Pontiac 2001 Firebird Owner's Manual page 80

R
PASS Key II
-
-
PASS Key II uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
2-20
Your vehicle is equipped
-
with the PASS Key II
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
-
theft deterrent system.
-
PASS Key II is a passive
-
theft deterrent system.
It works when you insert
or remove the key from
the ignition.
-
When the PASS Key II system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle's starter
and fuel systems. For about three minutes, the starter
won't work and fuel won't go to the engine. If someone
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key
during this time, the vehicle will not start. This
discourages someone from randomly trying different
keys with different resistor pellets in an attempt to
make a match.
The ignition key must be clean and dry before it's
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start.