1998 Chevy Cavalier. Is the Anti-Theft Preventing My Car from Starting?

Chevrolet Cavalier Questions - how to over-ride anti-theft so ...

98 cavalier anti theft bypass? - Yahoo Answers

cavalier anti theft system reset

cavalier anti theft bypass

Are you certain that, at the first crooked crummy car repair shop, you received the correct key when you picked up your car?

Wouldn't be the first time keys at a repair shop got mixed up, and accounts for your description of the issue.

On many cars the anti-theft system is tied in the light circuit, that's how thieves disable the system, they just break out a tail light....That common knowledge makes the anti-theft system useless, except to annoy the owner at times.....I would bypass this useless system...

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t2548_ds38504

Thank you.. I wasn't aware that the light circuit is tied into that theft system. It makes perfect sense now! Your answer was great, thank you so much.

Interesting. I'd not heard of that, and it seems a weird system. It was a brake light bulb that was changed, not a tail light, but I suppose the mechanic could have disturbed something. Worth checking all the lights anyway.

I know that CR4 has become a mecca for Cavalier problems. I still find it weird that anyone would ask on a public forum how to defeat, reset, remove any anti-theft system.

Contact a reputable repair shop or dealership about this . Bring your ownership paperwork with you. You may have to have a stolen property check with the police performed, too. If $500 is too much to spend for this nearly seventeen year old car (an understandable conclusion) then junk the car.

We can only take pity on someone who would attempt to steal a Cavalier....with the certain knowledge that in the end they get what they deserve....

I own the car, red. I've owned it for years and never had this problem before.

Cavalier used a couple of anti theft systems. There should be instruction to reset which ever one you have in the owners manual. The main one calls for you to attempt to start the car for 10 seconds then let ignition set in the on position for 10 minute the light should go out. Some say it may take several tries so have battery charger handy.

I would though take it some where and have it by passed. The list of problems with their anti theft systems is end less. Sort of like the list of problems we see with the cavaliers.

pass. good luck

I assume that your car has the GM Pass-lock system and your key has a small chip embedded in it. Actually the chip is just a resistor which is read by the body control module. I had the same problem with my 99 Pontiac. Do not let anyone rip you off for a new ignition switch. The problem is not there. Probably when your brake lights were worked on, the wiring under the dash was disturbed.

For a good explanation of the system visit www.newrockies.com. They sell the necessary components to completely bypass the whole thing, if that's the way you want to go. I installed their product (an electronic module) and never had another problem since.

And ,if you bypass the security system you may get lucky, and someone will steal your Cavalier

these systems and entire cars are such piles!. I just read that website, that is the answer if you want one of these cars. reminds me of the old Fram oil filter commercial where the guy says, " you can pay me now or you can pay me later"

Ahah! Another victim of the Dark Side of the Force!

Really? You're worried about someone stealing your 1998 Cavalier?

I would be more worried about someone stealing your garbage can.

I would be willing to bet that you take most any 1998 Caviar into the worst part of any town you can find walk away from it with the doors unlocked, windows down, keys in the ignition and running (if it will stay running long enough to walk away of course) and come back hours later and it would likely still be there. (probably not running though)

forgive TCMTECK, you really have no idea just how often we get starting issues on this model of car, its routine around here to bash this vehicle.I'm sure he didn't mean to offend. as already noted the net is loaded with info on this. best of luck

This is the best answer on this forum. You can identify this system if there is an electrode present on both sides of the key shank that is separated from the shank with an insulating plastic insert. This system key contains a resistor of a value that was stored in the car's computer the first time the car was started at the factory. I think there is a +/- 5 ohm tolerance that the computer will recognize. Once the car starts, the anti-theft system is bypassed. The wires in the column for the anti-theft system are very tiny, and after a while, they will break due to stress fracturing.

Sometimes cars break down by causes that are totally unrelated to the condition that was previously addressed. Anyone who has worked on cars a lot can attest to this. So, yeah, replacing the light bulb, although unrelated to the anti-theft, would not cause the problem, but the anti-theft could have failed at that time. Some folks refer this as "coincidence".

I used to own a 96 Buick that contained this system. When it went South, the loose wires would make connection or not, depending on whether the wire ends were in contact with each other at the time. Sometimes I could smack the column to get the auto to start. It was perplexing because the car was my Wife's ride, and when she was unhappy, I was unhappy. I putzed with this car for weeks. So I took the column apart and saw these tiny wires. I could have attempted a repair, but figured it would break again sometime down the road, probably miles from the house. So I measured the resistance across the key electrodes, picked up a resister of the same value at Radio Shack and spliced it into the wiring under the column. Never had that problem again. No, I did not worry about someone stealing this dog. There is a lot to be said for a car that doubles it's value every time you fill it with gas!

My kids had Cavaliers, and I had no problem working on these cars. A lot easier than other cars I've owned. I thought they were pretty decent cars. Good entry level rides. And this coming from a Ford guy.

Good luck, and don't let those pompous BMW, VW, Porsche, and Audi owners get to you. You'll note that these are all German marques. Guess they're still sore from getting their butts kicked.

Semper Fi. Oorah!

If it truly is the anti-theft system try a local locksmith, they deal with these problems all of the time. And they have (most of them do) the scanners to check out the problem, if they can't find the issue they most likely can offer a reference to a electrical repair shop to trace the problem. As it is a common issue on these cars and several other models to have security light issues. Vans and pickups are another big problem with security light issues. Good luck

I bought/own a 2003 Chevy Cavalier. Purchased it "brand new" from the dealership in late-2003 (at a great price .. I must add). The odometer just recently turned over 217,000 miles !! :)

Sure ... I've had the "normal/typical" problems (i.e, various parts replacement, spot paint/rust issues, etc.), but overall .... I have been extremely pleased with this GM product. I am hoping to get another 50,000 miles out of it.

I am a firm believer that regular maintenance and/or service was the key to it's longevity & performance.

thats a first!!

We don't doubt your positive experiences, but the unbelievable number of requests in this forum for help because the "beast" won't start, should be obvious it has turned the whole concept to a joke between us members, no personal offense of course. Actually we don't believe its a bad car, not the worst anyway. But it is obviously a major setback to what you were used to in the States. By the way, that kind of build quality, apart for a couple of manufacturers that also follow, just more slowly, is becoming mainstream here in Europe, and it is not justified by any rational reasoning, just a blurred argument like "If a product lasts for TOO (?) long, what will industries sell?" The solution was to make products self destruct. Funny thing is that the same people that use this argument are also self proclaimed "environmentally aware". How those two combine, it beats me. (LOL) S.M.

I agree that the Cavalier is the but of many jokes here due to the large number of seemingly clueless people that have asked inane requests here about this model of vehicle. [I still don't understand how this started. CR4 is not a Chevy, Cavalier, DIY automotive forum but an engineering forum.]

Getting back to engineering, you touch upon a common misconception that vehicles have planned obsolescence to keep companies alive. This is not true. Nothing lasts forever. Metal fatigue, corrosion, and a myriad of other things will cause a car to eventually fall apart. Methodical maintenance will certainly extend the lifetime of a vehicle. To make a cost competitive vehicle an engineer should weigh the anticipated Mean Time Between Failure of the variety of parts and either make the short lived wearing parts (brake pads, lamps, wiper blades, etc.) relatively easy to replace or design the parts MTBF to just barely exceed the expected lifetime the market expects for that price of a vehicle.

You don't believe in planned obsolescence? Have you forgotten Volkswagen and Audi products from the 1980's?

Clearly the obsolescence is real. I do not believe it is planned. At least it is not planned by the car designers. One can make the argument that the car regulators deal with planned obsolescence.

The sad thing is that if you overcome your... good will attitude and see things more suspiciously, having of course some general material and design knowledge, combined with some global economics (not economics you see on TV of course) you'll be surprised. You will see seeds of self destruction, not programmed obsolescence, that's too soft of a term behind EVERY single useful life defining detail, on most today products. Not saying you will be happier to know about it and where it eventually leads. S.M.

Never heard of it before, had to look it up, it seems like an idea conceived in US at difficult, war times, and forgotten not long after that, an "alternative" was there. I'm talking about modern times, where the "alternative" bubble colapses worldwide. But aren't we getting just a... bit off-topic? (lol) S.M.

Sounds like LadyX got to the same point I did a few weeks ago with replies!!! She'll get past it, though, just like I did!!

Amusing answer! Please let us know whether and how you got the problem fixed.

I have to disagree with cavalier ranting just this once. The anti theft system in question must be one of the most successful in the industry. Thieves informed that not even the owner can start it and seeks for solutions in public forums, ought to be totally discouraged to steal it. S.M.

Hello, I am a 70 year old retired person and I must object to the negative remarks made about the 1998 Chevy Cavalier. I currently drive a 1999 Chevy Cavalier which I bought new in September of 1998. It has been very reliable and has never left me stranded anywhere. I have only had minor repairs in sixteen years of ownership. When I bought this car new, it was a recommended buy from Consumer Reports. It also had 90% North American content. Frank Neal

Go to automotive forums.com Search site they have information on how to use a resistor to bypass Anti-Theft on older Chevy's.

Could be worse, you could own and older BMW or Audi.....

I finally traded my '90 750iL for a Tractor..... Thankya Geezus!

Actually, your question is more appropriate for a GM forum and you would be better served there.

All cars seem to have problems, some more than others.....I'm still trying to deal with the fact that my Mustang has a live grenade planted in the steering wheel that could go off at any time....and the dealer's answer is to replace it with the same thing....Takata has done more to add to the distrust of manufacturers than anybody I can remember...

Me so sorry...

http://www.jsonline.com/business/national/takata-quality-chief-shuns-national-air-bag-recall67ce8ba59b5a4238b67597140c59de78-283348131.html

turn on the ignition and wait 10/15 minutes and try and start the car and if it starts the anti theft is at fault

I don't know if anyone still reads this thread, but I have the same issue with a twist. The anti-theft flashes and I can wait the 10 min until the light goes solid and it starts right up BUT it ONLY happens when it is cold out (around 50 degrees or less). I was living in Florida where this was rarely an issue, but now that I live in Texas it has happened all week so far. :( Waiting the 10 min in the morning is not a big deal, I just leave for work earlier, but leaving work 10 min later is a huge deal as it can add 30-45 to my commute. I want to just permanently disable this feature (20 years old, 210k miles) by "snipping" the wire and capping it as someone suggested. I can't afford to put any money into this car so the dealer is out. Where/how can I snip the wire controlling the anti-theft? Is there a video? I'm pretty handy and could probably do it myself with the proper guidance. Thank you!! :)