Dash blinking lights and says Theft

I have a 1996 Buick Skylark with 3.1 engine. The theft light stays on most of the time now. The other lights are now all blinking on and off as you drive. I stop turn the key off for 30 seconds and start again and only the theft light stays on. But the light for the gear you want does not light. I tried changing keys, that had no chnage. t seems that when its warm in the garage it does not do it as much. But if parked outside for over an hour, its on. I heard that it could maybe be the cluster panel. What goes wrong with it that I could maybe replace a part on it or resolder something to make a better connection?

Most likely the PassKey system has not detected the key resistance pellet while the engine is running. If that's the case, the system is now in an unprotected mode, allowing you to start the engine but also not providing antitheft security. If this is like the other 1996 PassKey systems, if you disconnect the battery or lose power for whatever reason before the problem is repaired, you will not be able to start th engine.

I'd suggest starting by checking the orange two-wire connector at the base of the steering column. If you insert the ignition key and cannot read the correct resistance at the connector at the base of the steering column, the wires at the lock cylinder and/or contacts in the lock cylinder are suspect.

This may also help:

http://72.19.213.157/files/VATSSystem.html

Most likely the PassKey system has not detected the key resistance pellet while the engine is running.

Good overall advice Jeff to a point except this Buick make (96-98) should have the Passlock I system and not Passkey.

Thank you for the info. Sounds like I'm really going to have a problem if the battery goes dead. I will look for the orange wire. My key does have the black round carbon dot on it.

Then you have Passkey- measure the resistance across the resistor in your key- and get one at Radio shack- and install it across the car side (not key side) of the two white wires inside the orange sheath- your car will be permanently by-passed- never to see that theft light again......

My key does have the black round carbon dot on it. As mentioned earlier, your car has the PassLock-I system, not PassKey! Also, there is not an "orange two-wire connector at the base of the steering column" in this system. You have three wires; a yellow R-Code wire and a black PassLock ground wire going to the body control module (BCM) and a white ground-pulse to the blub check in the IC. The VTD or "Passlock" system uses the BCM and ignition lock cylinder to activate the start function. The ignition cylinder uses a magnet that produces a unique voltage value when rotated in the ignition housing across the Hall effect sensor. The Passlock Data Voltage has a potential of 10 different values, ranging from .86 to 4.28 volts. The BCM compares this voltage value to the value stored in the BCM. If the voltage values are the same, the BCM sends a signal to the power-train control module to enable fuel. If the voltage values are not the same, the engine will briefly start, then stall.

The first indication of a malfunction of the PassLock-I system is; if the security lamp is flashing after an attempted start. If it is flashing, the fuel disable command has been energized. When looking at this on a Tech II scan tool, if the parameter shows "fuel system disabled" or P01631 description, then it's a Passlock issue. In addition, you could have an IC pulse-ground (bulb check) issue.

BTW, here is a PassKey relearn procedure you can try:


If you try to start the car and it will not start, leave key in ignition in the on position for 15 minutes. The security light should go off.
Turn the key to the off position, and pull it out
Wait about 10 seconds and start the car

I tried putting the key in for 15 minutes. It worked 2 times after that. Then the light stays on again. It does seem that if I put the key into the ignition for about 30 seconds then turn it on, it has a better chance of the light going out like it should.

Bill I have the same Skylark you have I had a passlock problem and mine would not start at all unless you turned the ignition to on for ten min. then turned it off and waited another 30 min. then it would start. I overrode the passlock by starting the car then unpluging the three wires going to it located underneath the steering column under the dash. I found this procedure in this forum form dzhali dated 2004. This worked like a charm.

Bill I have the same Skylark you have I had a passlock problem and mine would not start at all unless you turned the ignition to on for ten min. then turned it off and waited another 30 min. then it would start. I overrode the passlock by starting the car then unpluging the three wires going to it located underneath the steering column under the dash. I found this procedure in this forum form dzhali dated 2004. This worked like a charm.

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