Chevy Colorado won't start - Passlock issues

[@CompTechMike]

If you liked this video or found it helpful, please "like" and "subscribe" to my channel. It really helps me out a lot. I have dozens of videos on troubleshooting and repairs of 1st generation Chevy Colorado and regularly add more. Check out the entire playlist here: kzbin.info/aero/PLZsiP8a81zDFWVAWL_RxIkDSn2TSAcU8y My current truck has 237,000 miles and is still running great. Hope to keep it that way a lot longer. Thanks!

[@jfmmccoll9189]

My 2011 Colorado had issue at times would turn over but not start. No codes, leave it for 20 minutes and way it would go. No double lock lite on on dash. Had it to shop for few days and no one could figure it out. Got it back fro shop 2 days later same problem Ordered ignition switch assembly and changed out relay only and never had another problem. Cost me $60.00 to fix this issue.

[@CompTechMike]

Glad to hear you got it sorted! 👍

[@Oldguy1313]

So, I just picked up an 09 colorado 2.9 5 speed with 26k original on it. No matter what mine does not crank when it acts up ---- the passlock light has flashed while no crank and has been on steady with no crank. Sometimes the 10 minute wait worked...sometimes just playing with the key worked. Does both manual and automatic turn over when passlock is active? I assumed a manual will not even crank. Anyway I snipped the wire under the dash (while it was running) thought it was good for 2 days, then out of nowhere....It still randomly does not start. I have an ignition switch assembly coming from amazon.

[@CompTechMike]

Hi! Thanks for checking out my video. Passlock affects the fuel system, so I imagine it would be similar on both automatic & manual transmission vehicles. I don't see many manual Colorado's; Maybe different mechanism, but conceptually the same thing. In any case, it sounds like you're on the right track. Replacing the ignition switch should resolve the issue. Of course, my thinking is that an ignition switch can always fail again, so having a tune to disable Passlock ("VATS_delete") is the only sure way to make sure it will never be an issue again. But hopefully the new ignition switch will solve the issue for the remainder of the life of the vehicle for you. 😊 Good luck!

[@CompTechMike]

In hindsight, I should have included a picture of the PCM in this video. For anyone looking to send it for a tune, it's located on the engine compartment attached to the firewall near the washer fluid & radiator overflow tanks. It's hard to miss, a silver box with three large wire connectors attached to it. You can see a picture of one by doing a google image search for "chevy colorado PCM". Easy to remove with basic hand tools, just be careful to not damage the wire connectors. Maybe I should make a removal video on this someday. 😊

[@YT-User1013]

I have a 2008 GMC Canyon and this is just starting to act up, but mine does nothing. The starter solenoid does not engage and turn the engine at all. I wait like 5-10 minutes and it starts right up. So, I'm still not sure which part is causing this! I wanna cut the wire anyway just in case and I may need a new starter solenoid.

[@CompTechMike]

Hi! Thanks for checking out my videos. It sounds like you are following the right process. If you turn the key and nothing happens (no clicks, no cranks, no dimming of lights, etc.) I would check your grounds, fuses, and also the lock cylinder mechanism itself. If the lights dim but you don't hear the starter engage, I'd check the solenoid (and the grounds again, including the large wires coming off the battery, and also voltage test the battery). If the starter engages and the motor turns over but doesn't start (for 10 minutes), then it's probably Passlock. That said, it's a troublesome system that's probably worth bypassing to see if it helps your situation. Good luck!

[@YT-User1013]

@@CompTechMike will do. Thanks for the info!

[@JD-45]

Best vid on passlock since... well forever...Thanks

[@CompTechMike]

You're welcome! Just wanted to make a short video to help explain the issue. Glad to help!

[@mrkttrdr2919]

Great info, will keep in mind and archive this vid if my 05 coly ever has this issue, thanks for posting

[@CompTechMike]

You're welcome! It's a very common issue. Just something to keep in mind if you run into that "crank no-start" issue.

[@anve2784]

It's nice to understand what is happening to my truck. Thank you for the insight. Why would the frequency of the problem be intensifying? My Colorado used to not start once every couple of months, then every couple of weeks, then weekly and now several times a week. I am almost sure it's a passlock problem, since it always requires a 10 min wait. It does crank, but I assume it does not turn on because of the interruption of the fuel pump.

[@CompTechMike]

Hi! Thanks for checking out my Chevy Colorado repair videos. Having starting problems due to the Passlock system is an extremely common issue on all first generation Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Hummer H3 vehicles. It is a problematic system with well-documented rate of failure and has been discussed thousands of times in the various online forums (including ColoradoFans.com, 355nation.net, and the Facebook groups). When your Passlock system begins exhibiting symptoms of failing the truck will crank but not start (due to Passlock disabling fuel to the injectors). You can typically "get around this" by waiting 10 minutes and trying again. Once it starts acting up, it's not going to get better on its own. It will continue to get worse, as you've noticed. You have several options to resolve this issue which include replacing the part, cutting a wire under the dash, or having the system "tuned out" (a.k.a. "VATS delete") by anyone familiar with tuning our trucks, or through various tuners that offer mail-in service (such as "PCM of NC"). Replacing the failing part is always a great solution, however in my experience it will eventually fail again. The best way to resolve the starting issue (in my opinion) is to have the system tuned out. At the time of tune you can also adjust additional parameters of your truck such as removing the speed governor, adjusting for tire size, optimizing for what octane gas you are using, and any additional performance modifications you may have made to the vehicle. Hope this helps!

[@univac7677]

Not sure what you mean by have it ‘tuned out.’ Thanks

[@CompTechMike]

Hi! Thanks for watching and commenting. That means to have your truck tuned - a PCM (computer) tune. You can have your truck tuned for many different conditions. For example, if you have larger or smaller tires, or to delete the governor (speed limiter), or if you have a supercharged or turbocharged engine, or run higher octane gas, you can tune your engine for all of those parameters. But in this case specifically you can have a tune to disable Passlock. This is known as "VATS delete" (Vehicle Anti Theft System). Any local tune shop that works on our trucks can do this. If you don't have a local tuner you can send your PCM out to a company like PCM of NC. Info in the video description. Hope this helps!

[@univac7677]

Thank you so much!!

[@univac7677]

Mike, would having the VATS Delete tuned out leave the light on the dash? Thanks

[@CompTechMike]

@@univac7677 hi! I haven't had a problem with the dashboard light since having it tuned out way back in 2014. That said, even if the light was on (after a VATS delete) it wouldn't matter, since system itself is disabled and wouldn't prevent starting.

[@univac7677]

Thanks Mike.

[@highping9597]

My truck has a problem were it starts but it missfires a lot and shuts off, i think someone tried to fix it by trying to bypass it and got it to start but not correcty, im gonna try cutting the wire under the dash and ill try updating if anyone is interested

[@CompTechMike]

Hi! Thanks for checking out my Chevy Colorado repair videos. I think you're confused about what Passlock does. If your truck starts and runs but misfires or stalls, your problem is not Passlock. Passlock prevents the truck from starting by disabling fuel to the injectors. When Passlock is engaged the vehicle will crank but start. In any case, easiest way to rule out Passlock issues is to have it tuned out ("VATS delete"). If you don't have a local tune shop you can always pull your PCM (silver box in engine compartment on the firewall) and send it to someone like PCM of NC. Having the system disabled will rule out it being an issue. I'd also pull any codes and start running those down. You could have a fuel delivery problem, PCV problem, ignition/spark problem, or some other issue causing misfires. Good luck!

[@highping9597]

@@CompTechMike I appreciate you for respectfully correcting me, most people would probably just laugh, Im trying to learn how to work on cars and im learning by watching youtube videos so its a little difficult so thank you for making informative videos and helping out in any way you can

[@CompTechMike]

@@highping9597 awesome! We all had to start somewhere. When I got started working on cars, all I had was a single book. It was my most prized possession (still have it, every page practically covered in grease & oil stains). KZbin definitely makes things easier. Good luck, hope you're able to get it sorted! 😊

[@CompTechMike]

A short picture video (less than 2 minutes) describing the basics of "Passlock", GM's rudimentary anti-theft system that is one of the most common starting issues with our trucks, and a frequent topic in the forums. When Passlock engages it prevents your truck from starting for 10 minutes with a "crank no-start" situation. This question comes up almost every day so I made this video to help. To learn more about Passlock: www.locksmithledger.com/keys-tools/article/10238356/general-motors-vehicles-equipped-with-passlock www.tradecraftspecialties.com/Passlock2 If you want to try replacing the part, this video has some good tips: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWG2moiPg9Vmbq8 To learn about how to "cut the wire": www.coloradofans.com/threads/how-to-permanently-disable-the-passlock-ii-system.142238/ To send your PCM off for VATS delete I recommend this company: www.pcmofnc.com/

[@justjoshingya2]

Just FYI sometimes it can still be passlock even if it does not crank over. On my 2012 canyon I had issues of it not starting, I would turn the key and nothing no crank no nothing just the security light. I'd wait 10 minutes and most times it would start up. When I researched it I found passlock but then read that if it doesn't crank it's not passlock... that false information made me look everywhere else for the issue. Eventually I gave up and replaced the ignition cylinder as a whole and never had a single issue since then. So yes it can still be passlock issues even if the vehicle doesn't turn over/crank

[@CompTechMike]

Hi! Thanks for the comment. With all due respect, I disagree. That is literally not how Passlock works. All it does is prevent fuel from getting to the engine. It does not prevent cranking. It sounds like your problem was (correctly) the ignition cylinder. Glad you got it resolved, I would still recommend having Passlock deactivated (via a tune) to prevent it from being a problem in the future. Cheers! 😊 To learn more about Passlock: www.locksmithledger.com/keys-tools/article/10238356/general-motors-vehicles-equipped-with-passlock www.tradecraftspecialties.com/Passlock2

[@justjoshingya2]

@@CompTechMike thanks for the issue/solution just odd that it would start after 10 minutes similar to the passlock. But yes I replaced the entire ignition cylinder with switch so could be something entirely different that was also killing the fuel pump for 10 minutes. Dont know just was really odd that it would show the security light on dash and kill the fuel pump but wouldn't crank at all.

[@hummerguy]

@@justjoshingya2 Mines do the exact same thing, I changed the battery cables on mines

[@mgysgtk8835]

My Colorado 2008 does as you mentioned. Randomly in time, I attempt to start and the lock light blinks and the engine does not crank. I wait 10min. and 99% of the time it starts up.

[@hummerguy]

@@mgysgtk8835 Same here

[@asaelmedina-vargas1709]

What wire lol

[@CompTechMike]

There's a picture in the video at the 1:04 minute mark and various links in the description that take you to more information, if you want to disable Passlock via the "cut the wire" method. Please see video description. Thanks! 😊