Lumina security light

[Eric Wettschreck]

96 lumina, 3100 motor.

The security light on the dash has recently started coming on, then going off. It seems to be a random thing.

What does this light mean, and is it important????

Thanks.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I think this one is old enough it still has the lock cylinder with the two white wires for the security system. You should be ale to find the connector under the dash. Unplug it, put a key in the ignition, and check continuity. Monitor continuity as you rotate the key slowly to the start position. If it drops out either the resistor pallet is worn or the ignition switch is worn out. If it doesn't and you have tilt wheel move the steering wheel up and down a couple of times to see if loose continuity. If it does than one of the two white wires has or is just about broken.

Eventually the light will not go out and the car will not start.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Eventually the light will not go out and the car will not start.

I'm thinking that's a bad thing.

Thanks Jer

[Macgyver55]

Thats pretty much what it is Eric. If you have a spare key for it try that, (they can go bad) but more than likely the wires in the column are cracked and breaking from flexing with the tilt, or the cylinder is worn and not getting a good read on the chip.

If it is, and you want to avoid the installation of a new one, you can test your key resistance value then solder in a resistor of that same value, plug it into the harness and tie it up under the dash to fool the security system.

But it WILL quit starting at some point if you dont do something.

[Jeremy airjer W]

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...ted#Post2632636

[Eric Wettschreck]

Thanks for the info guys.

Stupid question......How does one test key resistance??? I test resistance on circuts on a regular basis but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around key resistance.

Thanks again guys. I'll be installing a jumper as this is just a back and forth to work car. Don't want to put too much $$ into it.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Measure resistance of the pellet from one side to the other.

[Eric Wettschreck]

OK, measured resistance. Got 9700 ohms. I looked on the interweb and saw my key should be 9530 ohms.

Went and got some resistors, soldered them together, and ended up with 9510 ohms. With the 2% fudge factor I'm thinking I'm good to go.

Tomorrow during arts and crafts (lunch time at work) I'll pull the harness and solder these bad boys in.

I'm assuming the security light should go off............correct?

[Macgyver55]

Did you also check your spare key?

As I said earlier, I have seen them go bad to the point of not working, so simply getting a "good" key could possibly solve the issue too.

Once its all hunky-dorie the light should go off for good.

[Scott K]

or not start

[Eric Wettschreck]

[delcecchi]

Just out of curiosity if you put the resistor in the harness do you have to take the one out of the key? Or don't the two mess with each other?

[Jeremy airjer W]

You will unplug the vehicle side from the tumbler side, it's usually under the dash. You then install the resisters in series on the vehicle side of the harness.

If you look at the picture of what I did I uses the connector from tumbler side of the harness to make my bypass resistor. Then I plugged it into the vehicle side.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Mac, yes I checked the spare key. Same results.

Installed the bypass yesterday and so far so good.

Side note- I'm not a real super big fan of bypassing stuff but this is a high milage, back and forth to work car. Nothing fancy, I just want it to stay alive a while longer without putting too much money into it. Also, it's mine and I'm not doing this for someone else.

[Macgyver55]

Side note- I'm not a real super big fan of bypassing stuff but this is a high mileage, back and forth to work car. Nothing fancy....

You are not really compromising anything much other than the ability of someone to steal it.

A thief would have to know that its been bypassed and would still have to break the column to steal it.

So, where is it going to be parked and what color is it????

[Eric Wettschreck]

Blue, my driveway or work parking lot. Do me a favor and take it.

Be a gent and leave me a box of beer, please.

[Jeremy airjer W]

It has to be white, the other colors have already been crushed!

[Scott K]

Most theives just have a gauge tester, and dial in the different resistances, until it starts. Well, that is the ones back then, when these cars were being stolen.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Yous guys have my permission to come to my place, have a few garage beers, shoot the bull a bit, and steal my car.

You'd be doing me a favor. I'll leave the key in it so you won't need any fancy schmancy electronic equipment.

[Scott K]

I may take you up on that offer and try to chase some ditch rats. Not to sure about the auto theft though.