2000 Buick LeSabre - Security Light Intermittently On

[brick3]

Hello all, I have a 2000 Buick LeSabre Limited with 91,500 miles.
Seems every other time starting the vehicle the security light comes on and stays lit. I have let it run for hours with no issue of it turning itself off or anything.

Has anyone had any issue like this, or could give me any pointers?

Thanks so much.

 

[MelsRegal]

Do you have more than one key and if so does it do this with both of them?
You have a Pass-key III system which uses a chip in the key that a receiver recognizes.
It could potentially lock the security system and prevent starting of the car.
You could research the various bypass methods/products.

 

[brick3]

Do you have more than one key and if so does it do this with both of them?
You have a Pass-key III system which uses a chip in the key that a receiver recognizes.
It could potentially lock the security system and prevent starting of the car.
You could research the various bypass methods/products.

No, I bought this vehicle a couple months ago and the only key provided was a "valet" key. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the issue.

 

[MelsRegal]

Yes, you need the correct key.

 

[brick3]

Yes, you need the correct key.

So you think it just needs a new key programmed or switch is possibly bad?

 

[patcal]

Page 2-3 of the 2000 LeSabre owners manual says the following:

"Both the master and VALET key have a transponder embedded into the key for security and vehicle theft
deterrence. The keys also come with a bar code tag. Keep the bar code tag in a safe place. If you lose your
key, you will be able to have a new one made using the bar code tag. The replacement key must have a vehicle
theft deterrent system transponder embedded in it."

So the valet key should be fine with the security system. If it was me, I would get the proper master key cut first.

 

[imidazol97]

You can get the transponder PK3 keys cut at hardware stores like Ace and Do It Best around here.

BUT your problem is going to be, I think, that to teach the computer that it's a good master key, you have to first insert a black master key, turn it to ON until the security light goes out, remove, and insert the newly cut black key. When you turn that new key to ON, it is then registered as a valid code for the transponder.

Is there a workaround to not having a black master key to insert? Or does this one have to be done by a dealer or a locksmith with a computer that can tell the car's computer this is a legitimate key for use?

 

[-Regal-]

I'm only familiar with the earlier VATS system, but once the car is started it will not shut off regardless of whether the correct key is detected or not.

Are you ever having trouble starting the car though? The system can be bypassed with a device of the correct resistance (which sounds like it can be variable in this later system, though to do this job sounds like you'd need a resistance already registered with the system) soldered in place.

I came across this: DEI 555G Passkey III Immobilizer Bypass Module Directed Electronics NEW 93207055577 | eBay Saw other ones too.

 

[brick3]

I'm only familiar with the earlier VATS system, but once the car is started it will not shut off regardless of whether the correct key is detected or not.

Are you ever having trouble starting the car though? The system can be bypassed with a device of the correct resistance (which sounds like it can be variable in this later system, though to do this job sounds like you'd need a resistance already registered with the system) soldered in place.

I came across this: DEI 555G Passkey III Immobilizer Bypass Module Directed Electronics NEW 93207055577 | eBay Saw other ones too.

No issues starting vehicle.

 

[-Regal-]

No issues starting vehicle.

That's strange. I can't imagine why it would be coming on then, especially when running. If it's on it's not detecting the correct resistance, but if that were the case trying to start the car; it wouldn't start. The earlier VATS system sucked because the resistor on the key was exposed, could (and did) fall out, and could be damaged.

 

[brick3]

That's strange. I can't imagine why it would be coming on then, especially when running. If it's on it's not detecting the correct resistance, but if that were the case trying to start the car; it wouldn't start. The earlier VATS system sucked because the resistor on the key was exposed, could (and did) fall out, and could be damaged.

The light comes on about 50% of the time. It shows as soon as the vehicle is started, sometimes lol. One morning it will come on and I will immediately shut the car down and restart and light is off.

 

[imidazol97]

Maybe I'm confused, but this car does NOT have a resistance chip.

I had a 1998 leSabre with the Passkey II with the little black chip in the key that was visible and was a resistor. There were something like 14 different resistances and the little, fine wires broke one-by-one in the column where the tilt adjustment flexed the little wires. That changed the resistance and so people had trouble with the resistance not reading right when the computer read the key when it was inserted and turned. The easy fix was to cut the wires between the upper left floorboard and the steering column and insert a permanent resistance made up from resistors from Radio Shack OR from a place that did car alarms where they used resistors to bypass the car's own security system.

The PK3 key has a transponder inside the head of the key that reacts when a radio signal is sent by a transmitter next to the lock cylinder. The energy from that radio signal stimulates the transponder to sends its code. If the car recognized the code as one of the ten it can store as valid keys, then the computer says this key is allowed to start the car.

I searched further and found that some say the 3 ten-minute On cycles with less than a minute between them will permit the new black master key to be added as a permissible key code. Note that any other keys will not be remembered after this cycle is run; all 10 memories will be redone.

Other places on the net I found said that a new black PK3 key can be learned using the 3 ten-minute erase cycles. So this one from Cardone seemed like a good post to support that technique to avoid the dealership or a locksmith with a Tech II or a current GM high level scanner.

Be sure to go to the Passkey III section.

Good luck with getting a working key.

Also does anyone know how the transponder in a Valet key fits into this process? Does the Valet key have to be relearned after the first key is setup with the 3 ten-minute method? Or are Valet transponders a "generic" permitted code?

http://my.cardone.com/techdocs/PT 77-0011.pdf

 

[brick3]

Maybe I'm confused, but this car does NOT have a resistance chip.

I had a 1998 leSabre with the Passkey II with the little black chip in the key that was visible and was a resistor. There were something like 14 different resistances and the little, fine wires broke one-by-one in the column where the tilt adjustment flexed the little wires. That changed the resistance and so people had trouble with the resistance not reading right when the computer read the key when it was inserted and turned. The easy fix was to cut the wires between the upper left floorboard and the steering column and insert a permanent resistance made up from resistors from Radio Shack OR from a place that did car alarms where they used resistors to bypass the car's own security system.

The PK3 key has a transponder inside the head of the key that reacts when a radio signal is sent by a transmitter next to the lock cylinder. The energy from that radio signal stimulates the transponder to sends its code. If the car recognized the code as one of the ten it can store as valid keys, then the computer says this key is allowed to start the car.

I searched further and found that some say the 3 ten-minute On cycles with less than a minute between them will permit the new black master key to be added as a permissible key code. Note that any other keys will not be remembered after this cycle is run; all 10 memories will be redone.

Other places on the net I found said that a new black PK3 key can be learned using the 3 ten-minute erase cycles. So this one from Cardone seemed like a good post to support that technique to avoid the dealership or a locksmith with a Tech II or a current GM high level scanner.

Be sure to go to the Passkey III section.

Good luck with getting a working key.

Also does anyone know how the transponder in a Valet key fits into this process? Does the Valet key have to be relearned after the first key is setup with the 3 ten-minute method? Or are Valet transponders a "generic" permitted code?

http://my.cardone.com/techdocs/PT 77-0011.pdf

Thank you very much for all your helpful information. It seems that I need to get a black master key first, I suppose the "valet" key isn't the best to try to re-learn the system.

 

[Jkwheels]

The light comes on about 50% of the time. It shows as soon as the vehicle is started, sometimes lol. One morning it will come on and I will immediately shut the car down and restart and light is off.

My 2000 Lesabre is doing same thing. But sometimes it does stall?

 

[G-356455]

Hello all, I have a 2000 Buick LeSabre Limited with 91,500 miles.
Seems every other time starting the vehicle the security light comes on and stays lit. I have let it run for hours with no issue of it turning itself off or anything.

Has anyone had any issue like this, or could give me any pointers?

Thanks so much.

i do now