1226 messages,
Last post on May 13, 2013 at 1:41 PM
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Pontiac Grand Am Forum.
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Pontiac Grand Am, Security System, Sedan
Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153
For those experiencing the security passlock problem, please see long-time member lovemygrandam's GM Security Passlock Fix tutorial.
#12 of 1226 Re: passlock problems [curlylocks1014]
by cheryl8
Oct 29, 2006 (1:48 pm)
I have had the security passlock issue since I bought the car it is getting to the point where it is happening multiple times a day. I am in Canada and went to the pontiac site that U left on the page and can not do anything because it is for united states. I did find a recall # for the key/keynumber/security chip- replacement for the 2002 pntiac grand am v6-3.4L vin E the # is 01-00-89-009 it was issued may of 01 I have not contacted any one yet but intend too. If U intend to go ahead with the class action count me in, I am so sick of dealing with this problem. I have so much time and money put into this car to fix it and the dealership could not find the problem. It even had a new computer installed.
#13 of 1226 Re: passlock problems [curlylocks1014]
by blackcobalt
Nov 01, 2006 (3:53 pm)
i have a 1999 grand am se 4 door. the security issue started with me back in november 2005 when the security light started coming on but nothing would be wrong with the car till about 2 months later when the damn thing wouldn't start and the security light was flashing. about 6 months earlier i had replaced one part of the ignition because all of my dash lights and gauges would just shut off in the middle of a drive then come back on but the car would stay running. when i took it in for the security light they replaced the tumbler (or something like that) anyway i had to get it keyed to my key and now most of my spares won't work. i thought that was all fine untill last month when the security light started coming on at odd times. now the damn thing will not start again. they say that i need to replace the other part that made all my dash gauges shut down. i don't want to pay another 300 to replace a part that has already been replaced. i thought i had a pretty good car untill i read all these problems on these forums that i have experienced. what i have replaced since buying the car in 2001 include:
brakes and rotors
ignition (switch twice)
ignition tumbler
3 (out of 4 windows) because something was scratching them when they roll up and down
1 power window thing
alternator
serpentine belt (3 times)
fuel sending unit
water pump
and some general stuff that i consider wear and tear like tires and battery terminals
it is crazy stuff, i will definatly do more research before buying a new one which seems to be coming soon. but i keep fixing her because she is at least paid for!
#14 of 1226 Re: passlock problems [curlylocks1014]
by ronmanb
Nov 08, 2006 (6:44 am)
I am having the same problems with my 2001 Grand Am. Cost
400 this time last year.Security etc.I am now trying the wait 10 minutes with the ignition in "On" and if starts am headed to the dealer for the fix.If not , will be towed to the dealer for the fix.If a class action is started , throw my hat in the ring.RB
#15 of 1226 Re: passlock problems [ronmanb]
by blackcobalt
Nov 08, 2006 (8:17 am)
I just installed a remote start on my car which will bypass the gm security system. Everyone that I have talked to said that this should work "in theory." So I tried it and we will see if it works. Seemed like the people at the Audio shop where I had it installed knew more about the problem than the repair shop at the dealership. Of course they wouldn't guarantee that it would fix THAT problem it was the cheapest fix at $200. So I hope it works, time will tell. If it doesn't at least I have remote start....
#16 of 1226 Same Problem and More :)
by needmycarfixed
Dec 27, 2006 (4:48 pm)
Earlier this year, our car wouldn't start, we tried EVERYTHING... bought a new coil pack/iginition control module and still nothing. Turned out it was the security feature -it shut the car down, we reset the security and back to running - with the new $300 pack/module.
This November we go out to leave on Sunday and it wouldn't start. We figured it was the same thing, we go through the security reset and nothing...except smoke - the coil pack got so hot that it cracked on the underneath side. Since we had the factory coil in the garage, we replaced it, and it ran good on Monday, Tuesday, we start it up and it's running like an old truck - ses light, trac light both on, no power - running on 2-1/2 to 4 rpms and takes forever to get enough power to hit 40mph. It's shaking and puttering. We took it to AutoZone, they read out 2 missfires - we replace the spark plugs and still no difference. Take it to a local mechanic, he says need to replace the iginition control module, coil pack and plugs - AGAIN! So,
Why would it go through 2 in this short time? The car has less than 40,000 miles. What's the deal? And why can't we find a pack/module for less than $300?? AutoZone said you can't buy one without the other and we bought it, it only had the coil - not the module with it - for $175. A local dealer can get it for $400 and a salvage yard for $100 (???) O'Reilly, who we bought the other one from now says they can't order it - only dealers can. Any ideas what's happening with the car - and these parts?
Appreciate the advise - I'm driving my husband's gas guzzling Dodge Ram!
#17 of 1226 Re: passlock problems [blackcobalt]
by bward1
Jan 16, 2007 (9:31 pm)
Just wondering, How is your remote starting working? Has it failed yet? My car will not start AGAIN. I might try that remote start.
Thanks,
Brian
#18 of 1226 Re: passlock problems [bward1]
by blackcobalt
Jan 17, 2007 (8:39 am)
so far so good, have not seen the security light since, unless i start it with the key it will sometimes appear.
#19 of 1226 Pontiac Class Action Lawsuit
by bward1
Jan 19, 2007 (4:15 pm)
Where is the Pontiac Class Action Lawsuit. I would like to add my name to it??
My car has left me stranded 2 times for the security problem. The dealer said they never heard of this particular problem and for me to resolve the problem by selling the car.
They sure have confidence in their products.
Again, I woud like to get into the class action lawsuit.
Thank you,
Brian
#20 of 1226 Pontac needs to pay for the pieces of junk they produce!
by virgo58
Jan 30, 2007 (9:11 pm)
I couldn't agree more with all of you. I have been dealing with this turn the car off one minute and the next minute - totally dead. The people at the dealership look at you like your some sort of psycho making all of this up. AAA won't even tow me any longer, used them all up for this year! I'll spare you all of the details because I'm sure you have all been through the same things. I have been in contact with the WONDERFUL (yeah right, only when they are TAKING your money) Pontiac customer service center. Was assured that if this happened again, I was to call her and they would help me deal with it. Needless to say, she won't even return my phone calls now. I am very serious regarding a class action suit. I can't tell you the amount of time and money this has cost me. Not to mention the aggravation only to be treated as if they are doing you some sort of favor by taking your money while raking you over the coals financially. Their so called "Certified Technicians" who are charging a premium price for their useless knowledge and their fancy analysis machines that are suppose to be able to tell them what is exactly wrong with your car (this service also very pricey) only to be told after a year and half "We really don't know whats wrong with your car, we've replaced everything". That about sums it up. One idiot telling the other what to do. I think its time that the giant money maker GM/Pontiac take responsibility for the shoddy product. Maybe they need to shell out some money to those of us who have endured this nightmare and get nothing in return for their money and then, just maybe they will understand how it feels to hand over your money and get nothing in return for it. If interested, I'll be more than happy to help with a lawsuit and I'm currently researching my options for legal recourse. Best of luck to all of you and I can only say I certainly hope you don't reward this company in the future by purchasing other makes or models from them.
#21 of 1226 Disable your Passlock!
by raycorri
Feb 01, 2007 (5:10 pm)
If you want the fastest way to disable the Passlock---You just need to be able to start your car one time. Start it--leave it running--put car in neutral-- remove your radio, but do not unplug it.(Let it hang)Reach inside to the left and locate 3 tiny 22 gauge wires wrapped in black friction tape.(Yellow, Black, and White Passlock Wires)These are with the Ignition switch harness. Cut the (Yellow Passlock) Data Wire (while the engine is running). Security light will come on and stay on forever--- this tells you that Passlock is disabled.(PCM is in fail enable mode)Tape up both ends of the Yellow wire. Your car will crank from now on with no worries. I would suggest that you add a toggle switch, though. Disable Passlock --- it's not necessary to add a remote starter. Do a google search for "Passlock I or II Disablement" to see the written document for adding the toggle switch.