Hi Guys, I have this 1997 Buick Skylark did a rebuild job on it about 20,000 miles ago and has been running great until the past 8 months. engine runs for 1 sec and I get this blinking anti thrift light, blinks 3 times, hold off for 1 min till the light stops blinking then try to restart. This was working for a few months then it goes into a constants flashing for 10 mins when it stops flashing i turn it off wate 40 sec then try it again. this worked for a few weeks.last time took 2-1/2 hours to start. I replace the Ignition Switch and Cylinder, stall the same problem, went thew all the relearn stuff nothing, all so sent the Instrument Cluster Panel in and had it check out. all was good there too. any one out there have any input on this. any thing else to try on this ?

Thanks

Skylark 97

A Work in progress

Did you replace the PassLock sensor or the ignition switch?

A code is usually set......was it cleared, like a B2958 or B2960? Need something like a Tech II scanner for this.....

I would be interested in knowing how the I/P was tested for this.....as far as I know there is no test, for testing the Security system in the I/P......if the PassLock sensor was replaced and you have good connections to the I/P, and you have the right data and voltages to the I/P, then the I/P has to be replaced......

Thanks tech for getting back to me on this.The car is in the shop, replaced the pass-lock sensor (ignition switch) and the I/P was sent out to a place that checks them out so they tell me.all codes where cleared. worked a few times but still gives the blinking light. i was reading something on alldata about pcm, was saying that all three work together, pass-lock, I/P and PCM. would you know if this is right? ill get back to you if i fined out any more. let me know what you think. thanks

Well, the PassLock sensor is not the ignition switch........the key goes into the lock cylinder.......the cylinder goes into the PassLock module.......the PL module slides into the ignition switch.....so did you replace the ignition switch or the PassLock module?

Basically, the Passlock module sends an R code to the I/P panel....when the panel receives it, it then sends a "fuel enable" signal to the PCM......if the PCM does not receive this signal, it will not fire the injectors.....

So yes, it could be a PCM problem(it would be rare), but if you have a bad circuit/connection between the I/P and the PCM, or the I/P does not send the fuel enable signal, the injectors will not be fired....

This is where guess work happens, if you don't have the proper diagnostic tool, like a Tech II, and the proper trouble tree for diagnosis....then it becomes guess work....

My paper work states Remove and replace ignition lock cylinder. Perform coding for the lock cylinder and for the pass-lock sensor. looks to me like they only replace the ignition lock cylinder.

how ever right after that they clam they started the car many times during that day with no problem until i came to pick it up and then it went into that anti theft mode. This place where i have the car at is pretty good. Their good people to work with and have state of the ark equipment at the shop. I believe this is a first time issue for them and there trying to trouble shoot it.

I will forward the info you sent me to them and see if this helps. I did not want to try this because of the equipment that is needed to complete the job. was a little over my head, but then again they are going into the same steps i would have gone with no tech II equipment to read the codes that need to be read.

Thanks for you input Tech II ill keep you posted..