How I removed the PassKey system and saved my Buick in a weekend
And here comes me, happy as a lark, no money in my pockets, a job waiting for me every morning and the only things I owned were my family and my car. And I didn’t know anything about GM immobilizers and anti-theft systems.
With a coffee in my hand and my head in the clouds (or vice-versa I don’t remember…), I get out in the morning breeze ready to face my new day, but just in time to discover that my 95 LeSabre that always acted faithfully, now refuses to start and decides to sit on my driveway with that security light blinking at me.
I felt somewhat disappointed, so I googled and googled and googled and finally learnt about immobilizers. And also about a resistor trick that everybody was talking about and they still seem to call VATS Bypass. That trick promised to save me… but instead it was the beginning of my horrible nightmare.
The resistor trick indeed saved me …but only for 48 days. I discovered later that this trick is not a bypass at all, but before discovering that, I found myself stuck again and this time it wasn’t my driveway anymore – it was a Wal-Mart parking and on a Saturday morning. I didn’t know what to do, but I did know I only had the weekend to solve the problem before having to go to work on Monday morning at 7am.
You know they say those are the only moments when you are really able to find solutions. In fact that’s when I found it. I rediscovered I’m an electronic engineer and I took out that PassKey security system and spent the weekend digging it inside-out to understand what it was and how to kick it off my car. And I want to remark: MY CAR, not its car!!
I have to admit it wasn’t too difficult to break that system. It took me 2 full days just because I’ve been a Project Manager for too long.
On Sunday afternoon I had THE solution in my hands: a FULL VATS bypass module that would bypass EVERY single component of the GM security system: the key, the lock cylinder and the Theft Deterrent Module itself! …And before it was too dark, that beautiful Buick V6 was ROARING AGAIN. – Man, how I love it! I say those cars still have a soul!
My only regret …is I threw away the ex-security system instead of taping it to a brick and sending it back to the manufacturer!
Well, you always have some type of regret at the end, in everything you do, but the nightmare was finally over anyway and I was feeling that burning sensation that you feel when you discover something great and want to tell everybody around. So after bothering the people on the parking lot at 2am in the night, I ran home and first thing in the morning I attacked the neighborhood and then decided to go real big and tell the world!
That’s when my first simple web-page was born. All details were there and everybody in the world could start to bypass a GM VATS PassKey system the same way I did. It was working on Pontiac, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile and GMC – most of GM cars and trucks. And lots of people actually liked it and then started helping me out with a mountain of details and that page kept growing and growing till I ended-up with this website you are reading now.
The Untold Story Behind GM Security Systems
The VATS/PassKEY/Passlock FULL Bypass
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Luke
I’m so excited from reading the comments from your website. I have an
Olds Alero 2002 that’s parked for 3 days at my friends home. I didn’t want to take it to the dealer. I don’t have the dealers money $$$, so I left my car at her home until, I decided what I would do with it?????
I went to the pass lock system and found you. I ordered the PRO
Module. I’m waiting for it to arrive in the mail today’s date May 7, 2012
How long will it take? My friend called, want me to come get my car.
I will have to tow it the the shop when I get the pro module. I’m counting on you, Luke. I will leave my car there until the part comes
I need a list of installers in the OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA area.
I do appreciate your help. Thank You June
June, thank you so much for the kind words. We ship every day within 24 hours of the order – except Sundays and Holidays. It usually takes 2 – 3 business days for delivery to your door. Please request the list of installers through our “Contact Us” page and a tech will be back to you asap on it.
Can your system work on a 2005 GMC Canyon? Please advise…. How hard is the installation?
Hein, the PRO Module works on the Canyon until 2010, so yes, it will work for your 2005. Installation is not hard, 1 to 4 hours depending on car and experience. Many of our customers are installing it by themselves.
2003 Impala, 141k miles. Over the last few days, while driving the SECURITY light will come on and stay on. However, if I turn the car off and restart, the car starts normally and the light goes off.
After reading about the passlock system, it seems this is only going to get worse and eventually lead to no-start condition – is this a valid assumption? If so, will the pro module save me from those future headaches?
Thanks!
Jim, you are correct the typical pattern starts with the security light of with the car suddenly and randomly refusing to start for some minutes and then it progresses and gets worse and worse until the car won’t be able start anymore. Our NEWROCKIES PRO Module will address this problem and fix it permanently.
Hey Luke, I have a 2001 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 and I am wanting to install a GT pushbutton start system by gallotech and I need to bypass VATS for that and I figure if I’m going to do it, might as well do it RIGHT. Will the pro systems work with this system and do you have the pro module for my make/model/year.
Matthew, our PRO Module will bypass the VATS system entirely on your vehicle, each and every piece of it. We build the PRO Modules with military grade components with a lifespan of more than 20 years, so it will never let you down.
I have a buck riviera 95. How do I order the bypas kit.
Greg, our PRO module works perfectly on your vehicle, you can order directly from our website at http://newrockies.com/pro , just scroll down and click on the “Buy Now” Button. The price includes the PRO Module itself, ready to install, free technical support, detailed instructions and a 30 days unconditional money back guarantee.
Hi, I have 2002 Chevy Suburban. I have had intermittant starting problems, for years. Almost always in my driveway. Sometimes the security light comes on and stays on, sometimes not. I have a remote starter, installed by Ziebart, about 5 yrs ago. Mechanic says I need a new fuel pump. Sounds like I need your system. If I install your system will it also disable my remote starter?
Thanks, Richard
Richard, our PRO module will bypass the factory immobilizer in your vehicle and fix the no start issue. The remote starter will not be disabled and will keep working as expected.
I have a 1999 buick regal. Some days it will start some days not,when i turn the key on all dash lights are on but no crank.Some times when i turn the signal lights on it will start. other times when i am driving and turn the signal lights on the engine will stall. Then waiting a 2or3 minutes or turning the signal lights off and back non it will start. Will your unit help me Please.
Thank you Karl.
Karl, our modules are compatible with the Regal only up to 1996, we will support your year with the new series of modules that we will have ready about end-March.
I have a 1994 buick park ave. I love my car but.My new years started out soo bad. my kids &I went out to the store twice that day came back made some lunch.loaded up again to go visit Family for dinner I try start the car but it wouldn’t turnover. But the radio &, lights worked so I look over and I see the sercurity light. Was flashing I still was lost. So my step dad came over,he’s a mechanic. He checked everything under the hood & it was fine. So he started the car from the starter but it shut off. I need help to save my care for my. kids &I without breaking my pockets. Please help
Nicoewa, our PRO module will bypass the entire system on your Buick Park Avenue and resolve the no-start issue for the life of the car. The PRO module is a permanent solution built with military standard components and has a lifespan of more than 20 years. You can read about it and purchase directly from our website at http://newrockies.com/pro just scroll down and click on the “Buy Now” button.
Could my 2002 cheverolet impala need that. It only started 2 weeks ago turning off once I would start it. Than it would turn right back on and stay on. But today it turned on and turned right back off and hasn’t turned on the system it says (security).
Hannah, that is a security issue you are describing. Our PRO module will work on your model and fix it.
I am a retired mechanic and being retired I am not familiar with the common problems with cars as I used to be. My 02 GMC Sierra is experiencing this exact problem …. will start for a few seconds and then dies. I went over the entire fuel system knowing it was a fuel problem but not knowing alot about the passkey system the problem was leaving me a little bewildered. After reading a few articles on the subject and going over my service manuel I am covinced that this is my problem. All I need now is to know how I go about ordering this bypass system and if it is available at any of the parts outlets in my area which would be the Niagara peninsula…..
John, you can order our PRO Bypass module directly from our website at http://newrockies.com/pro, just scroll down and click on the Buy Now button, you can pay with Credit Card or with a PayPal account.
I have a 1994 Pontiac firebird with the security light problems i want to see where it’s conected and what it looks like or is it a plug and play system. Ps I’m referring to the full bypass.
Anibal, our PRO module bypasses the VATS immobilizer completely. Installation on your car would be at the VATS module connector toward the ECM or directly at the ECM. Factory vats module needs to be removed or left unplugged.
I have a 95 buick riviera supercharged and I was driving to the store today and the car started fine and ran fine but i noticed that the security light remained on the entire trip. After I came out of the store and started the car the light was still on but this time only for about 2 minutes then went out. I parked infront of my house and shortly after I noticed that the car was too far away from the curb so I went out to move it and the car would crank but would not start. After about 3 tries the car started so I put it into gear and moved the car forward but the car cut right off. The car has not started since and the only light that remains lit is the security light. It does not blink just remains lit after i try to start. Could this be the same problem?
Shaan, this seems to be a problem with the factory immobilizer, and in that case our PRO module will fix it permanently, the only thing that makes me think a bit is that you said “I put it into gear and moved the car forward but the car cut right off”, if that “right off” is within the first 5 seconds, then it’s still security otherwise you might also have another issue on top and I would guess it might be related to the ECM but it will need to be diagnosed apart.
I installed the PRO and changed the fuel pump, and car was running fine. But while I was driving, the car died and the security came up again , but luckily the car started again and the security light went away. From time to time, the car is running like it’s running out of gas or something. How do you explain this situation?
Jonas, as I said in many of these comments, if the car dies while driving the problem cannot be related to security in anyway. The security system is active exclusively in the first about 5 seconds from starting the car, after that it is automatically disabled. From my personal experience, when “stall while driving” happens the issue is very often a faulty ECM (main computer) or crank sensor, but it needs to be diagnosed apart.
Like others my car will turn over but not start. This happens after I let it sit for three or more hours, unless I use starter fluid. Starting to test certain things. First I decided to disconnect the battery immediately after driving and turning off the car, thinking maybe something will be reset. Car started when I reconnected battery and does so every time. Could this still be a sign of security, my light doesn’t blink and goes off after a few seconds. If I do not disconnect and reconnect battery, car won’t stop after sitting for awhile and the disconnect and reconnect doesn’t work. It works only if I immediately disconnect after I get the car running, i.e. through the starter spray.
Curtis, this to me seems to be a different problem. Still on the electrical side, but I cannot connect it with the security system.
i have a problem with the caprice 2001 mdel. sometime starter crank and start after 1 minutes die!
Abner, 1 minute is too much for a security issue. If it is less than 5 seconds, then yes it could be security and our PRO module will fix it.
I having the same problem..my 97 olds find for a week or two then won’t start for about q0 mins.how easy is it to install the by-pass kit
It’ll take about 1 to 4 hours depending of the car.
how i know this will work for my car
It works on all cars and trucks listed on the website. If it’s a security issue it will fix it. If you are not satisfied for any reason you can return it for full refund within 30 days.
My96 lumina broke down and is stuck the security light blinks when the key is positioned on I can’t use key to start and when I start from starter it runs for 2 seconds and dies what do I do I’m unemployed and have no money to fix. Please help
Ken, out full bypass system will fix the problem permanently bypassing the entire factory immobilizer. The issue will never reoccur for the life of the car. The average lifespan for our PRO modules is 20 years and the cost is about 5 times less than repairing the system. You can purchase the PRO module securely from our website at http://newrockies.com/pro .
Luke,Just verifying that the build it yourself kit will work for my 99 Venture.Thanks…………Bob
Hello Bob, on the fly i’m quite sure the 99 Venture has the fuel enable signal required by the DIY kit, but its better you send us a message through our contact-us page and a tech will confirm to you.
i want to no how to fix passlock security problem in gmc vehicle
If your vehicle is listed on the right side on our website then our PRO bypass module will fix the passlock issue bypassing the system.
hi Luke,
I’m trying to understand what all this means. My 2001 Pontiac grandam se shut down on my last week. I just did the ten min deal and it started but the battery was dead also. I really need my car and today and tomorrow is my only day off til Monday. Were does this system go when you install it? I don’t have a lot off money to guess and put in the wrong parts that i don’t need. So will this solve the security light flashing, not starting up and alarm beeping every 5min the car is in acc? thanks for your help
Our PRO module will solve the issue and we have a 30 days money back if the problem would come out of a different nature – which i doubt.
Greetings again, I just read the reply from my first email. thanks for the quick return. How many days should I expect it to be to get here in Connecticut? (I have to borrow the wife’s car and I’m not hearing the end of it!!!) Dan
Daniel, it’s in the shipments for today, you should receive it in about 2-3 business days (USPS priority)
SWEET!!!!!, Thanks I’ll give a hollar back when all is said and done. I’ll have to have the wife or daughter help me do the install, I’m blue green color blind (dam Y chromosome)!!! Thanks Dan
I just got home at night from a long day of work and running the kids to all the palces they needed to be. Come to find out I need to do a HONEY run for the wife. “hey honey go get something for me” I go to the Buick and try to start the car and blink blink goes the security light. The first thought was OK the battery is dead, then the terminals are corroded. No issue with either of those so I get out the multi tool and test points after the battery, still good voltage. Try both keys and no go. I try to find the resistor at radio shack and to be truthful with yoiu radio shack isn’t what it used to be!!!. So here I am. I ordered the part from luke on Saturday the 25 of September, the next time you hear from me you’ll know what happend next. I work for the Government and I need to make sure the car I drive is reliable car that starts. I can’t tell you how infuriating it is not having a vehicle and even more angering is the fact that the car companies know that there were problems with design, too many parts to fail, and each system can cost you hundreds to replace. Buicks will run forever so long as you have fuel, oil, transmission fluid and radiator fluid in them. Hell the body on mine is rusting off faster than I can rack up the miles going to work. I’ll let you know the how it ends, Dan
Daniel, thank you for posting your story! Your PRO module will be shipped tomorrow (Mon, Sep 27). when you install it, not only the car will start and run, but you will not hear about VATS anymore for the life of the car. You can actually remove all the VATS components (including the TDM). Our PRO Full Bypass talks directly with the PCM/ECM and bypasses everything that is VATS/PassKey. And you are right, Buick are made to run forever, and so we want it to be.
Thanks again, Luke
Luke,
2002 Impala – Can your system help me?
Thanks, Dan
Dan, if it’s a security issue, our PRO Module will definitely fix it on your vehicle.