security like stays on when running car, how do i fix

1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
98,000 MILES
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MR_FXST
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i bought a 1995 firebird 3.4l automatic. i noticed the vats connection for the key was disconnected so i re-connected it but security lights on when running. no trouble starting and running car. i have read the horror stories about the vats system. the light start on continuously does not blink. the car starts weather the vats key cable connected or not same with light
Jul 15, 2012 at 7:35 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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I posted a trouble for you most of the time the wire to the key cylider breaks inside the insulation.
Jul 15, 2012 at 7:53 PM
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MR_FXST
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the car starts and runs fine took on small trips of 150 miles, if the vats cable was brake would not the car not start?
Jul 15, 2012 at 8:03 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Depending on the break it could start i posted a trouble for your symptoms.ALso your theft module is to the right of your radio in the dash.Let me know what you find and we can go from there and i can also get you more info if needed.
Jul 15, 2012 at 8:33 PM
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MR_FXST
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i have the original key tumbler with wires cut, i have new one installed with the 2 wires in orange sleeve in place and with the same resister value. now i have 4 keys that start the car. i dont believe it is in the keys or the wire. i will check the TDM thanx
Jul 15, 2012 at 8:49 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Follow the trouble tree i posted lets go from there.Keep me posted.
Jul 15, 2012 at 9:11 PM
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MR_FXST
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i disconected the TDM. i let the car run for 5 minutes. the security stayed on and did not blink. the grounds are good as fasr as i could tell. how do i check what the resistance shout be at the TDM. or how can i tell what it is looking for? i checked every fuse in car and they were good. the cable wires(2 white ones) measured good with the key in. there is a 5 prong connector by the headlight switch and has nothing plugged into it. looks like there was though. here is a pic of it. what is it for
Jul 16, 2012 at 7:02 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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It says to just unplug the theft module and turn the key to the run position then see if the light is on?If it is then there is short somewhere to the security light.Are you sure you unplugged the correct module?Also are sure someone didnt bypass that module at some point?
Jul 16, 2012 at 7:39 PM
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MR_FXST
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the tdm was behind the glove box and i checked it both with the car on and off. still security light on. yes i think that someone has modified it but where? the white wires are not cut and shows right resistance, tdm looks like it was never touched, the car starts and runs with wite wires attached or disconnected. car does run a little ruff so i check the injector and they looked fine. the plugs i have to replace.
Jul 16, 2012 at 9:06 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Theres a theft deterrent relay mounted to the right side of the sir bracket see if the wires to it have been cut/tapped into etc.
Jul 16, 2012 at 9:17 PM
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MR_FXST
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what is a sir bracket? and where is it
Jul 17, 2012 at 2:09 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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To the right of the glove box.Also the sir bracket is the support for the air bag.
Jul 17, 2012 at 2:18 AM
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MR_FXST
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i removed the relay and all 5 wires are attached and untapered with. i traced the wires as far as i could and looked like they have not been tampered with
Jul 17, 2012 at 6:24 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Does it start with the relay unplugged?
Jul 17, 2012 at 8:37 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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There should be a brown wire a yellow wire with a black stripe a yellow wire and a purple wire going to it.
Jul 17, 2012 at 8:45 PM
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MR_FXST
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yes those are colors and car did not start
Jul 17, 2012 at 9:19 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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It has to be modified somewhere because the theft module supplies the ground trigger for the theft relay.If the theft module is unplugged then the relay wont get the ground for the starter to work.
Jul 17, 2012 at 9:24 PM
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MR_FXST
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yes i am sure of that but if not at relay, wires from key, at TDM or at the injectors where else could it be?
Jul 17, 2012 at 9:32 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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If the starter works with the theft module unplugged and the starter is working the relay is getting ground trigger from somewhere.
Jul 17, 2012 at 9:37 PM
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MR_FXST
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the looks like a dealer problem then. looks like it is beyond you and i. thanks anyway
Jul 17, 2012 at 9:41 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Alright if you want to call it quits then please know let me know what you find.
Jul 17, 2012 at 9:50 PM
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MR_FXST
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unless you have more ideas i have no choice i got a beautifull car with a sercurity light that wont go out. it starts fine and everytime till i pull the relay. then when i do disconnnect the relay it wont even turn over. the wires from the key switch has no effect on the starting they were disconnected 1 month when i bought the car. all the wire and places to look that you told me looked like they never have been tampered with. i could find no "jumper wires" anywhere. i have installed a remote starter device hoping it might turn that light off because it has a vats bypass kit with it but it would not work so i took it out. I am out of things to try,
Jul 17, 2012 at 10:00 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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There is only one logicail answer someone bypasssed the security.Run new wires if you have to bu someone bypassed it somewhere.
Jul 17, 2012 at 10:08 PM
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MR_FXST
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from where to where, is ther a wiring harness for this fix i can buy. if i take it to dealer i will leave a msg here so all that might have this trouble can see how to fix it. all the places that people suggest to rewire the system has been checked and there are no bbypass boxes in the system
Jul 17, 2012 at 10:14 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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You maybe able to get a wire harness but probably not.its probably part of the body harness.Also when you unplug the theft module the security light should be on.Because the security has a ground trigger to turn the bulb on from the theft module.So somewhere on the gray from the theft module to the cluster bulb that wire is grounded.So the evidenced keeps mounting that someone somewhere has altered that wiring.Lets do this to prove it beside the fact it starts withou the theft module plugged in.Unplug teh theft module and the theft relay.Then put the meter on low ohms scale like 200 ohms scale the go from a good ground to the yellow wire with a black stripe at the theft relay what does it read?
Jul 17, 2012 at 11:16 PM
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MR_FXST
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set at 20k ohm i get 2.79
Jul 18, 2012 at 12:14 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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20 thousand ohms scale dont you have a lower scale like just 200 ohms like i said to set it to?Also that wire goes straight from the theft module to the theft relay its only grounded thru the module.So why when the theft module is unplugged is that wire showing ground?If all the wires are good and untampered with iam confused thats impossible right?
Jul 18, 2012 at 12:27 AM
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MR_FXST
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sooy not 20k 20 ohm
Jul 18, 2012 at 12:32 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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alright so like 2 ohms to ground hows that possible if the wires are good and unalterated?
Jul 18, 2012 at 12:44 AM
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MR_FXST
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i dont know but i can show you pics that show then unaltered
Jul 18, 2012 at 12:45 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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That wire is grounded thru the theft module then runs straight to the theft relay if the theft module is unplugged.Then there should be no way for it to get ground if the wire has never been changed shorted to ground etc.Its just not possible unless your car has magicial properties that no other car has?So if you want to replace the wires let me know and i will guide you thru it.
Jul 18, 2012 at 12:53 AM
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MR_FXST
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i think i better take to dealer you see, i have only one arm i am handicapped thanx for the help
Jul 18, 2012 at 1:32 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome thats what were here for please post results what they found.What probably happened is someone added a remote start and added a bypass box so it would work.
Jul 18, 2012 at 4:01 AM