I have a stock security system on my 1998 Camaro Z28. I have not changed anything about it in the 9 years I have owned the car. For some reason the yellow security light (on the instrument panel) is staying on now . The alarm seems to be working properly as always. There is nothing in the owners manual that I can find to explain why the light is now staying on. Does anyone know why this light is staying on?? Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated.

J. B. McPherson

 

Does the engine start? I'm assuming it does.

I have a factory service manual for a 1999 car, I'd imagine they are similar (or the same). Here's what it says:

Step 1 - Disconnect the body control module (BCM) connector C3, turn the ignition switch to the RUN position. Does the security light come on? If so, go to step #2, if not, go to step #3

Step 2 - Inspect for a short to ground on circuit 728 between the BCM connector C3 terminal C12 and the instrument cluster connector terminal B3

Step 3 - Perform a lock cylinder and harness test. Refer to Ignition Lock Cylinder Test. If the keys, the lock cylinder, and the cylinder harness are OK, replace the BCM.

Unfortunately it looks like you need GM service equipment to perform the ignition lock cylinder test. If there's no short in the wiring between the BCM and the instrument cluster, it's very likely something with the PASS-II chip in your key, or the lock cylinder or the associated wiring.

 

I had a similar problem with my 94, security light always stayed on. Finally something happened (I think the wiring in the steering column broke) and the car wouldn't start anymore. I ended up taking out the control module that detects the PASS Key resistor and re-wiring without it. But the security light still stayed on, no matter how I wired it. I finally ended up taking out the control panel and removing the light behind the security message. Might have been a bit extreme, but that light really annoyed me after driving around with for a year or so.

 

The security light on the panel has nothing to do with the alarm system. What it's telling you is there's a problem with the car recognizing the pelet value in the key. First thing I'd do is try cleaning the key, trying the spare. If it turns out to be a VATS/Passkey problem you can replace the lock cylinder, repair broken wiring, or bypass it with a resistor.