does the Passlock II do this

**EdPDX** · 01-04-2009, 07:56 PM

I fired up the 98 Suburban K1500 last night and drove into the city. As I started it I heard a series of 4-5 beeps coming from under the dash. I knew it was an alarm of some sort; but not sure which.

When I bought the burb last year I noticed that under the dash was a box with an antenna and a Piezo type speaker. the box was about the size of a can on chew(only square). It has a molex connector with five leads that go tot the cluster of wires just under and behind the steering wheel collar. The name on the box indicated that it was a device that car dealers put in place so that can kill the vehicle in the even that you stop making payments. I paid cash, so I did not expect it would ever be activated. I was going to take it out or even have the car dealer remove it; but He said he was the third owner- used to be a hertz or fleet car. I did not go back to him cause I figured he would pass the buck and say he did not install it. Having said tthat I don't feel that the alarm I heard last night had anything to do with this device.

I had to tow the burb back home last night because when I got in it at 10:30pm it beeped as before, started smoothly; but as I put it in drive it died as I pulled out of the parking space. Dash lights and under dash flashers went off and after a few minutes I tried again. At this point all I wanted to do was get out of the driveway of the parking lot and put it back into a single parking space. It died again. I noticed that I could start it but I felt as if it were starving for fuel, AND the steering wheel turned with a ratcheting feel that indicated it was turning but somehow disengaged. I know the wheels were not turning on the pavement. WTF?!

The tow driver told me he felt the same as he tried to straighten the wheel. I got home and attacked the google for help. Many point at the Passlock II system which my 98 GMC seems to have. I agree as I was out this morning and as soon as I opened the door I heard a ticking noise and saw lights flashing under the dash. I followed the chirping sound back to a module on the driver left firewall near the fuse block. I pulled it out and the chirping stopped. When I turn the key on I get momentary activity in the gauge set and all goes dark. The burb will not turn over like it did last night. Did I go from TAMPER mode to full kill/disabled?. My first thought was to remove the dealers "NO PAY" kill box; but I thought that just because it has fire wires, does not mean that is all the wiring that may have been altered. So before I go any further I want to know if disabled steering is the norm for a passlock II system and am I right that I no longer have a chance to strt it in tamper mode- did I go to total shutdown- is that the normal progression?

Many thanks to all of you and happy new year!

Ed

**4x4Crew** · 01-05-2009, 11:36 PM

I have never heard of passlock II doing this to a vehicle. Is there a security light or picture of a key on the dash that is flashing really fast? Usually when you trip the passlock system, the security light on the dash will flash quickly for about 10 minutes and then it stops. Once it stops, you should be able to start the vehicle again because it resets itself after the 10 minutes. Passlock has no control over the steering column. That is something else that you have going on there. Basically the passlock disables the fuel injectors.

Hope this helps.

**chevygurl** · 01-06-2009, 12:34 AM

I agree with Crew, you should be getting different symptoms with passlock problems: the key camber wouldn't turn, no injectors, etc. The easiest way passlock gets incorrectl engaged in damage to the sensor on your key. Do you have a spare key to try?

I would contact a place that installs the security systems and show them pictures and ask them if they recognize the device. At least if you have model number you could find a manual on how it's wired and how complicated it gets under your dash before you go yanking stuff out and causing more damage (including the possibility of detonating your air bags)

**pmf608** · 01-06-2009, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by chevygurl

I agree with Crew, you should be getting different symptoms with passlock problems: the key camber wouldn't turn, no injectors, etc. The easiest way passlock gets incorrectl engaged in damage to the sensor on your key. Do you have a spare key to try?

The passlock system does not have a key sensor - It is based entirely in the tumbler. It has to be physically turned, no other requirements. If you can pick it, it is no help to stopping the theft. Having said that, when I tried installing remote start without a bypass, I engaged passlock multiple times. It would cut out the fuel before the truck would even start, and would always turn over with the key immediately afterwards.

So my thoughts are that the device you refer to could somehow be malfunctioning or something, because this does not sound like a passlock issue.

Good Luck!