Security Light
 

My security light just came on this morning in my 94 SE. I don't think I even have security. Is this something I can clear by just disconnecting the battery? I saw a similiar post for a 2000 SE, but I think this a little different.

Have you got the little resistor chip in your ignition key? If the light comes on, it might be because the resistor chip isn't making solid contact in the ignition switch. If the connection is good enough to get the car started, but then fails later while you're driving, the light will come on, although the car won't shut itself down.

It gets to be a bigger problem if the resistor chip doesn't make a connection when you first put the key in, because then the car won't start at all...

Try your spare key instead, if you have one, and see if the problem goes away.

I'm going to try placing a resistor on the wires underneath the dash to bypass the wires leading to the ignition. If that doesn't work I think I'm going to have to get a new lock cylinder and key. Hopefully I can get this fixed before it disables the ignition!

Andy,
You just described a problem that I was going to ask about.
Turned the key the other day, dash lights up, all accessories come on but car won't start. After a couple of tries she fires up and everthing seems OK but security light stays on. It did this a couple of times during the day so I cleaned the resistor in the key with contact cleaner and it seems fine now.
Previous owner of this car had a key made with the wrong resistor in it. If you try to start the car with it it will disable it for about 5 minutes.
ZZZZZEKE I think the best bet is to try cleaning the key or have another one made like Andy says.
Jim

The mad scientist (My father, ASE certified for 25 years) and I did a little ohms test on both sets of my keys and they seem to be fine. He thinks there are two wires inside the lock cylinder that are frayed. I'll keep you updated...Should be done Thursday night.

Well, the resistance of the key chips shouldn't change, but if the contact pads wear or get dirty, you'll lose the connection(s) of the circuit through the key. If that happens while you're driving, the worst that'll happen is that your Security light comes on, but if that happens when you're trying to start the car, you won't be going anywhere.

The two wires going up to the lock cylinder (and back down again) are enclosed in an orange sleeve, according to what the installation manual for my remote starter universal bypass kit says. I haven't gone looking for them myself yet...

FInally got the car fixed. One of the wires behind the lock cylinder frayed and broke apart. We ended up putting a new lock cylinder and key. Soldering the other wires was not an option. Car starts and no security light!

You didn't happen to take any pics of the damage, did you?

sorry no pics at this time, all that happened was one of the two white wires connected to the lock cylinder frayed apart. These wires read and transmit the ohms read from the vatts in the key. I can possibly get pics up beginning of next week.

I had the same problem Silver 96 had a few times but not recently. I don't know maybe, fixed itself. Since we are on the subject, is it normal for my security light to remain on approx 5-10minutes after starting vehicle?