, key on,
flip switch in opposite direction,
then turn the key off.)

This should reset the alarm, and reset
the grounded relay on the starter wire,
allowing you to start the engine.

At this point, the only thing working would
be the keyless entry from the alarm,
if it came equipped that way.

Just Repeat these steps to place it
back to usable armed mode.
You may get 2 chirps, confirming it,
and the lights may flash twice as well.

Wish it was going to be that easy for you,
but I am leaning towards a passlock issue here.

Best I can do for ya at this point.

Good luck.

A.

GM will probably run around 70.00 for a service/reset.

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

QUESTION: any particular reason my LED light for my theft system stays on(not flashing,stays on)? its factory installed on a pontiac grand prix 2005.i'm getting instructions to reset an aftermarket alarm unless i'm reading it wrong.the car wont start,the LED light stays on,and the basic turn the key to on stuff doesnt work.i noticed the night before my headlights got dim when i rolled the windows down.is the LED light staying on  because my battery needs to be replaced?is there a website that explains the VATS SYSTEM?HELP!!!
ANSWER: If it were an aftermarket alarm,
the LED would be flashing or blinking,
but not on solid.

(Look under the dash area for a button or, a toggle
switch. When you locate it, turn on the ignition
key, press and hold in the button (little
spring loaded micro button, red or black possibly)
until the alarm chirps 1 time. This should over ride
the system, and only the keyless entry part,
if installed, would still be operating.
The LED (light emiting diode) light in the dash
should also go on solid. This is overide.
car would start now.)

If it's the factory
alarm, you need GM to reset it.

It's not a siren in there is it?
GM's is a car horn honk and
headlights flashing system.
Usually the key in the drivers side
door, turned left, then right would
disarm the factory system.

If no joy that way,
www.passlock2.com shows how to circument
the anti-theft for remote starter applications
but is easilly modified to do it permanantly.

But the "resetting" it is something that needs a GM
diagnostic machine to reset the passlock codes.

I'm just the messenger. Please get mad
at GM, not me.

A.

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

QUESTION: totally confused.your'e giving me instructions to turn the LED light back to solid.its on solid now.is it possible the battery needs to be replaced.thats not being answered.not getting mad at,i'm just all thumbs when it comes to cars.
ANSWER: No the battery is fine. The charging system is fine.
I am attempting to give you both options David.
I am not there, but if I was, I would want to
determine if it's the CHEVY system giving you
this trouble, or an after market alarm system.

Now, is there a siren as part of this mix or not?
Is it parking lights that flash when the system is
going off, or headlights and car horn? Or is
it simply that NOTHING is powering up at all?

Just trying to help here...

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

QUESTION: the headlights  come on,but they are dim.the windshield wipers work,but they are slow.no interior lights at all,except the LED theft deterrent light that wont go out on the dash by the windshield.this is a factory installed 2005 grand prix theft deterrent system.when i try to start it,you can hear a humming noise for about 2 seconds,then it goes away.the wipers are slower today than they were yesterday.and the lights are dimmer.when i was approaching my car friday night,i hit my keyless entry remote and it didnt work.when i got to the car,i noticed my LED light wasnt flashing,it was "solid."i got in the car with the key and tried to start it and nothing happened.what is going on?

Answer
I honestly don't know if it's not a passlock issue.
I am not a GM tech or mechanic. I bypass OEM system
to do remote start in cars. Not repair or advise
on OEM factory system malfunctions.

I suggest again, that it needs to be inspected by GM to diagnose your issues David.

Don't know what else I can advise you on from my desk
perspective. I can't just inspect it like a local
shop can first hand.

Please spend a couple of dollars and have them
code read it out at least.

A.