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For 1990-2009 cars only

Passlock™ System

The Passlock™ System is provided in order to prevent vehicle theft if the ignition lock cylinder is forced to rotate or the ignition switch is operated while separated from the ignition lock cylinder case. If starting is attempted without authorization from the Passlock™ system, the powertrain control module (PCM) will disable the fuel injectors causing the engine to stall immediately after starting.

The components of the Passlock™ system are as follows:

    • The ignition lock cylinder and key
    • The ignition lock cylinder case including the Passlock™ Sensor
    • The ignition switch
    • The theft deterrent control module (Passlock™ Module)
    • The security indicator (on the instrument cluster)
    • The powertrain control module (PCM)

Ignition Lock Cylinder Case (Including the Passlock™ Sensor)

The ignition lock cylinder fits inside the ignition lock cylinder case and operates the ignition switch when turned by a key with the proper mechanical cut. When the ignition key is used to turn the ignition lock cylinder to crank (start), a magnet on the lock cylinder passes close to the Passlock sensor within the ignition lock cylinder case. The magnet activates the Security Hall Effect Sensor in the Passlock™ sensor which completes a circuit from the security sensor signal circuit through a resistor to the security sensor low reference circuit. The resistance value will vary from vehicle to vehicle.

If a magnet from outside of the ignition lock cylinder case is used to attempt to steal the vehicle, the Tamper Hall Effect Sensor will be activated. This completes a circuit from the security sensor signal circuit through a tamper resistor to the security sensor low reference circuit bypassing the security resistor. If the ignition switch is forced to rotate without the correct key, or if the ignition lock cylinder is removed by force, the Passlock™ sensor will be damaged and will not operate.

Ignition Switch

The ignition switch contains the wiring and electrical switching portion of the column mounted ignition assembly. The ignition switch includes wiring pigtails which connect it to the base of column connector, the Passlock Sensor on the ignition lock cylinder case, and other components. The wiring for the Passlock Sensor is unaffected by ignition switch position. The electrical switch portion is operated by the key and lock cylinder when they are rotated within the ignition lock cylinder case. The ignition switch operates the crank relay regardless of the status of the Passlock system.

Theft Deterrent Control Module (Passlock™ Module)

The theft deterrent control module (Passlock™ Module) contains the logic of the theft deterrent system. The Passlock™ Module provides the battery positive voltage to operate the Passlock™ sensor. The Passlock™ Module also measures the voltage of the security sensor signal circuit. The voltage measured will indicate whether the Passlock™ sensor has been activated and whether the resistance value from the sensor is a valid value or the tamper value. If voltage measured is in the valid range, the Passlock™ Module compares this voltage (voltage code) to a previously learned voltage code. If the voltage codes match, the Passlock™ Module sends a class 2 message containing a password to the PCM. If the voltage codes do not match, or the voltage is in the Tamper range, or there is a circuit fault, the Passlock™ Module will not send the correct password to the PCM, and the vehicle will not start.

Powertrain Control Module

The powertrain control module (PCM) contains the remainder of the logic of the theft deterrent system. If a class 2 message containing a valid password is received from the Passlock™ Module, the PCM will continue to allow the fuel injectors to operate. The PCM will allow the fuel injectors to operate until it decides there is no valid password coming from the Passlock™ Module. If the PCM does not receive a class 2 message, or receives a class 2 message with an incorrect password, the engine will crank and will not run or will start and stall immediately.

Theft System Indicator

The IPC illuminates the SECURITY indicator as determined by the vehicle theft deterrent (VTD) system.

The VTD system requests the IPC to illuminate the indicator only when the ignition switch is ON. The VTD system uses the indicator as a malfunction indicator.

Fuel Lockout Cycle

When it receives a password which is incorrect or a password which indicates tamper and the PCM disables the fuel injectors, the fuel injectors remain disabled for [TBD minutes/seconds] even if the ignition switch is turned from the RUN position to the OFF position.

Changing the Passlock™ Components

The following components contain codes or passwords, or must learn codes or passwords for the Passlock™ system to allow the vehicle to start:

    • The ignition lock cylinder case
    • The theft deterrent control module (Passlock™ Module)
    • The powertrain control module (PCM)

If any of these parts are replaced, a learn procedure must be performed. Refer to . If parts are replaced and a learn procedure is not performed, the engine will crank and will not run or will start and stall immediately.