Hey guys first post here. So I bought a 97 cavalier off a buddy who got it from a buddy haha. The key had screwed up and the guy replaced the hole key and assembly,then the car never started again. The keys he had for the car are just metal generic ones. This is what happens. Get in the car turn key dash lights up. Theft light is on no fuel pump noise push in clutch, engine cranks but no fire. The theft light is on all the time so I'm assuming it's the vats or pass key. What ever its called. I'm new to these cars and am in the dark about everything that's is security. Most vehicles I work on are pre fuel injection or have warranty haha. Any thoughts on were a guy should start. I see u can bypass the security but like I said not sure which is the best thing to do on first or to look at.
Ps I tried to use the search but came up with 10 thousand things
Thanks Curtis

Leave the key in the on position for 10 minutes. Theft light should go off.

Tried that. Is the key suppost to be special because of the security like a chip key. My 2 keys are just all metal. I'll try the 10 min thing again

I just did the 3 sets of 10 mins with out any results. The security light stays lit. The fuel pump doesn't come on at all and there is no spark that I can see. It cranks over fine. I have no idea other than to take it to a mechanic and have him hook it up. But I would like to avoid that. If I could just by pass all the security that would be awesome. Could a guy just wire in like 5 switches one to ignition one to fuel pump, one to ecm and push button to the starter or no. Just shooting in the dark here.

Check fuel and spark before you do anything else

I mean double check everything to make sure that you don't have a junk ignition module or bad fuel pump or a combination of both

I can make the fuel pump run if I pull the relay and put power the one terminal so I assume it's okay. How to I check the ignition module if you don't mind me asking.

Jbody keys dont have "chips" or resistors in them. If the security light isnt turning off then there is a problem somewhere that needs fixed.


Have a nice day.

Check fuses.



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Still not low enough for a signature.

Checked all the fuses that are in there they are all good. Thanks for the tip about the key wasn't sure how these work. Like I said the car ran before the previous owner changed either the key assembly or the whole column. The car has a steering column in the passenger seat with no key assembly in it. So I don't know if he used it for parts or just key parts. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and get the stealer ship to hook it up and reset it all. But that'll cost an arm and a leg I bet

does it have a remote start/aftermarket alarm installed?

It did have a aftermarket alarm but I took it all out. It was a predator model. It was half detached already so I just un hooked all the sliced in wires they had. Maybe it needs to be reseller again. Like unhook the battery you think. Or does a guy need a obd scan tool to reset it.

check to see that you didnt screw anything up when you took the alarm out. the way the alarms work is they cut a power wire for whatever function of the motor and run it through the alarm system. if that wire isnt re attached properly you car will definitely not start.


Have a nice day.

agreed with Jordan on this one

Jordan wrote:check to see that you didnt screw anything up when you took the alarm out. the way the alarms work is they cut a power wire for whatever function of the motor and run it through the alarm system. if that wire isnt re attached properly you car will definitely not start.

this

Jordan wrote:Jbody keys dont have "chips" or resistors in them. If the security light isnt turning off then there is a problem somewhere that needs fixed.

You're exactly right. The ignition switch reads the resistance that the key makes when it's stuck in. And since that ignition switch was changed, and the computer not programmed for the new one..... it'll never start again.





i find it amusing that SHOoff has nothing better to do but follow me around & be an unhelpful dick in even cross-forum. - Jon Mick

So it sounds like I have to take it to the dealership to reprogram it or can a guy use a backyard garage guys scan tool

If the tool is capable of doing so, then you can use it. Most of them aren't though unless they're fairly expensive.





i find it amusing that SHOoff has nothing better to do but follow me around & be an unhelpful dick in even cross-forum. - Jon Mick

Do you think its possible to bypass all the security system and hard wire everything. I paid 500$ for the car and am not worried about it being stolen. I'm gonna talk to the HD mechanic at work and see if there scan tool will reset it. I don't wanna have to pay as much as I did for the car to get it to run at the dealership if possible. It a nice little car in good shape

You won't be able to bypass the software. If the ECU doesn't get the password from the keyswitch in the right time, it just shuts off the fuel injectors. I know of a way to get around that, but you'll end up getting about 5mpg.




i find it amusing that SHOoff has nothing better to do but follow me around & be an unhelpful dick in even cross-forum. - Jon Mick

ya that would kinda defeat the purpose of the 4 cyl econo car haha. thanks for all the help so far. gonna go pick a local mechanics brain abit