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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I have a question for you guys. I was servicing my recently purchased 2006 impala lt with 3.5 v6 and when I removed the airbox to expose the tcm and pcm I found a small 40 amp relay laying in the box next to the pcm. It wasn't labeled and as a gm tech I never saw a relay in this location. Does anyone know what this relay might have been added for? I don't like messing with things that aren't broken but I'm also very picky about not having aftermarket accessories.

Thanks, Zack
 

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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
@Hal0persin If you look at the Relay does one of the Wires go to the ECM in the box Blue harness? If it does then I would have to think as it was stated before that it was for an Aftermarket Remote start system.. IF the person left the Relay in the airbox, and didn't give you a Remote start remote I would take a look at the rest of your wiring under the dash. HOWEVER before you do that I would try one thing before thinking you didn't get a remote to start your car... In some cases they could have used a T harness system for your RS, This system would use your Factory Remote.. Press the LOCK button 3 times in a row, Not really fast but not really slow either lol. It should honk the horn and then on the 3 press should turn the parking lights on and then start the car.

If that happens you know the RS kit is still in now just knowing what it is, is the trick. If a good Installer did it, It could be hard to find the Module as it will look like factory wiring.. Even still may be able to look under dash and find the Module. Then you can look it up and see what features it offers. In some cases it is just basic RS and offers nothing special but standard RS. In other cases it could offer the ability to do many different things...

If you find a Box and can't find any info. Post a Pic and I will try and help you with info for the System.. Also in some cases the installer will put a Switch under dash or could be hidden as part of a Valet switch. IF it is off it won't start the car by remote...

IF no switch, and it don't Start with 3 lock presses, I would for sure look under the dash and make sure if they took out the system, that they didn't leave open wires everywhere under the dash... I have seen some pretty bad things in my years of Mobile Electronics. For some it is a blessing because the wiring has been exposed and when making a new install of a RS makes it faster to do the install. However not having one installed and doing something else. Could be a Installers nightmare because lets say you came in to have some Fog Lamps installed and maybe some Neon ground effects. Once a new installer touches the car if they don't repair what was already done before the car came in the new owner may not know it was like that and may think it was left by the person that did the lights...

Look forward to hearing what you find
James
Well James the vehicle has a factory key fob with remote start and it also has trunk release and panic button. It looked factory to me. If it is an aftermarket system I will remove it and go to the dealership I used to work at and have the factory remote start setup it's as simple as a set of fobs and a reprogramming job. I will check the rpo codes and see if it had remote start frof the factory.

Thanks, Zack
 

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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
I just checked my rpo codes and I have ap3 so it is a factory remote start. I couldn't get it to start with 3 pushes of the lock button so I guess there hasn't been any aftermarket one installed. What could this relay be then? I'm wondering what it is. I get like 3 beeps when I start the car that don't sound factory but I might be wrong. I'm just concerned because during my time as a technician aftermarket accessories caused me more headaches than I care to remember.
 

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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
I just got done removing it. The person who put it in just cut the starter relay wire and put a relay in the circuit on the normally closed terminal. Basically when the circuit is energized it opens the Relay. I have not seen this before and couldn't find it in the wiring diagrams I have access to as a professional technician. I guess they had a computer continually cranking and it scared them. Just another case of someone who didn't know what they were doing messing with a car. Thanks again for the help guys!
 

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Discussion Starter · #17 ·
Well after following the Wires into the firewall and inside the car I found out what it actually was. It was a GPS tracker and starter kill. I guess one of the previous dealers or owners installed it. It was a total hack job but I was able to remove it and repair the damage done by the idiot who installed it. My key fobs started working better and had the range I thought I never would. Im an auto technicIan by trade so I've seen my fair share of this crap but it still makes me mad.
 
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