Alero Passlock issue with cold weather?

[BigJimW]

I didn't know where else to post this, so I posted it here. Mods please move if it can fit anywhere else. But here's the problem. I have had my Alero for the past 6 months with no problems starting. Recently I moved to Maine and noticed the Security light flashing and a no start condition. I did search for the temporary solution (Passlock reset procedure) and it worked so far in the three times Passlock had the fits. Two of the times I had to reset the Passlock, my battery died, which indicated a bad battery not holding a charge (keeping your ignition key to ON should not kill a battery in ten minutes, even with the lights on). Bought a new Duralast Gold battery today to fix that problem (which I know is not the Passlock issue, just a bad battery that I happened to find resetting the Passlock with the 10 minute procedure). I am wondering if this current Passlock issue is related to the cold weather or perhaps a bad battery, or maybe both. I just want to get rid of that Passlock because the only thing it's really good for (from what I have read) is not to stop a thief from stealing your car, but from the legitimate owners from starting it. Could a low battery cause a fault in Passlock due to the cold and kick it in? Or could the cold weather be the single factor? Any ideas? I'd rather rip the damned thing out and start my car with a screwdriver if that's what it takes.

[BigJimW]

Moderators, the GENERAL section was not displaying for me when I posted this message. Sorry about that. If you can move this thread to the appropriate place, it would be much appreciated.

[sleepyalero]

I think the almost dead battery/cold could be a cause I think I had it happen once last winter.

[BigJimW]

Originally Posted by sleepyalero

I think the almost dead battery/cold could be a cause I think I had it happen once last winter.

I'm starting to think the same thing. After the new battery was installed, it starts fine. Yesterday, the SECURITY light came on and about 3 hours later when I wanted to go to the store, PASSLOCK kicked in and wouldn't let me start it. Today, the same scenario happened with the SECURITY light coming on, but I was able to start the car with a fresh battery 3 hours later. However, after doing more research on this half assed Passlock system GM puked out with that tends to screw over owners more than thieves, I'm not very confident this will be "permanent". But we shall see.

[Oldsnut]

I bypassed my Passlock system using the resistor method to bypass the Bypass on my Aurora and haven't had any issues in 6 months. Research it on You Tube, there are How To's on there.

[BigJimW]

Originally Posted by Oldsnut

I bypassed my Passlock system using the resistor method to bypass the Bypass on my Aurora and haven't had any issues in 6 months. Research it on You Tube, there are How To's on there.

I may very well have to do that. Even with somewhat warmer weather and a fresh, new Duralast battery, the Asslock kicked in two days in a row (spelling error intended). I read everywhere that the Passlock system should have been recalled because it was a such a poor design and the connections to it were not gold plated, meaning they corrode over time and changes the resistance value fed to the BCM.

The 10 minute reset works, but it's a pain in the asslock when I can't start my own car and have to wait. Thieves will never steal any GM product, because they know that even the OWNERS can't start 'em!

I love my Alero, but this sucks.

[Monza]

I did the cut-the-yellow-wire fix several years ago but had a security fail yesterday. It was parked outside in -0 degrees so maybe the temperature had something to do with it.

I'm not sure at this point whether to try adding the resistor or buying a system I saw advertized that is supposed to bypass the whole security mess for $190.

Any one familiar with what you get for the $190 system?

[jhubbz]

I just spliced in a switch on the yellow wire. My security light is on all the time, but now I can use my push button start, and eventually get a remote start installed.

[jawa]

i did the resistor mod after the thing wouldnt start at ass never had a issue since its very easy to do

[tomekbrek]

Hello.
Two days ego i had the same problem, security light on cluster and my car does not crank, resistor mode does not help me, me car is still blocked.

any ideas ?

[zzyzzx]

I am having this trouble now, and I think it's the humidity causing the extra resistance in the circuit. It there a way to reset it without waiting 10 minutes? I would think that the same button that you use for the oil change and TPMS would work here.

[guiguilandry]

no, there is no other reset than waiting for the light to goes out that's the way the bcm is programmed...

[906Chase]

in order for the bypass procedure to work you don't only cut the yellow wire, but solder a 1500-3000 ohm resistor from the yellow wire to the black one so it grounds out. Which should tell the BCM that all is fine and you won't even get a light on the dash (after you put the resistor on, you also have to do the reset/relearn procedure one last time).

[zzyzzx]

It hasn't done it since, so I am going to try to put it off until the winter if I can. I've got better things to do in the summer.