Hi. My car is a 1998 Malibu, 3.1L Auto. The red "Theft System" dash light
is now lighting up after starting the car and driving for about 10 minutes.
It first came on this morning on the way to work, and I was kind of worried
that once I made it to work and shut the car off, I would not be able to
restart it. But it did restart with no problems. I do not have the manual
for this car, but the manual for my wifes 1997 Cavalier says that the car
will start normally, just that the Passlock system is not working properly.
Keeping in mind that this is for her Cavalier and not for my Malibu.

At one point, this car did have a remote starter installed and I can tell
that someone had tapped a wire into a few of the ignition wires on back of
the key switch. My guess is that one of the smaller wires used for the
Passlock system has come loose, but I would like to hear some other replies
first before I tear into the dash.

Thanks
Sharky

my theft light has been on for months. IF it flashes and won't start,
just turn key to on and let it sit until light goes to either steady or
off, then turn key to off position and to start to start the car. This
is a very very very common problem with these cars.

"Sharky" <cleighton (AT) NOSPAM (DOT) eastlink.ca> wrote


I have the exact issue w/ my 98 Malibu, which also had a remote starter
installed. Coincidently, I had a Cavalier just like you with the same issue,
however, the person who installed the remote starter did not installed the
anti theft gadget, and as a result the anti theft light stays on.

Here's my question.
Do you or anyone now how to get this light off?

"Devils Advocate" > wrote in message news:
snip

Passlock system is
The 'Theft System' dash light comes on sporadically.
I've never had the car not run properly. Like the booksays, the 'Theft
System' light indicates the Passlock systm isn't working correctly.
My manual says to reset the Passlock system, turn the key on, don't start
the car, wait 10 minutes.
This should reset the Passlock system. I've only done this once when the
light seemed to be staying on all the time.