1996 Impala SS Help

[Little6pack]

My friend has an '96 Impala SS.
Car was fine, with a strong battery. Battery was disconnected recently. When reconnected, car will not crank. Intrument panel goes through the self test when ignition is turned on, but will not crank.
Does the passkey need to be re-learned / re-programmed by the computer? If so, does anyone know how to do this? For example, a 1997 Silverado has to be put in neutral and the brake pedal pressed 3 times (intuitive). Again, the battery is strong, the cables are tight, and the key worked (started the car) before the battery was disconnected, so I doubt that it is a dirty key.

 

[azgn]

pretty sure the Imp SS folks have a web site.....that would be your best bet


let google be your friend!

 

[Little6pack]

I think he tried posting there & got no answer.

Seems like here the Buick guys are way more knowledgeble about alot of stuff & a very helpful bunch hangout here.

That say's something good about this board!

 

[petesgn]

Does the pass key indicator light on the dash come on ?

 

[Little6pack]

I think he mentioned the dash lights come on.

I will pass your question about the
"pass key indicator light on the dash come on."
to my friend & post back when I get a reply.

 

[NCTURBOS]

As stated above does the pass-key (security) light come on? Has the car been acting up in the recent past as far as it intermittently not starting when you turn the key but after you cycle it a few times it would start?

Those cars, as with most GM cars in the '90's with the pass-key setup are very well known for the ignition cylinder going bad. It has two very small guage wires that feed to the pass-key module. Those wires move back and forth everytime you cycle the key in the cylinder and causes them to frey apart and eventually break. If they break the car will not start because it goes into security mode.


K.

 

[Little6pack]

The only problem he noticed was the CHECK ENGINE light came on prior to this no start condition.

Thus someone told him to go disconnect & reconnect the battery.

Once he disconnected the battery cable & reconnected it the car would never start again.

 

[NCTURBOS]

Originally posted by littlesixsteve
The only problem he noticed was the CHECK ENGINE light came on prior to this no start condition.

Thus someone told him to go disconnect & reconnect the battery.

Once he disconnected the battery cable & reconnected it the car would never start again.

Well, I can tell you that it isn't a process of "relearning" the pass-key. All that "chip" in the key is, is a resistor and the module is set to that resistance. The newer cars/trucks have a key with a transponder in the head of it. They get programmed, but the pass-keys are set that way from the factory and there is no programming involved.

The "security" light is also amber just like the "ses" light. The engine doesn't even turn over or anything correct? But all electrical items (headlamps, radio, lighter, et.) work? If so, I bet on the ignition cylinder.


K.

 

[Little6pack]

Here was my friends reply:

When ignition is first turned on, the 'Passkey Fault' lamp illminates for
a second or two, then goes out (like most other lamps during the
instrument panel self test).

 

[petesgn]

It should illuminate for five sec then shut off



So your friends does not crank at all ?



I have a check chart for the pass key on this car but don't have a scanner but i can fax them to you tomorrow if you have access to a fax machine.

 

[Little6pack]

Sure Pete I will email you the FAX number. Thanks

 

[Chris Cornett]

I beleive the light should stay on for a few seconds even after the car starts.