Purpose
The following instructions will allow you to disable the PassLock security in quite a few GM Vehicles.
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This will allow you to install a remote starter and not have to purchase a bypass.
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Avoid Costly repairs for an already broken Pass Lock System.
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Disable Pass Lock system to prevent from being stranded in the future (or try Master Locksmith of New Orleans).
Requirements
A digital ohm meter (optional)
T25 Screw Driver (optional)
Alligator Clips (optional)
Screw driver or other tools for removing interior panels
1/4″ Drive 7mm or 9/32 socket and socket driver
Procedure:
This tutorial varies depending if the ignition is located:
On the dash close to the radio
Is mounted in the steering column
If your ignition is located in the dash then you will be removing the panels on the passenger underside (toe board) of the dash. The BCM (Body Control Module) is there and so are the wires we need to get too.
If you ignition is located in the steering column then you will be removing the driver side kick panels of the dash AND the clam shell around the ignition held in with torx screws.
For Cavalier and Sunfire Owners you ONLY have to remove the clam shell around the ignition that’s held in with 3 bolts.
Depending on the vehicle we will be looking for 3 wires bundled together their colours are either:
| (Group1)Red/White | Yellow | Black |
| (Group 2)Red/White | Yellow | Orange/Black |
- Remove the appropriate dash panels to get to the wire harness.
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Locate the Pass Lock 2 Wires, they will be coming out of the ignition OR on the BCM they will be located in the grey connector, Pin A6 is your yellow wire, and pin B6 will be a black wire(they should be right beside each other).
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Strip some of the wire insulation off the black wire, leaving it bare so you can test and solder to it later. DO NOT CUT THIS WIRE!
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Now cut the yellow wire, make sure to leave enough on both ends to give yourself something to work with. Strip both of the cut ends for testing.
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Take your digital ohm meter and put your negative probe on the black wire that you stripped back earlier. Put the positive probe on the yellow end of the wire that leads BACK to the ignition. Use alligator clips here to help the probes grab the wires.
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With the probes hooked up turn the ignition to the run position. Don’t try to actually start the vehicle, it won’t run anyways :). Read the ohm reading of the meter this is the resistance that we need to create to fool the PassLock security. Turn off the car.
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When selecting a resistance don’t worry about being dead on sometimes being close is good enough. If you can’t find something anywhere near to what you read on the ohm meter you have the option to use a resistor between 0.5K ohms up to 13.6K ohms.
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With the probes disconnected, take the resistor you selected and attach one of the ends to the black wire and then attach the other end to yellow wire that leads away from the ignition (goes to the computer). Apply black electrical tape to the yellow wire end that goes to the ignition, we don’t need it anymore.
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With the resistor connected try and start your car, if you matched the resistance the car will start on the first or second try.
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If it starts then SUCCESS! Solder all your new connections. Tape up your bare wires and re-assemble your dash you’re done 🙂
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If it doesn’t start don’t freak out. You will have to do the factory relearn procedure(really easy)
10 Minute Learn Procedure
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Starting from the off position.
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Attempt to start the engine, then release the key to Run position (vehicle will not start).
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Observe the security light located in the instrument cluster, after approximately 10 minutes the security light will turn OFF. Turn OFF the ignition, and wait 5 seconds.
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The vehicle is now ready to relearn the Passlock Sensor Data Code and/or passwords on the next ignition switch transition from OFF to CRANK.
Important
The vehicle learns the Passlock Sensor Data Code and/or resistance on the next ignition switch transition from OFF to CRANK. You must turn the ignition OFF before attempting to start the vehicle.
12. Your all done, Solder all your new connections. Tape up your bare wires and re-assemble your dash you’re done 🙂



thank you for the information… it was very helpful to me.
Will tis procedure work with/on a 2001 Olds Alero 2.4 twin cam ???
It should work with the 01 alero I have done a lot of research on this because I have a 99 Malibu with the same problem and 01 alero was also on the list.
To comment further it effects
99-04 grand am
99-04 alero
97-03 Malibu
do you think it will work for a 2001 Chevy Impala?
King Bain hit the nail right on the head here.I have had this problem for years mistaking it for a starter motor problem. I have a US motorhome in the UK.It is a P32 Workhorse chassis with a GM6.5L engine and a PASSLOCK system. Have all the wiring schematics but I cannot access the rear of the key to see the colours of the cables but I can see them all further down the steering column. What to do next? Assistance would be appreciated to remove this nightmare nonsense….Paul
I tried this and did not get a reading for resistance.
I got a resistance and then didn’t it fluctuated from around 8 to around 18 ohms. Have yet to install a resister . He also stated that the car would not start with the yellow wire cut but mine did.With mine its a intermittent start no start problem.
Will this procedure do the same thing the Xpress kit PLJX part does on a 2004 Chevrolet Impala
Is this going to do the same thing an Xpress kit PLJX for a 2004 Chevrolet Impala?
this did not work on my 2000saturn sl1
Will this work on a 1998 1500 van. The key on his van does not have a chip it is in the switch and tumblers?
A little more info – There is no voltage at the neutral safety switch which feeds the solenoid. I assume that is fed from the ignition switch, but I can’t trace the wire from the Neutral Safety Switch to the ignition switch. Don’t know where to look next.
2000 olds alero won’t start. Security light stays on steady, no blinking. Reset procedure doesn’t work. No voltage to solenoid on start attempt. I think something in the BCM has gone to a higher level lock out. It wouldn’t start after getting gas the other day. I assumed it was the starter, so I pulled the starter to test it–it’s OK. Then I started searching the web and found all this stuff about passlock. One article said “don’t disconnect power from battery after a failed start attempt”–which I did without knowing when I pulled the starter. Is there some way to clear the BCM so it will give the proper signal to start? Then I can apply your procedure.
I have 95 silverado with GM alarm system and lately is giving me this issue and sometimes it starts and sometimes doesn’t. Any idea or will this procedure provided here will work?
I have a 1996 jimmy how do I bypass passlock
hey guys I’m having the same problem except I replaced the ignition and then lost the new key. would anyone know how to bypass all of this without the key? thanks in advance for any help you might haveyou can send any responses to my email if you would rhlong21210@gmail.com thanks again
I went through the procedure, but now the engine barely runs. Before the procedure it ran good for a second or two. and then shut off, but at least it ran strong for that short period of time. Am I supposed to remove the resistors or reduce the resistance? What do I need to do now?
My thanks to those who figured this out. I had the same symptoms (for the second time on my car) and the dealership and a local private garage both indicated lots of hundreds of dollars (first time the price was $700). I followed the instructions here and after about an hour of work, the problem was gone. My car is a 2004 Chevrolet Classic.
On my car, the black center piece of the dash is held in place by several clips; a flat screwdriver under a corner can be used to pry it loose. (Don’t pull the whole piece up from the one corner; work around the perimeter bit by bit, so no clips get broken.
The radio must be pulled out, and the ignition switch loosened and pulled over to the radio opening. The switch has several bundles of wires; the group of three wires is the one you’ll want.
I purchased my resistor on eBay for about $3; I am experienced a soldering wires.
Thanks again for those who figured this out!
are the colored wires the same on a 06 h3 hummer
are the wires to premanitly disable on a 06 hummer 3 the same? thank you
What color on a 96 Silverado I can not locate anything other than a brown and agreed wire coming from the ignition? Is this the right area?
96 silverado did not come with the passlock system
i dont have a black ..or an orange/black on my 2007 express van?? i have yellow 2 beige grren and red with white stripe ….wich one do i splice into with yello and resistor
I cut the yellow wire and now my cylinder turns freely.
1999 silverado
I have cut the yellow wire and spliced it into the orange/black wire without using my multi-meter. Is this my problem? The security light is solid now, when at first it was blinking. I went through the whole reset or relearn procedure and I was just about to go and get a pack of resistors but I am going to try to find the resistance with the meter. My starter just spins… could I have burned out my ignition switch!?
I have a 1999 Chevy Suburban how can I bypass the security system on a truck
this is not a comment but a question for some-one —–any-one —with knowledge to please help , what resistor is spoken of in the directions on how to permanently disable security system . please help !
If I don’t have access to an ohm meter how can I accomplish bypassing the Pass Lock system ?
when the directions say find something near is that referring to any of the existing wires in that area ?
I have a 99 Suburban LT. I have seen reports that it should be an orange wire, and then similar to your article, Iv’e seen the yellow and black wire. How can I be certain which wires to cut?
I have six 14 ga. wires coming out of the bottom of what I think is the passlock sensor. After cutting the yellow wire, I found no continuity between the yellow wire on the key end and the black wire. I removed the bottom cover on the passlock sensor to expose the soldered connections of the wires. With the key in the “on” position, the resistance was infinite between the black wire and all of the other wires on the sensor. What did I do wrong? Did I check the wrong wires? There were also a bunch of small approx. 22 ga. wires that appeared to be coming from somewhere near the lock cylinder.
What is the year, make, and model of your vehicle?
It is a 2000 Chevy Astro Van LS.
You should have a orange /black and a yellow wire coming from the passlock module. You want to start the can then strip back the Orange/black and cut the yelliw wire. Put your meter on resistance and measure from the Orange/black to the ignition side of the yellow wire. This will give you the proper resistance you need to put in place. Once you have found the resistance needed, twist your one side of the resistor into the Orange/black wire and the other side connect to the yellow wire going AWAY from the ignition. This will bypass it permanently.
I have had some instances when you can not satisfy the bcm with the resistor, in which case, the alarm will go off after several days of use. Then, you must go to the salvage yard and purchase a body control module, that then will lead to a relearn from the radio theft lock. But this has been on about one out of ten of my bypasses I have performed on these units.
OK, I think I got the correct wires this time. There are more than a dozen wires coming out from around the switch. The tiny 22 gauge wires include a yellow and an orange and black. I read 6200 ohms. Does that sound about right?
Yes. That sounds about right.
Thanks. I appreciate the help.
Glad I could be of assistance. Let me know if you need anything else.
OK, I went through the procedure. I found the resistance between the key end of the yellow wire and the orange/black wire. I built a resistor circuit since I could not get a single resistor of that value. I connected it from the computer end of the yellow and the orange/black wire. After going through the key on for ten minutes/key off for 5 seconds procedure (3 times), I got the engine to turn on and stay on. However, now it runs terrible. Tapping the throttle does nothing. Before altering the wiring, it ran for only about 1 to 2 seconds, but it ran good. I even checked the manifold vacuum with a mechanical gauge and it had a strong steady vacuum and good fuel pressure. Now it runs, but just struggles. It seems as though I confused the computer or I got the wrong wires crossed. What happened?
what color are the ignition pass lock wires in a 2007 GMC Canyon?
will I need to leave the module connected? There are two yellow wires.
If you cut the black wire just solder it back together. The black wire is the passlock ground wire and is needed for the truck to be able to start.
What happens if you cut the black
I do believe he said don’t cut the black wire… so don’t cut the black wire…duuuu… and you won’t have to worry about it RIGHT…!!!
if I accidently cut the black wire is there anything I can do
I got a 99 silverdo Z71 that the passlock system left me stranded. I found this website telling me how to bypass it. My truck has the org/blk wire and yellow wire. I did what was said and my truck fired right up and have been driving it for months now with no issues except when I by passed the passlock system, my fuel gauge, temp gauge, shift indicator light, and 4×4 low(push button type) doesn’t work. Ive done the relearn procedure multiple times but does no good on fixing these issues. Also, when I shut my truck off and if my bright lights are on the bright light indicator and security light stays on all the time which will run my battery down if left set for a couple of days. Has anyone else had this issue after bypassing the passlock?
ay amigos alguin me puede ayudar tengo una 2000 silberado arranca se apaga y tiene la luz de segurida todo el timpo
I have a 2006 Cadillac escalade esv i replaced the factory radio with a new one just recently they broke into my car and stolen my radio my coworker gave me a used gm radio it fit in and olso the connection is a 2005 GM DELPHI please help how to unlocked it reads theftlock activated it have cd and navigation system tanks you
My little red light on the radio is not on but anti theft is locking me out and my truck won’t start. Any suggestions??
What if the security light doesnt flash?
I’m having a problem with my 2001 blazer but the passlock has locked me out. I’ve tried using a 1/4 watt 1k ohm resistor, a 1/4 watt 4.7k ohm resistor, and a 1/4 watt 10k ohm resistor. None have worked and I’ve done your factory reset with each one. I can’t get an accurate reading with a voltmeter I bought so I’ve tried 3 different resistors all in the range of .5k ohm to 13.6k ohm like you said. But I’m stuck nothing is working. Please help ASAP
Did you ever figure anything out? Mine is doing the same thing.
I ride a query engine 5.3 vortec on a 2004 camaro 86 runs me anything but I do not injeccion the electrical branch of the cabin only engine with the connectors between general
energize with 12 volt all pink and orange and black black and white negatives and it works does not start and stop know what the number of wires or cable to the pcm to put strength and unlock passlock thanks
consulta yo monte un motor vortec 5.3 año 2004 en un camaro 86 me funciona todo menos la injeccion no tengo el ramal electrico de la cabina solo el del motor con los tre conectores generales
energise con 12 volt todos los pink y los orange y los negativos black y black white y no me funciona da arranque y se detiene saben cuales son los cables o numero de cable en la pcm para poner la resistencia y desbloquear el passlock gracias
Ok, I did the re-learning process early this , evidently it was successful as the security light no longer comes on(except for opening the door) BUT the truck still will not start. I have to get this truck running, its my only vehicle. I have to make it reliable or I have to be able to sell it or trade for something that is. Where do I go from here? It’s beginning to sound like its the BCM. Your comments are greatly needed and appreciated
I did the resistor bypass today as directed at this site. Cut yellow spliced into org/blk.. Truck actually started for the first time in a week, but it only ran for a few secs. It have tried about 4 times now and it will cranks but only runs a few secs. Should I now do the relearn procedure? Thank you so much for this site.
On a 03 chevy monte carlo, did not get a resistance reading from the keyswitch so we used a 2.2k ohm, 1/4 watt resistor, did relearn, and it worked. Now , having problem blowing fuse on the power door lock circuit. changed the 20 amp fuese, works for a little while, then blows again. changed the actuator and the lock button. No help . frustrating!
For my 1999 Suburban 1500, the two wires I used were the yellow (cut) and orange w/ black (don’t cut). They are two of the three wires coming out of the harness on the top of the ignition cylinder. The ohms measured 1.8k and I used a 2.2k / 0.5 watt resistor…a 10 minute reset and it fired right up.
By the way, I have 4 resistors left (it only came in a 5 pack), I’m happy to mail one to anyone who asks, just reply to my comment with your address and I’m pretty sure the website will send me an email to let me know…I hope it does, otherwise, my problem is fixed so I probably won’t come back to this blog post again.
Having issues with 99 yukon. I would greatly appreciate a resistor.
David Benson
24782 East Cedar Lake Drive
New Prague, MN 56071
Thanks a lot
No problem…it’ll go out with today’s mail. You should have it this week.
Do you still have a resistor you can send me?? And was pretty easy to do? I have a 98 Old Acheva that I need to do this on….Thank you…
Matt
Please I need so badly can’t find anywhere
In need
I purchased a 97 Cadillac Deville Concours that had some minor side damage. The car had been sitting for two months with no battery. I borrowed my friend’s battery and the car started and drove fine. I returned the battery to my friend and when i installed another battery (used one) it came up with this “Theft System problem, car may not restart” error and since I can’t get it to start. The security light comes on when you turn the key to “run” and then goes off but the car won’t start. Will the relearn be the way to fix this issue? Can I use a used battery that is good or should I purchase a new battery? When I select “lock” on the remote it does not show no security light even when the doors are opened it does not show the “security light” at all. Please help as I want to get it running. Thanks guys.
I have a 1997 Pontiac Bonneville SSE. I recently found out that I have to replace the steering column. I am afraid to let my neighborhood mechanic whom has done great work on my car in the past take on this challenge because I am afraid that the car will lock. What would u suggest?
my name is Devin and I have a 1999 Chevy Silverado 3500.the fuel pump stays running and it keeps ejecting gas into the engine even after I shut off the truck it just started doing this the other day? What do you think it could be?if you need any in so that will not be a problem I appreciate you putting this post up and I hope to hear back from you soon thank you
I have been putting up with this crap from GM for the last 10 yrs on a 2001 Chev Silverado 5.3. Being left at gas stations, stores, work, everywhere and have just tried this fix. Followed it to a tee and it took the full 3 re-learns to start. Going to leave the dash apart for the next 6 mths in case, but so far it appears to be working.
Thank you for sharing these secrets!