Securtity Light/ Alarm Question
First, you have the Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS) which is the system that checks for the correct ignition key by measuring the resistance in the pellet on the key. It is designed to prevent the car from starting or running if the correct key isn't used by disabling the starter relay and turning off the fuel pump. It controls the SECURITY light in the instrument cluster. If the light is on, it is reading an incorrect resistance. If the light is flashing, it is unable to read any resistance (key pellet is missing or damaged).
Second, the optional Content Theft Deterrent (CTD) system is a basic alarm system. It flashes the lights and honks the horn if a door is opened or the car is struck while it's armed. It controls the red LED mounted on top of the dash to the right of the defroster vent.
(There is a third "security" system in the factory radio called TheftLock. If activated, it is supposed to prevent the radio from working if removed from the car. It is completely self-contained in the radio and is not connected to the rest of the car in any way.)
If your SECURITY light is on but the car still starts then you have one of two situations. It could be the system is reading the resistance in the key pellet and that the reading is close but not within the tolerance of the system. This is usually caused by dirt and grime build-up on the pellet contacts or on the contacts inside the ignition cylinder. Cleaning the key with rubbing alcohol and a pencil eraser, then cleaning the cylinder with spray electronic contact cleaner (available at Radio Shack) will often solve the problem. It also might be caused by worn contacts on the key or in the cylinder in which case you should get a new key or cylinder before it gets so worn that the VATS will prevent starting the car.
The other possibility is the the VATS has been bypassed the wrong way. The VATS can be bypassed using inline resistors to make the system think the correct key is always present. But some people bypass it by programming the PCM to ignore the fuel enable signal from the BCM and by grounding the starter relay coil lead. This allows the car to start but the SECURITY light will be always on.
The horn honking is usually caused by a bad shock sensor. It is located under the trim in the right quarter panel on the wheelwell in front of the spare tire. Unplug it and see if the problem goes away. Then you can decide if yu want to replace it or just leave it disconnected. You can also program the alarm system off using the instructions in your owner's manual or posted here.
Trending Topics
I unplugged the shock sensor and it fixed it, the doors lock but now the alarm dosent go off. Thanks for the help
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time






