Car starts with regular key

I lost my keys and had to have a new key made. I was told if a transponder key was needed the service call would be $250.00. So the lock smith cut a regular key. I put the car in valet mode and the key started the car. I was told that I needed a bypass module when the Clifford rs3.5 was installed. Does valet mode bypass the transponder or was the passlock II not needed? The car is a 2001 Tahoe.

Anthony

draasch,

I'm as confused as you. Everywhere I look says the car needs a bypass. Yet I could start it with a regular key.

The Passlock Anti-Theft system involves resistor codes which are generated by resistors located in the ignition key cylinder switch. The GM Passlock system uses what is known as a Hall Effect Sensor to send a resistor code to the Passlock module. The resistor code is activated when the ignition key is physically rotated in the ignition switch. Depending on the model of GM vehicle, the actual resistor code is only introduced to the Passlock system when the ignition switch is turned to the ignition on (run) position or only when the ignition switch is turned to the start (crank) position. This was designed so you can't just wrench the ignition or hot wire it. . It is NOT a transponder/immobilizer system with the rf chip in the head of the key. If you duplicate your ignition key onto an aftermarket or factory blank, it will start the car. Unlike most fords etc. Like auex was saying, it's in the cylinder, not the key.

Now, you still have to bypass passlock II, which you have, but its not the same as a transponder in the key, the passlock has to have the igntion cylinder turned in order for the car to stay running. When you bypass it, the bypass mod learns the code from the car and "tricks" the car into thinking that a working key has turned the ignition.

T&C