i just bought a 97 pontiac firebird.the delco cd player in it would not work and the amp was missing so i decided to replace it.I ran new wire and removed the delco head unit.now when i open the door i hear a bunch of clicking that stops when i close the door.also the car starts for a sec then dies out.My brother suggested it might have to do with the theft lock system.Will simply wiring in the new head unit fix this or what am i looking at.please help asap.

 

I wired up the new head unit and the stereo now works great but still having the same problems.clicking when i open the door or trunk that stops when i close it and engine starts and dies after a second or so.I didn't have these problems until i took the delco cd player out.I am still thinking it has something to do with the theftlock.Does anyone know about this and if so can i completley remove the theftlock device.

 

TheftLock has absolutely nothing to do with the car starting or running. It is completely internal to the radio and only provides protection against the head unit being stolen. It does this by locking the head unit with a security code so that once power has been removed it won't function again until the unlock code is entered.

 

thanks whitebird any idea on the other probs i described????

 

could it be the anti theft device and if so does anyone know how to reset it??

 

If you can start the car, it shouldn't be the anti-theft device. That prevents the car from starting, it doesn't kill it later on.

As for the problem... tough call. Maybe a short somewhere? Check the wiring around the head unit (and amplifier?) that you installed for shorts.

And what kind of clicking are you hearing? The speakers? The starter? Engine compartment? Have you tried putting the stock stereo back in?

 

Your wiring is screwed up, simple enough.

 

There are two anti theft systems - one standard and the other optional. The Vehicle Anti Theft Systems (VATS) is the reason for the little resistor pellet on the ignition key. The Body Control Module (BCM) checks that the key resistance matches the value programmed into it and shuts off the starter and fuel pump if it doesn't match. This will be accompanied by the SECURITY light on the dash turning on or flashing.

The other anti theft system is the optional Vehicle Content Theft Deterrent system. It's a basic alarm system designed to honk the horn and flash the lights if a door is opened without disarming the alarm system. It has no effect on the engine starting or running.

If your SECURITY light is on then it may be something as simple as dirt and grime on the resistor pellet contacts on the key or in the ignition cylinder. Clean the key contacts with rubbing alcohol and a pencil eraser. Clean the ignition cylinder by spraying contact cleaner (Radio Shack) into the key slot. Wait at least three minutes for the system to reset and then try starting.

If the light isn't on, you may have a defective BCM. Unfortunately, you need special diagnostic tools to test that - which means a trip to the dealer.

 

the clicking comes when either the door or trunk is open and stops when you shut the door.seems to be coming from the hatch area and possibly dash as well it's kind of hard to pinpoint.whitebird trying what you recommended now.thanks for all the help guys.i will post again later.

 

i hooked up the factory cd player and the car started right up but cd player still does not work.so i am back where i started lol.