Hi everyone sorry i'm new so have patience :) I have browsed most all the threads to see if other people have the same problem I have and notice that people do except for one slight difference.

In April, my security light came on for about 10 minutes while I was driving, but no problems...

Since then (about 5 times now), my car just hasn't started at all at completely random times - meaning no crank/turn - no nothing - except the battery works fine - lights, radio, AC, etc... I have tried to cross the battery and starter with a slimjim and had someone try to turn the car - then it tries to turn but won't let it.

Of course all 5 times I have had it towed, and after it gets off the truck EVERY SINGLE time it has worked fine immediately with no problems whatsoever.

I thought it might be that the security system shut down and then something got dislodged on the tow truck allowing it to work. Since reading about leaving it on for 10 minutes, I haven't had the problem. But I know it will happen again!

Has anyone had the same problem (with the car not making ANY noise when you try and turn it, then later after it gets towed it works fine?) The problem, like other people have had, never gets looked at by a mechanic because the car starts fine when they see it!!!

Anyone have the same problems? Ideas or help would be so greatly appreciated!!!

The Alero has the Passlock VATS system. As long as the relearn is working you may just have to deal with the problem. The key lock cylinders on Aleros are flaky. It is the transponder device once the key is inserted that sends a code to the body control module (BCM) so you can start it.

Out of the blue ours acts up about twice a year and we will get the security light. We just run the 10 minute relearn and it works for awhile. Proper corrective action may require getting the key cylinder replaced or getting the car scanned for body control module codes at a GM dealer.

Welcome to AF.

Thanks, bnaylor!

I'll have to try and deal with it and see if the security light comes on next time. Appreciate the advice, this is great forum!

From another post.....

So that pesky problem has returned with the SECURITY light. It will pop up like 5 minutes after driving and will stay on steady. I thought the BCM swap fixed it, but aparently not. I'm gonna end up having to replace the stupid lock cylinder.

- Jeremy
Yep. Dealerships and GM do not know how to fix this problem. They usually try the BCM because it's easy to do but usually it's the decoder in the ignition cylinder. I'd just bypass it if I were you, that way it'll never go bad again. Do a search on here to learn how you can do it. No, GM will not bypass it for you either. Also, you'll need to get it fixed soon because it'll get to the point where it won't let you start it at all.

From another post.....


Yep. Dealerships and GM do not know how to fix this problem. They usually try the BCM because it's easy to do but usually it's the decoder in the ignition cylinder. I'd just bypass it if I were you, that way it'll never go bad again. Do a search on here to learn how you can do it. No, GM will not bypass it for you either. Also, you'll need to get it fixed soon because it'll get to the point where it won't let you start it at all.

Since you are insisting on bypassing the Passlock how about posting the specific procedure or providing a link to an old post.

OK then. What you need to do is remove the radio (if your ignition switch is on the dash) or remove the plastic shroud around the column(if ignition switch is on the column.

You'll be looking for 3 tiny wires. One will be black, one orange or orange/black and the other is yellow. The yellow one is the resistance wire. Cut the yellow wire and install a resistor (anything above 2k ohm value should work. You can buy a mixed bag of them at Radio shack for next to nothing). The resistor will be connected to the end of the yellow wire going into the dash and NOT THE IGNITION SWITCH. The other end of the resistor gets patched into the black wire. Some have just grounded the other end of the resistor to anything metal but it should be OK using the ground reference wire. Once that is done, do the steps to make the car relearn a new key cylinder as follows....


1. Attempt to start car; it will crank and fail, with the security light flashing. Leave the ignition on for 10 minutes, until the security light goes out.

2. Repeat step 1, two more times.

3. Car should now have learned its new key cylinder, or in this case, new resistor.

You may want to find a battery charger and have that on the battery when you go to try this.

OK then. What you need to do is remove the radio (if your ignition switch is on the dash) or remove the plastic shroud around the column(if ignition switch is on the column.

You'll be looking for 3 tiny wires. One will be black, one orange or orange/black and the other is yellow. The yellow one is the resistance wire. Cut the yellow wire and install a resistor (anything above 2k ohm value should work. You can buy a mixed bag of them at Radio shack for next to nothing). The resistor will be connected to the end of the yellow wire going into the dash and NOT THE IGNITION SWITCH. The other end of the resistor gets patched into the black wire. Some have just grounded the other end of the resistor to anything metal but it should be OK using the ground reference wire. Once that is done, do the steps to make the car relearn a new key cylinder as follows....


1. Attempt to start car; it will crank and fail, with the security light flashing. Leave the ignition on for 10 minutes, until the security light goes out.

2. Repeat step 1, two more times.

3. Car should now have learned its new key cylinder, or in this case, new resistor.

You may want to find a battery charger and have that on the battery when you go to try this.


Thanks. :thumbsup:

It may come in handy one day.