Won't Start. Anti-theft system?

[jfmackeysr]

2001 Malibu will crank, won't start. Fuel pump module replace 18 months ago. Idiot light suggests anti-theft system is the culprit. Is there a way to reset or disable anti-theft system to allow start?

[diablo]

set the car in acc for 20-30 mins then try to restart the car.

[TexasSeaShell]

If Anti-Theft light comes on & car clicks but will not start....check fuses (in side panels & under hood) then go to any dealership & have them make you new keys from the VIN#.....you will need proof of insurance & valid driver's license.....this has happened on my 98 Malibu & my mom's 98 Cavalier.....apparently they become tempermental & decide that you are trying to steal the car....new keys from the VIN# solved the problem for both of us....we both did have to jump-start afterwards b/c we each rained the battery trying to will the thing to start...if both of those don't work try blowing out the ignition switch with a spray air can (like for computers)....if still not starting, pop off ignition switch cover (pin just behind it) and blow away.....hope this helps!!!!!!

[ALLY]

SO...DID THIS WORK CUZ MY MOM HAS A 98 CHEVY MALIBU THAT SOMETIMES DOESN'T WANT TO START ON HER BUT EVENTUALLY DOES. SHE WAS TOLD IT WAS THE KEY SO THEY USED THE ORIGINAL KEY AND THAT WORKED FOR AWHILE BUT NOW IT IS DOING THE SAME THING EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS SAYING THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX THIS.

[K]

same thing happening with my mother's 98 Malibu. Chevey dealer says "that'll cost several hundred dollars and a few weeks to fix." She's getting the same runaround a lot of people seem to be getting. The dealer replaced the alternator and the ignition over last winter. Same problem still going on - including this business about it being the "key."

[Della deCorse]

Anti-theft computer glitch When the light comes on blinking it take 10 minutes exactly for the default in the computer to kick in and let you start your car. This seems to be related to the electrical system involving the alternator and the battery. When I replace the battery I don't seem to have a problem for several months. This whole thing is a glitch in the computer system when it thinks someone used a foreign key to steal the car, but I don't even take the key out and it still does it.

[Matty Matt]

THe August 5th posting is correct. Wait 10 minutes with the key in the on position, until the theft light stops blinking, then turn the key to the off position, only then can you retry to start the car. I have come to conclude that the computer has a glitch. NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DON"T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON UNNECESSARY REPAIRS.

oUT.

[Allison]

I have had this problem. I had the dealer disable the anti-theft device and I have not had the problem again. This was the only solution I have found.

[krsnca]

Owners manual suggests leave vehicle key in ACC for 10 min. I have tried this to no avail.
If you put ignition to on for 10 min, turn off and then try to start car this will work fine. I have only experienced this problem once.
Owner of 2002 Malibu

[Flywelder]

There's a way to do it by tracing the two wires going down the column for the ignition cylinder contacts, finding out what the resistance value is for the chip in your key and installing a resistor of the same value in the harness connector for the two column wires....this will defeat the system and allow anyone to start the car without the right chip key although they'd have to have the right key to turn the ignition or peel the column to steal it. If the car has a computer problem, then that won't work. Could just be dirty contacts in the ignition cylinder if it's an intermittent problem. Try cleaning the contacts inside the ignition cylinder for the chip with some rubbing alcohol or contact cleaner and a q-tip.


7-14-08

[Flywelder]

The wires that the above answer mentioned are located within an orange sleeve that runs from the switch to the on board computer. the wires usually are white. sometimes one is striped. What you need to do is cut one of the wires and strip the ends. next put the car in gear. (not park or neutral) connect a digital ohm meter to each end of the wires you cut. Now turn the key to the start position. The car will not "turn over". You will get a reading on the ohm meter. This is the resistance of the chip in the key. Go to radio shack an purchase a resistor that matches the value on the ohm meter. Sometimes you need to but two resistors and connect them together to get the proper resistance. Now cut the other wire in that sleeve.Connect the resistor to the wires that you cut. This will trick the computer into thinking that there is always a key in the ignition. You'll still need a key to start the car, but it doesn't need a chip in it. Sure is nice when you have to get a key made. You don't need to go to the dealer for that great GM feeling when you have a key made. 7-14-08

[Drew22McCollum]

My 2001 Malibu is doing this and i can't get the light to come off still and my car to start..If the lights on and i turn the key it just clicks and the light goes off but if i try to start it again the light comes on..Please help me i just got a brand new battery so can't be that

[GirlOfManyTrades]

Just happened to me...unplugged battery and placed back..reset system ☺

[Thomas]

Went out this morning an car would not start the anti theft light kept flashin

[Thought solved, but ...]

I thought I solve this problem I found a YouTube video that showed me how to put the key in the door lock it on lock it lock it unlock it put the key in the ignition and it fires up. I then cut the anti theft wire as it showed me on the video and it lasted about three months. unfortunately now it stranded my wife at work and each time I do something the anti theft light comes on and stays on I had to remove the horn under the hood because it would not stop blasting. I cannot get past the anti-theft actually shutting off. The 10 minute in ACC mode never kills the antitheft light for me.