Ask the Car People.SM


Pontiac Grand Am Security Passlock Problems

1226 messages,  Last post on May 13, 2013 at 1:41 PM

You are in the Pontiac Grand Am Forum.

What is this discussion about? 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.

Messages Page 37 of 124

#355 of 1226 1999 Buick similar security light problems as Grand Am by johnnieutah

Jun 07, 2008 (9:55 am)

I have experienced similar issues with my 1999 Buick LeSabre, where the security light stays on and occasional random non starts occur. I had a shop replace a relay that was bad, I guess, and it ran pretty much fine for a couple months. Just recently we drove the car and it would not restart for about 4 hours. Of course as soon as I got it towed home, it started right up again. If the security light is flashing when you are trying to restart the car, it cannot be restarted, and when it stays solid, you can restart it and it almost always stays solid when are driving down the road. I called a GM dealer yesterday and they told me that due to the fact that the other car shop may have tried to bypass the system the way it was wired (I am not really sure exactly what they did but will find out) they are not really interested in trying to find out what's wrong or repair it. On this board some mention cutting a yellow wire to bypass the system when it is running for a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. Because the Lesabre is GM and the similar year, would it likely have the same yellow wire to cut? Any suggestions on how to get rid of this issue forever (other than selling the car, which I would not do until this is corrected) of the security light unable to start car issue. Thanks.

#356 of 1226 Re: 1999 Buick similar security light problems as Grand Am [johnnieutah] by romankowal

Jun 07, 2008 (10:55 am)

Replying to: johnnieutah (Jun 07, 2008 9:55 am)
It does make sense that the GM bretheren would have the same infastructure. I would note that the Lesabre is not have the same platform as the Grand Am. (I think the Grand Prix would fit that category). Therfore they may be wired differently. I would suggest trying the reset option as mentioned in my last posting. Turn the ignition to the on postion without engaging the starter (all you dash lights will remain on including the security light). Leave it on for ten minutes. Your security light should then go off. If the reset is the same as the grand am this should reset your security system and your car will start. I have not had a problem since I reset the system in this manner. The next time your car won't start I would try this before you take your interior apart.
Hope this helps,
Roman

#357 of 1226 Re: 1999 Buick similar security light problems as Grand Am [romankowal] by johnnieutah

Jun 07, 2008 (12:05 pm)

Replying to: romankowal (Jun 07, 2008 10:55 am)
Thanks Roman for the reply.

#358 of 1226 Re: 1999 Buick similar security light problems as Grand Am [johnnieutah] by mikemont

Jun 07, 2008 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: johnnieutah (Jun 07, 2008 9:55 am)
I have a 99 Tahoe with the same exact issue. I cut the yellow wire and it seemed to work fine, but ocassionally it still had the the security light problem occur.
 
I removed the the large multi-wire connectors on my BCM(body control module) and noticed that a few pins were corroded. I cleaned them, but it did not help. So I reconnected the yellow wire and replaced the BCM. I bought it on ebay for $99. I have not had the problem for close to a year now.
 
Check your BCM connectors, if you find the corrosion on a few pins, look for a replacement. Check with your service department at your dealership for the BCM location. Mine was very simple to replace.

#359 of 1226 car dies by cuteh

Jun 10, 2008 (5:27 am)

I have a 2003 grand am gt. i have had to use the 10 min reset like every two days. but now it dies while i am on the freeway. can anyone tell me what i did wrong?

#360 of 1226 Re: car dies [cuteh] by burdawg

Jun 10, 2008 (6:59 am)

Replying to: cuteh (Jun 10, 2008 5:27 am)
The two things are probably not related, as long as the ten minute resets are being done for the right reason, that being an activated security system due to some component failure in the Passlock system. That Passlock reset is not a repair by any means. Whatever component is causing it is still bad.
When the car is running and the Passlock system becomes tripped it isn't supposed to shut down, it's supposed to just let you know by illuminating the security indicator in the cluster.

#361 of 1226 Re: 1999 Buick similar security light problems as Grand Am [romankowal] by johnnieutah

Jun 10, 2008 (11:08 am)

Replying to: romankowal (Jun 07, 2008 10:55 am)
Well, I drove the 1999 Buick Lesabre yesterday with no starting problems. Most of the time the security light stayed on while driving. It occasionally went out for a few minutes while driving. When I tried to start the car last night, no start, just a flashing security light. I left the key in the on position for well over a half hour last evening and the flashing security light stayed on, no start. Today at noon, the car still does not start, just flashing security light. I left the key in it at the on position this afternoon to see if it resets this time. By the way, where is the Body control module located? I do not have a shop manual for it. I post here because many more people talk about this issue on this form, almost no one on the Buick forum.

#362 of 1226 Re: 1999 Buick similar security light problems as Grand Am [johnnieutah] by johnnieutah

Jun 11, 2008 (8:21 am)

Replying to: johnnieutah (Jun 10, 2008 11:08 am)
Well, the dealer says that the ignition switch is bad. The wire apparently broke inside the tumbler and they say it is too thin to resolder. I HAD THE SAME PART replaced only 15 months ago elsewhere. I am not happy with this. Is this something I can easily replace myself? It will cost about $530 for parts/labor and $35 for each new key.

#363 of 1226 passlock problem by steammaker

Jun 23, 2008 (5:16 am)

Every 2nd or 3rd time I tried to start car it failed and security light flashed for 10 mins. Took the Throttle Position Sensor off and gave it a quick little wipe on the brushes and inside. Security light still comes on once in a while but have not had a ten minute wait in several months now. Super cheap fix but I should get a new TPS installed.

#364 of 1226 Re: passlock problem [steammaker] by burdawg

Jun 23, 2008 (6:40 am)

Replying to: steammaker (Jun 23, 2008 5:16 am)
The throttle position sensor has nothing to do with Passlock. The problem is still there, you've just been lucky that it doesn't occur when you're trying to start the car.

Messages Page 37 of 124

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement