I repaired the problem myself. It seems that the theft deterrent module will lock out the ignition system if the ignition key becomes too worn, or the key cylinder gets too sloppy. The really irritating thing about the whole deal, was that the relearn process Chevrolet gave me for the theft deterrent module did not work. I finally figured it out for myself, with the help of a few people that I know in the automotive repair business. The Impala has been working perfectly since, Thank God for small favors. Here's the TDM relearn sequence that worked for me:

Insert ignition key, turn to crank position and then back one click to run. Security light will flash 6 times and then flash to battery. This will continue for about 9 min. 35sec. At this time security light and battery light will flash alternately. Repeat process two more times, takes about 30 minutes. The fourth time you hit the crank position, the car will start.

This problem w/ the car not starting has happened at least 1/2 dozen times. My husband takes the car to the train station during the week, luckily it hasn't happened

at the station. It happened to me this past Sunday- I was at my brother-in-law's house

and went to start the car to go home and got nothing. I waited at least an hour and still

nothing. My husband reset the FOB the next day- and so far so good, but I know it' s

going to happen again. We need to contact someone at Chevy, but I don't know who.

The security light will intermittently come on and today it flashed when I tried to start the car and the car would not even try to turn over. After waiting 30 minutes (while sitting in a Walmart parking lot), I tried again and the security light flashed for a while then was lit up solid (no flash)and the car decided to start. I can't have this car not start immediately when I get behind the wheel! We have had this problem occur twice before in the last year. I took it to a dealership to get it checked out, and the service guy told me that it could be the Body Control Module, the ignition switch or some other sensor. He could not be sure what it was and advised me to continue driving the car and monitor the problem. I did a lot of research on the internet tonight and found that a vast number of Impala owners from about 1997-2005 models were having the exact or a very similar problem. The consensus among most postings was that GM should issue a recall on this problem. I agree 100%! GM should stand behind this obvious design flaw and do the right thing for their customers.

Yeah so my security light is coming on while driving along normally. This isn't the first time, it does the same crap every year on the year or close to. First time was 13 Oct 2005, second time was 27 Oct 2006, and then it's starting to do it again now on the 17th of November 2007. I had it fixed the first two times for $515-575. It's like its programed to break every year or something. I really like everything about my car but this is just too much. Apparently its fairly common and with GM being in such dire competition you'd think they'd take care of their customers to keep their business. This makes me want to buy nothing but foreign cars from now on.

I am having the same symptoms as everyone else, and do not want to be taken by the dealerships. If their solution does not work, they just say oh well give me some more money and we will try something else, not we will rplace the new part with the old one and not charge you and try something else. There are machines out there that can tell you what is wrong with your vehicles computer system, but if they fix it right off the bat, they would make less money. Everyone says there should be a recall for this problem, and I agree, but what does this website do with the complaints everyone has? Do they forward them to the proper auto manufacturers or do they just list them here so everyone else can see someone else is having the same problems as they are? If there are enough complaints sent in on a problem, a recall should be done, or send them to some sort of a agency to force the recall.

Continuing ignition failure problems for 3 years. Security light comes on and can't start engine. Have recoded innumerable times, replaced ignition cylinder, BCM, Sensor Assemblies, connectors, etc over time. Problem continues - next step will be to replace Power Control Module as suggested by another victim which has actually corrected his problem and not had an ignition failure in over a year. Have called GM and asked for assistance and issuance of recall notice. Also asked for compensation on all efforts so far and next repair. GM has a major design and component failure problem here and should find a permanent fix at THEIR COST!

This inability to start the car after the security light has gone on has happened to me twice so far, making me late for work once, and it now looks to me to be more of a problem than I thought. This is just the latest of the many electrical problems I have had with this car, and it is starting to get old. Once one thing gets fixed, something new comes up soon after. I have had this car for six-plus years now, and I have had continuous electrical problems. I want to know what the answer is instead of trying expensive ideas to fix what they think may be the problem. I know that I need a new body control module, and hopefully that is the answer. By the way, I think it is really unfair for the dealership to be the only one to be able to reprogram this electrical stuff at $80-100 a pop.

I have the same passlock problem that so many Impala owners (mine is a 2000) seem to be having. It started happening occasionally at about 95,000 miles and has gotten progressively worse -- three times last week. I'm a senior citizen and it is hard enough for me to deal with a car that I no longer feel I can depend on, and more so because my husband's medical conditions make it imperative that we have a car that will start when we need it. It seems to me GM should be issuing recalls with so many people complaining about this problem. I've never driven anything but a Chevrolet, and I love the look and design of my 2000 Impala, but this is making me give serious thought to something else.

Gees I am so happy to know that I am not the only person that is having a problem with this security passlock system. I refuse to pay the money for them to reset it, so hopefully I am not sitting somewhere for 20 minutes with this problem. Of course the stupid manual tells you to wait until the security light goes off, but as we all know that crap doesnt work. I have just started to leave my car running if I know that I am not going to be long in certain places just to prevent from sitting somewhere waiting on my car to decide that it want to start. The most I have sat somewhere so far was about 10 min. and hopefully thats it. They really need to fix this problem with these Impala's.

CALL this number 1-800-222-1020 and let them know about your car not starting. It is Chevrolets customer help number and the more calls the better. This needs to be recalled. Waiting 15-20 minutes for my car to start is getting really old... especially when it happens randomly. I took it to a dealer and they said they have this a lot and its 395 to fix. It's a safety hazard and should be recalled! The more we call the better.. so spread the word. I have 2 friends with 2001 impalas and it happens to them too. Its a wrong code in the passlock and only dealers can reset it, but it costs you an arm and a leg.

"Nice" to see others with same problem as I had. The dealership replaced the ignition switch. This resolved the problem for about 6 months. Then once again the same problem, except this time the ignition switch was locked and I was unable to turn the ignition once the key was inserted. Dealership was very kind, and replaced it once again, this time under a warranty.. HOW FRIGGEN DECENT. I believe the first time it cost me around 450.00... I am to believe that now after many more months have passed the dealer is probably entitled to tell me to screw off and pay for the repair once again... (Should that be the problem ).. Why pay again??? The FRIGGEN security light comes on intermittently. Thank god I am able to start my car.... for now. Perhaps come electrical tape over the "computer" display screen would avoid my wife some asking.... Whats that light dear !!! (GRUNT).....

Earlier this year, my car just died. It wasn't the battery or alternator. So, we bought a new starter. Still wouldn't start. The AAA shop towed it and after diagnostics determined the fuse box needed to be replaced. They didn't charge the diagnostic fee! THANK GOD! Months later, at any time, the fuel gauge will drop to 'E' which makes the low fuel light come on. The Security light comes on at any time. The check engine light comes on when it feels like it. Just 2 years ago that check engine light cost me almost $1100 because the oxygen sensor had to be replaced. A note on that: the dealer told me $200-$300 to replace, but the service department messed up the catalytic converter and I got stuck with another $600 charge (they could have told me before they did it!). Anywho, the check engine light goes off and on. After starting up the car, you hear the ringing sound that lets you know your car door is open, even though the car door is closed. It's scary because I don't know if/when the car is going to cut off on me again. I like my car for it's size, but GM has definitely turned me to foreign cars.