Expert: Roland Finston - 6/29/2011

Question
QUESTION: We bought this and the alarm module has already been taken out,and lost! The problem,it started to act up and not start and stay running within 24hrs.changed fuel relay,car drove for 1 week and then shut down will not start is acting like it did for first issue changed relay again did not work,coming up on scan as fuel lock-out,how do I fix with-out module??Please help!!!Thanx in Advance Angelina

ANSWER: Hi Angelina,
I don't believe the problem is the anti-theft module if you are certain that it has been taken out. Did you look for it: You have to remove the glove box (a bunch of screws around the opening) and then look for a module above the glove box opening with a 21-pin 'natural' color plug. That is the module There also could be a keyless entry module and a lamp outage module there but they have different color plugs with a different number of pins (8/8 and 5/14 pin connectors, respectively). That way you will know for sure if this problem is due to the theft module or not. The module will give you trouble if the engine starts and then dies after about 3 seconds. If the engine isn't doing that/hasn't done that then the issue is NOT the theft module at all.  If it is, then tell me that and we'll go from there. There is a theft system light on the dash that should be on or off or flashing. What is yours doing?
Exactly which scan code did you get? And exactly which relay did you replace/why? Was it the automatic shutdown relay as that powers the fuel pump and the spark coil, and the injectors and the oxygen sensors? And why did you replace it, if so?
If you don't know the code then try the ignition switch to get the code: turn the key "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light to see it begin to 'flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause, then repeat the process to be sure of an accurate flash count set. Tell the the numbers in order of appeaance.
Sorry for so many questions but you may not have an owners' manual so might not understand all the possibilities.
Roland
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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The 8/8 module,as well as the 21 pin module and a pink wire have been removed and pink wire cut???Help Please!!!!:( as well there is a 4 pin module missing???

Answer
HI ANGELINA,
Is the engine now not starting again? Let me know if that is still a problem.
I don't think any of the modules/plugs above the glove box were important so whatever plugs are not in use can be disregarded. They were for 'bella and whistles' sort of features if they were there when new. The theft module is the only one that was important, mainly because to remove it you have to do it with the engine running. Otherwise, no problem to not have that or the key fob, or the lamp outage module...
Roland