Anyone with the passlock problem can be fixed for about $5 and a little bit of time and know how. Bypass the passlock sensor and you will have no more trouble with it. I bypassed mine, and have no problem since. If you would like info, send me a message and I will help you fix if you are interested. (if you do not know anything about electrical, I will be unable to help as this involves electrical modification.)

Update from Jun 8, 2009: I am also one of the ones that have had problems with GM's passlock system, but I have since come up with 2 solutions which require very little money for the first and for the second, a little electrical knowledge. This may be helpful to some of you people as i have been trouble free since have done this myself and continue to do so. First go to your local automotive store or electronics store as you need to get a can of contact cleaner and a dry lube as well (liquid wrench PTF i do believe) this type of lube does not go thick nor does it attract dust. Spray the cleaner into the ignition but not too much at a time, do it in small bursts and then let it sit for a couple of seconds. Immediately spray a small amount of lub in right after followed by inserting and removing the key a few times. If this does not work,. then there is a way to disable the passlock all together and the is by removing the ignition and looking for a yellow wire, cut this wire and install a switch , mount the spdt (switch) anywhere you like in the dash and all you have to do is flip the switch to start and when it starts the passlock will come one, flip it off again and the light will go off again. You area also able to use a relay so it would be like you never did anything at all if you wire the relay to the correct point at which i will not say as i have not looked that far into it yet.

e-mail me if you would like more info.

Same problem as everyone else. The problem has gotten worse though. Before, I could just wait in the car for about 10 minutes and it would start, but now it will not start and my battery will get drained down if I don't disconnect the battery. I have seen the head lights would not turn off, the dome light would not shut off. The radio would not work, the locks would click, the truck unlatched all by itself. Right now the car is parked and not being used. If I need to drive it, I connect the battery cable, do my running without shutting the car off, get it back home and disconnect the battery.

I have had nothing but problems with my 2002 Impala. I go out to start the car and it won't start. It's really embarrassing especially when you are at a gas pump and can't move for 10 minutes. I have figured out that if you get out of the vehicle do not open the doors again for 10 minutes or it won't reset. If you are in the vehicle you need to sit for 10 minutes and wait. I cannot afford to have the problem fixed by the looks of the cost. I am a single mom and rely on my vehicle a lot. I am glad to see that I am not the only one with this pain in the ass problem. Obviously Chevy needs to upgrade their parts????? I would love to get into the lawsuit if anyone has any info about it.

I had the same problem for the past 2 month with my 2002 impala they replace bcm they told me the was no more problem the same night it did it again brought it back to the dealers they found it was the pass lock sensor or key cylinder they replaced that now it works great it's been almost two weeks. this is what happen on October 30/07 i sent my 9 year old son to get the baby seat out of the car he put the key in the ignition did not start the car then he jumped in the back seat to get the car seat he heard the car start then the car went into revers he started crying and he was scared the car started backing up slowly he opened the back door and jumped out the drove backward about a block as if it had a mind of its own that is the other problem i had then i call gm's head office the are investigating it

Same problem as others... Turn key and car does nothing... Security light flashes along with battery light when the ignition is on. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL???? Very frustrating when you have 4 kids in the car telling you what the problem is!!!! Unbelievable that GM overlooks a problem like this when so many have this issue... At least offer a simple override for the customers... If this problem does not get addressed by GM I will take my car in for trade in to a GM dealer and say nothing about it... Hopefully they will have some used Ford in the lot to trade for....

This car ran with no problems up until two months ago when it started showing the Security light and randomly refusing to turn over. When we took it to the dealer they recommended replacing the BCM and ignition switch for a whopping $1000. Hell no. After reading up on the problem we found a report by GM which describes the following:

"Security Light On, Engine Will Not Crank, Diagnostic Trouble Codes B2958 and/or B2960 (Repair Poor Terminal Connections at Body Control Module - Models: 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo Condition Some customers may comment on an engine that will not crank. Others may comment on the security light being on. Technicians may find DTCs (diagnostic trouble codes) B2958 and/or B2960. Cause: These conditions may have several different causes. In each case, however, testing of the BCMs (BodyControl Modules) replaced for these conditions are frequently found to be operating to specifications and are believed to have been replaced needlessly. A change was made to the BCM hardware in February of 2003. An updated BCM can be identified by a GMAN169 or higher number found on the BCM part label. This hardware change was made to prevent the remote possibility that a BCM, built after the GMAN169 number, could be the cause of these conditions. Correction: The following are the likely causes of these conditions: 1. Damaged or loose/unseated terminals in these BCM connectors may cause a security light or no start condition: ^ BCM connector C1 (24-way, pink in color), terminal B9 (white wire, circuit 1459) ^ BCM connector C1 (24-way, pink in color), terminal B12 (black wire, circuit 1835) ^ BCM connector C2 (24-way, grey in color), terminal A3 (yellow wire, circuit 1836)

So, this is a known GM issue and your dealer should read this report as well so that they do not overcharge you.

I'm having the same problem as everyone else. My car sometimes starts ... sometimes doesn't. I've tried all the recommendations about leaving the key in the ignition for a certain amt of time. Sometimes it works ... somtimes it doesn't. There have been times my husband and I did get my car to start but the lights keep flashing but radio doesn't turn on. I also don't think my air conditioning works at that moment either. I also have a problem with my turn signals not working all the time. I know that's a separtate complaint but I thought I've voice my opinion now. My automatic door locks aren't working either. Car was great up until this and I'm furious to hear that Chevy won't stand behind the problem and do the recall. I'm not going to spend $700.00 to try and get my car fixed if Chevy won't guarantee that will fix it. THEY MUST DO A RECALL!!!!

Whew.... I am so glad I am not the only one who has encountered this problem. One day out of the blue in mid August, the '02 Impala just died. The warning signs were there but I did not know they were warning signs..... almost inaudible clicking noises from the dash, the "Security" warning light briefly making its presence know in quick flashes upon starting and the keyless fob working intermittently (sp?). At the end of the work day in Phoenix (still 110+ degrees), the car would not start. Jumping did not help. I called my brother, took the battery out and I took it back to where I bought it from since it was still under warranty. I reinstalled the battery and the car started fine. The next day, the car died again in traffic after the A/C was turned on. Took the battery out again and the store was very understanding in giving me a second battery in two days. This got me thinking, "Could it be the alternator?" I replaced the alternator ($167.00 plus $30.00 for friend's labor and $20.00 for belt tool) and the car ran fine for about four days. However, during that time, the same warning signs started appearing again. On the fourth day..... dead again. The power source worked for a few minutes allowing me enough time to close the windows. Like others, the key just turned in the ignition. I called a tow truck ($77.00) to a local shop. The diagnosis ($90.00) indicated an electrical problem beyond their capabilities and involved manufacturer recoding. However, they were able to get the car started again. I said "Thank you." and drove to Bill Heard Chevrolet on McDowell Road and Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, Arizona. They could use the auto shop's printout but it might not solve the problem. I returned the next day and paid for a dealer diagnostic ($95.00) and went to work. They called a few hours later and indicated an ignition switch failure. They were 80% certain this would solve the problem. I paid for a new ignition switch ($402.00) and left. The car worked fine for another few days before dying again on a Saturday after 4:00 pm. Now the power door locks stopped working as well. After praying to a higher authority and turning the key in the ignition for about 10 minutes, the car started again. I took the car back to Bill Heard Chevrolet on Monday morning and they did another diagnostic for free while I was at work. They called a few hours later and told me I needed to replace the body control module. With no choice but to pay (another $430.00), I had it replaced. Thus far, no problems starting the car. However, the "Security" light has been making sporadic appearances again. I have 7 more payments to go, but I am done with General Motors (and Chrysler... my '97 Intrepid was a nightmare from hell). This seems to be a very common problem for this particular vehicle and General Motors seems to know about it. I am waiting for a recall so I can get my money back and use it towards a down payment on my Camry or Accord. Take that General Motors and Chrysler!!!!!! I am sorry I rambled on and on, but "Thank You" for letting me rant. I wish this will help someone else and spare them the accompanying headaches and hits to the wallet.

First problem I came across was when I removed the key out of the ignition, the front/back parking lights would continue to blink rapidly. Next, all dashboard lights did the same while making a loud ticking noise. To top that off, the battery was continually being drained. Every night I had to undo the battery and every morning had to reconnect. I live in Florida and connecting and disconnecting a battery in 90 degree weather is not fun! Finally, took to Chevy dealership, they said it was the bcm. Had this replaced for 480.00. THE NEXT WEEK, my speedometer stops working. I call Chevy, they tell me this has no direct connection with the bcm and it would cost me another $50.00 to tell me what's wrong. AND, if I have the speedometer cluster replaced it would cost OVER $500!!!! Now, the dang thing will not start at the most random times and the security light comes on and off. I loved my Impala but now I will look for something else other than a Chevy.

This car is a POS. I went through this for months. I am a single mother and CANNOT afford what it cost to repair this vehicle. The ignition switch was changed out for a new one. GUESS WHAT? It DID NOT fix the problem. That was at a cost of $310.00 and no car for 4 days. Does GM have any idea how difficult it is for working class folks with kids to go without a vehicle???

I went into the store two weeks ago, one of the hottest days in Indiana -thus far, (a necessity) and the car WOULD NOT START. I had to sit there for over an hour. I will swear on my life, I had a heat stroke that day. GM WOULD SAY - well why didn't you go back into the store or call someone for help. WELL GUESS WHAT GM, IT'S JUST ME OUT HERE! I went home, vomited, had a fever and chills due to having to sit in that vehicle waiting on the damned thing to go through it's 3-cyle-every 10 minutes-BS. And it took - 6 CYCLES - NOT 3 = 1 HOUR!

Finally, I got desperate and had to take the car to the dealer and OF COURSE they changed the BCM. ANOTHER $370.00.

From what I am reading, even after that part is replaced it can and most likely will fail again.

I am going to trade this car off as soon as I can and I WILL NOT be looking at another GM PRODUCT!~ ' THANKS ALOT GM!

first time car would not start my wife had driven to neighbor to pick up grandkids. she called and said car would not start. when i got there car cranked no problem. thought maybe she just didn't have it all the way in park. 1 week later she tried to crank car and it would not start. this was in my driveway. checked battery, fuses and everything else i could think of. no luck still would not start. next morning i decided to try again. car started up-no problem. next day same thing car would not start. security light comes on. if car starts in the morning i guess i'll take it to dealer.

HOW DO YOU REPROGRAM SECURITY SYSTEM? What is causing these problems. Security system seems to prevent car from starting. Stranded again. Car towed home again. Security and other lights come on, radio does not, Disp. hold in time will come on and then go out, items do not come on to scroll. Previously, removed fuse for door locks (use door locks manually) trunk lock hasn't worked in months. IT APPEARS TO BE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM-PASSWORD-SECURITY SYSTEM. I Called in a complaint to NHTSA (NATIONAL _TRAFFIC & SAFETY). They have live people to take complaint over the phones for investigation to possibly recall. call 888 327 4236. Thank you!

2002 Impala 3.4L v6. About two weeks ago came out of work and got in car to leave. put key in and wouldn't turn. Had another key, no luck. Towed to Chevy ($55). Guy said he'd check it out. When my car and myself arrived at dealership I got told by same guy that they might have car up to a week before they can even look at it. I have two kids, two jobs, and one car. You do the math. I was pissed. (although it was great reason to explain to wife that we needed to rent an 07 Silverado 4x4 crew cab - what a bad*** truck!) Was reunited with Impala wednesday (5 days in shop).

Cost of replacing ignition switch: $395.00

Cost of labor for replacing ignition switch: $207.00

Cost of renting 2007 Silverado: $289.50

Cost of Silverado induced euphoria: PRICELESS!

Despite the joy of having the truck, this problem screwed my finances all up, ruined my day, ruined my week, and is coming real close top ruining my month. I have never had such a semmingly simple problem cause so much time, money, and inconvenience. Why car they make cars the way they used too - without computers! I miss my '78 c/10 5.7L. I could climb in engine bay, sit on the wheel well (comfortably) unfasten two or four bolts, remove the part, swap it out with a new part and replce the two or four bolts. No wires to screw with. No computer to program. No PASSLOCK to trip. Ahh, the good ole days...

Engine locked due to security code feature. Tried to work through GM dealer and GM 800 number with no luck. They had no records of other problems by other GM owner, yet my father just bought an 06 impala (company car) with the problem occuring in the first 3 months. Triied just about everything. Lock/unlock 3 times, let sit for 10 minutes, disconnect battery. Sometimes these tricks worked, other times they did not. I finally had a GM dealer erase all codes in the system. They said it had more than 20 error codes, ones that did not make sense like dome light out when the light worked fine. GM needs to get their act together. Could have been stranded somewhere in a bad neighborhood with a defective automobile.... Would make a big PR crisis for GM.