I may be onto something?

I posted about a month ago complaining of security computer troubles. At random, the car would seemingly activate Passlock and fail to start. It never occurred to me that the aftermarket stereo I installed could be causing such issues.

The local salvage yard is selling a Delco CD player for $20. Even though not the original head unit with the car (it came with a run-down cassette player with a dead display), would it theoretically stop the Passlock bull-scheiße?

Probley not...

Have you ever replaced the ignition switch or lock cylinder ??

No, but here's the way I see it: The radio COULD be the problem. It all started with the new radio. A Delco at a salvage yard costs $20. A lock cylinder costs $100+. =]

GAWD....Not another PASSLOCK problem. One of the worse ideas GM came up with, next to the original VEGA Engine.

The passlock system did not directly integrate the radio into the anti-theft system until 2002-03. Passlock is looking for a setting/value from the key/tumbler which then allows the fuel pump to be energized to start the car. The radio or LACK OF has NOTHING to do with this.

What you have in the factory unit is a theft deterrent radio system that will not work in any other car if it is removed when it's in the locked condition. This setting is internal to the radio and the only thing it looks for to operate is the correct response from the ecm/pcm (vin code)when powered up. The car doesn't care if the radio is there or not. But the radio does discriminate as to what vehicle it will operate in when you set it for theft deterrant.

Considering your vehicle is 10 years old and has an aftermarket radio which is working then you more than likely have a problem in the ignition switch or the magnetic sensor in the column @ the key tumbler. This is caused by dirt over the years getting into the tumbler and the switches.


Get some electrical contact cleaner (CRC is good) and remove the shroud from the column. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!!! SPRAY LIBERALLY around the tumbler and operate the tumbler with the key while spraying. Cycle the key in and out also. Then lubricate the key with DRY GRAPHITE!!! DO NOT USE OIL / WD-40 / PB BLASTER or any other type of liquid lubricant. DRY Graphite Powder only. A little goes a very long way.

Also check and make sure all of your contact's connectors are clean and tight in the area. When the radio was installed a connector could have been knocked loose.

CRC is cheaper than a radio. Give it a shot. I'd bet on the ignition tumbler being bad.

Larry

Very good points thier Larry, and I would agree.

Heh... forgive my ignorance. lol

Another question: Did Pontiac Delco radios have defective LED displays? I put it into Google and it came up with a laundry list of poor folks having dead LED displays in their Pontiacs.