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Dead in the water

3K views 28 replies 9 participants last post by  U.Nanimous 
#1 ·
Hello everyone ,
Although I am new to the forums, I've been using them for quite some time now. I find them to be a wealth of helpful information.
I have a situation that seems similar to many other posts..sort of. Please allow me to recap:
I have a 2003 Impala LS with a 3.8. This past weekend I tore down the top of the engine to replace the lower intake manifold gaskets. Not a difficult task, but time consuming for me because I'm sort of anal when it come to organization. I removed all the parts required to get the lower intake off. All the while taking pics as to have reference for reassembly.
Everything went as expected and I have all parts back in their place. I replaced the upper intake, cleaned the throttle body, new plugs, wires, etc. I reconnected the battery, refilled the radiator, and double checked all wiring. I turned the ignition and could hear the fuel pump refilling the injector lines. Beyond that, nothing happens. Not even a click and battery is fully charged. I have googled everything in regards to the pass lock security system. I have tried the 10 minute reset. I've triple checked under the hood in case I missed something. Don't get me wrong, I like a good challenge. Now I'm reaching out for help. What am I missing here?
FYI, I do have an after market remote starter installed.
Thanks
 
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#2 ·
I moved to the correct section. You posted this in a section that deals with issues you are having with this site.

Please be sure to post questions in the designated categories. Thanks and hope you get some help here.
 
#5 ·
Hmm - that is a tough one. Hopefully someone that is more familiar with the pass-lock stuff can chime in to confirm whether or not is sounds like it may be related to passlock. I just don't know too much about it myself.

Please keep us updated - hopefully someone with some more insight will pop in to help out as well...

Sent from my HP SlateBook 10 x2 PC using Tapatalk
 
#6 ·
Do you get the cycling lights in the Message Center or is it just showing one light or no lights?
 
#10 ·
That doesn't sound like passlock, "security" would be flashing 6 times before it switches to something else, and that something else should only be "battery". And if you didn't mess with the ignition switch/passlock sensor or BCM you have a different problem. I assume remote start (which bypasses passlock) doesn't work either, but that's also not likely your problem.

The fact that you can't communicate and the engine light is on is pointing to another direction, follow it. Verify the scanner works on another car.

And of course, double check all your work.
 
#9 ·
Did you have to disconnect the Main Harness?
 
#11 ·
The CEL will illuminate key in engine off.. It's the bulb test.. I'm thinking there is a power break between the Alternator and the Starter or a bad ground.
 
#14 ·
I didn't touch the ignition switch,passlock system or bmc unit. The remote starter with bypass doesn't work as well. I spoke to tech support for the code reader and was told the car needs to be running in order to retrieve a code. Of the the instructions say to plug in the unit and turn key to on position, but not start the car. Strange!
I can't imagine the starter all of the sudden has failed?
 
#16 ·
I recommend removing that remote starting system. If I didnt have that detail I would guess you have an adtermarket alarm thats preventing the engine from starting. Happened to me once... Car sat for weeks after bodyshop repairs..Than went to the dealer.... Than they told me to simply remove the Clifford G5 and wallah... It started right up. So ask them to remove it to rule that out before escalating.
 
#18 ·
This^^^^! Aftermarket alarms have a way of not playing nice at some of the most annoying times.

Did you disconnect the battery before doing all your work? Never mind, you didn't say you disconnected it but you did say after that you reconnected it.
 
#19 ·
I always got "Service Engine Soon" in the cycle..
 
#24 ·
Sorry "Service Vehicle Soon"
Just went out and checked...battery for about 5 seconds then "security" for about 5 seconds and repeat. Sounds like you got something wrong with the car unless they changed the sequence between our build dates. When I had a passlock issue "security" blinked 6 times instead of being solid in that sequence, and that was the only difference other than the car not starting. The blinking means the car knows there is a fault in the passlock system but still prevents you from starting the car.

@Scott, have you tried running a wire directly to the starter to see if it will run? You just have to make light contact for a instant to know if it's burnt out.
 
#20 ·
Sorry "Service Vehicle Soon"
 
#21 ·
This issue will come down to the battery connections or the connections to the starter or to the alternator..
 
#25 ·
Have you tried starting it in Neutral instead of Park?
 
#28 ·
I wouldn't call it much of an upgrade lol, I needed something bigger with 4 kids and ended up getting a 2011 Dodge Journey Mainstreet, only because I couldn't find a reasonably priced Tahoe or Yukon with low mileage. The Journey's price was right, the mileage was a low and it still had it's powertrain warranty. Good thing it had the powertrain warranty though because after I put 7000 miles on it, it spun a cam bearing which resulted in a new engine. Don't have any pics but it looks just like this down to the color
 
#29 ·
I wouldn't call it much of an upgrade lol, I needed something bigger with 4 kids and ended up getting a 2011 Dodge Journey Mainstreet, only because I couldn't find a reasonably priced Tahoe or Yukon with low mileage. The Journey's price was right, the mileage was a low and it still had it's powertrain warranty. Good thing it had the powertrain warranty though because after I put 7000 miles on it, it spun a cam bearing which resulted in a new engine.
Yeah, 2 adults and 4 kids just won't fit in an Impala anymore and its tight with just 1 adult if you need to use child seats.
6 kids here, 2005 Venture - awesome van! Of course we bought it in 2009 at 48k miles and now our oldest has moved out so we're down to 5 but I'm keeping it until its ready for the junkyard.
 
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