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Oldsmobile Alero Starting-Stalling Problems

438 messages,  Last post on Jun 17, 2013 at 8:17 AM

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What is this discussion about? Oldsmobile Alero, Engine

Messages Page 28 of 44

#270 of 438 Re: 1999 Oldsmobile Alero 2.4L won't start - (update: trashed)! [appellof] by jaedee1

Jan 11, 2010 (3:34 pm)

Replying to: appellof (Jan 09, 2010 8:15 am)
Yes, Daniel, this helped a lot; and indeed, we do have the same engine on our cars, so I think the configurations are the same -- this should help!
OK, great, so I'll do the ignition by-pass first; if no-go, I'll proceed with changing the fuel regulator. I plan on doing that tomorrow. I'll post the results and await your advice on the crankshaft sensor test. Thank you so very much again!

#271 of 438 Re: Alero [kdeezle] by 1998lincoln

Mar 01, 2010 (8:23 pm)

Replying to: kdeezle (Mar 01, 2007 2:03 pm)
You can tell if the water pump is bad when it leaks water from the bottom of the pump, and it will over heat the engine !

#272 of 438 Re: Alero [kdeezle] by 1998lincoln

Mar 01, 2010 (8:26 pm)

Replying to: kdeezle (Mar 01, 2007 2:03 pm)
sounds like your "Mass Air Flow" sensor is bad, go to Autozone they can test it !

#273 of 438 2004 Oldsmobile Alero Wouldn't Start by widoc

Mar 02, 2010 (6:31 pm)

I bought a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero in April of 2007. I was having the same problem many of you are having...car not starting, security light on. Although it seems everyone has just slightly different symptoms, so I'll try to describe mine the best I can.
A few months after I bought the car I had my first experience. We couldn't get it started, left it sit over night, still no luck the next day. We had it towed to the deal we bought it from. I believe they got it started right away, but then they couldn't recreate, the problem. They sent us on our way. The problem happened again a little while later and the dealership told us to try the put the key in the ignition in the "on" position and wait for the alarm system to reset. That worked. We were also told to try disconnecting the negative battery terminal, I tried but that didn't work. On here I've read if you do that, to leave it disconnected for 5 or 10 seconds, which I never did so I'm not sure if that works.
Over the next three years the problem came and went in spurts. I couldn't pin point a reason or specific condition that would bring up the problem...until recently. All last summer I don't remember having any issues with it not starting. Then this winter it got bad. One thing I noticed that would bring on the problem would be if you didn't turn the key long enough while trying to start the car. It wouldn't start, then when you tried again it would just turn over but not start. So...sit and wait. When it would start sometimes the security light would stay on while I was driving and other times it would go off, not sure what caused that.
Eventually the problem would occur even if I gave the key a good crank. It still wouldn't start. This last weekend the problem happened to me 5 times in 2 days. I had enough, I needed to figure out what was going on and how to fix it. I started searching these forums. I didn't want to pay $300 or whatever it would have cost to fix it at a dealership. On one of these forums I found a link to this website...
http://www.bergerweb.net/grandamsecurityfix.htm
 
The website actually references a Grand Am, but he mentions several times that it is the same on an Alero. I followed his instructions and was able to fix my car...so far. I did this on Saturday and since then haven't had any problems, only 4 days, but I'll take it since the two previous days I had the issue arise on 5 occasions.
 
It is definitely worth it to. I bought a 5 pack of resistors at Radio Shack for $1.00, so $.20 a peice. $.20!!!, well worth it for the frustration it was causing. The process sounds complicated, but if you take you time and go step by step it was rather quite simple. I hope this helps someone. So far I'm very pleased with the results.

#274 of 438 Re: 2004 Oldsmobile Alero Wouldn't Start [widoc] by burdawg

Mar 03, 2010 (7:56 am)

Replying to: widoc (Mar 02, 2010 6:31 pm)
What you have done by following that procedure is bypassed the Hall effect (magnetic) sensor on the ignition switch, which is the problem in well over 90% of the time with passlock. The only downside is the car can now be started easier without the key. I don't think there's a long line of car thieves out there waiting to steal your Alero or Grand Am though.
Your symptoms are classic for Passlock problems, the secuity light was coming on while driving to warn you that the Passlock was failing, and the randomness in the no start/having to wait for reset is common.

#275 of 438 Re: 2004 Oldsmobile Alero Wouldn't Start [widoc] by ja33

Mar 03, 2010 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: widoc (Mar 02, 2010 6:31 pm)
I guess it is time to repeat my simple solution to the Alero or Grand Am owners' passlok problem as described in my post # 187, dated July 8, 2009. At that time I posted it after 8 months of success. And now after 16 months I have not had a single starting problem. I posted it on the Grand Am site Those owners who admitted having tried it, were successful. Other experienced Grand AM owners tried to explain it. Believe me, this solution is not rocket science, OR maybe I'm just lucky. And I QUOTE .............
 
 At 36,000 miles my 2001 Olds Alero started having passlock starting problems. At first it was every other month and then after 2 years it happened with every other turn of the key. Since I am not the least bit mechanically inclined, I tried any and all procedures suggested on the internet except cutting wires, or installing a new switch. Eight months ago I decided to clean the grooves on my ignition key with a squirt of 3 in 1 oil. THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. I did it again for the next 3 days to gain little confidence in the procedure. THE ALERO CONTINUES TO START EVERY TIME
  Now once a month I oil the key, push it in and out of the switch slowly a couple times. When starting the car, do not jam the key in quickly and turn. Take your time. It seems to be a very sensitive switch, and needs a little TLC to prevent dirt build up. Try it. A little 3 in 1 oil squirt might save you a $500 repair bill. I told my GM dealer mechanic about this solution. He said "Yeah, it might work" UNQUOTE
 
 If this procedure works for you, or any other Alero owner I would appreciate hearing your results-good or bad. Don't use any fancy ignition key lubrication from an auto parts store. Just a little dab of plain,old 3 in 1 oil (Grandma's old sewing machine lubricant).................Ja
 
PS I am tempted to send 3 in Oil Company this unsolicited testimony, since it really did save my wife from trading in the Alero. We must start the car at least 8 times a day

#276 of 438 Re: 2004 Oldsmobile Alero Wouldn't Start [ja33] by timsyk

Apr 01, 2010 (7:44 pm)

Replying to: ja33 (Mar 03, 2010 5:29 pm)
where do you get the 3-in-1 oil? what brand and name? i have a friend who is a mechanic and he tested with his equipment and said that my car has a problem with security system and can't recognized my key. i have changed the system and updated with security code from dealer about 3-4 years ago, but happened again. i was about to do the same which cost me about $700. please give me your answer in detail. thanks.

#277 of 438 Re: 2004 Oldsmobile Alero Wouldn't Start [timsyk] by ja33

Apr 01, 2010 (8:11 pm)

Replying to: timsyk (Apr 01, 2010 7:44 pm)
K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Ace Hardware,Grocery store, Target, Home Depot, any place that sells WD-40.. It is branded 3-in-ONE oil. Small black and white container with a nozzle. Just a couple of bucks.

#279 of 438 2003 Oldsmobile Alero Starting Prob by pain_007

Apr 15, 2010 (1:31 pm)

Hi all,
 
After reading all this post on this issue, I think I should trade in for a different car. We bought this car in Oct 08 with 41K miles, 03 model from a dealer. we ran into issue right after 15 days as it was covered under 1 month warranty the dealer said that the issue was with the Passlock system and it needed to update the code and the problem went away. After a month the car was running low on fuel so we decided to put fuel, and at the gas station after filling it the car wont start. but after 10 min it started again, and after few days when my wife was coming from work the car died on one of the most busiest intersection of the city. I got the car towed to the same dealer, and he said that the fuel pump was dead, but this time it was not under the 1 month warranty. I wanted to just leave the car right there with them, but the cost for driving that car for 45 days was 1500$ so I decided to go ahead and replace it for 400$. They have charged me 300$ for the new pump, but online Delphi pump was available for 185$ so I fought with the dealer to give me back the money and he gave me 100$ back. Everything was working fine until last month when all the gauges in the car wont work but the car will work fine. The gauges would come back online after 5 min or sometimes 10 min but there was no starting trouble. After going to all the problems and reading this I had bought an extended warranty to cover all the future repairs. Now last week the car died on a freeway and my wife was on the left most lane and it is tough to bring the car to right side. after 5 min the car started again. We took to the dealer as we have warranty on that car, but he couldn't recreate the problem. so we are back on the road and it didnt give any prob for 3 days and again gave the starting prob. so we took to another dealer who diagnosed the problem with ignition switch, fuel filter and some ignition contact. total 800$ so I called the warranty people and they say in the contract ignition switch is not covered, but ignition module is covered, so I am planning to go to the dealer and ask to change the whole ignition module and the switch and charge it to the warranty direct people. But after reading every post here, I tried the 3 in1 oil stuff and some more precautions and the car is starting now and didnt give much trouble. so I am waiting for taking to back to dealer, and if the problem persists I will by pass the PAss lock feature.
Anybody has some insights what should I do... I dont have any problem trading this car to get a new car if it comes to that
 
Rgds,
Nitin

Messages Page 28 of 44

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