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Pontiac Grand Am Security Passlock Problems

1230 messages,  Last post on Jun 14, 2013 at 12:34 PM

You are in the Pontiac Grand Am Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Am, Security System, Sedan

    
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    For those experiencing the security passlock problem, please see long-time member lovemygrandam's GM Security Passlock Fix tutorial.

Messages Page 40 of 123

#391 of 1230 security light on in 2000 pontiac grand am by tlou17

Aug 20, 2008 (12:38 am)

So I have a 2000 pontiac grand am. I had an after market alarm isntalled in 2000 when I got the car. Well the remotes for that stopped working about 2 years ago. Well long story short we uninstalled the alarm then the key would not turn so Monday I had my ignition changed and now the security light is on and when I turn the key all I hear is a click. I tried the relearn on yesterday and nothing after the 3 cycles still nothing anything you can suggest? Would cutting the yellow wire solve my problem? and also would my car start if jummped? I am so disgusted with this so any help is appreciated!

#392 of 1230 Re: Security Light on Car won't Start [tripower1] by bicycletroy

Aug 20, 2008 (6:32 am)

Replying to: tripower1 (Aug 17, 2008 5:23 pm)
I put the key in and turn on the ignition. The security light stays illumintated - not blinking. The car does turn over but it acts as if the gas has been shut off.

#393 of 1230 Re: Security Light on Car won't Start [bicycletroy] by tripower1

Aug 20, 2008 (9:20 am)

Replying to: bicycletroy (Aug 20, 2008 6:32 am)
Bicycletroy.
When I had a passlock problem the light would be blinking when I tryed to start the car, the car wouldn't turn over, nothing happened. I turned it on and waited the ten min. when the light went out I started the car. When ever I was driving the car and the security light would come on I knew the next time I would have problems starting the car. Your problem doesn't sound like a passlock problem, it's more then likly a fuel pump thinking, find the fuel pump connecter at the fuel tank and run a wire from the battery to the power side of the pump and see if the pump comes on, if not then replace the pump. I'm not saying that you don't have a passlock problem, I'm saying your car isn't starting this time because of something other then passlock.

#394 of 1230 The Definitive Fix for Security Passlock Problem by lovemygrandam

Aug 22, 2008 (4:49 pm)

I have read almost all of the posts in this thread. There is a lot of good information here, and there are a lot of posts about problems that seem to be just starting problems that are not associated with the Passlock(tm) system. I know that most of you don't want to read through 400 or so posts to find out how to fix (or bypass) the problems in your car when the "Security" light comes on, flashes on, or whatever else it does when your vehicle doesn't start. To save you from gleaning through the above posts, I have written a tutorial about the Passlock(tm) system, and how to fix it when it starts to malfunction. Since my tutorial is quite detailed and lengthly, I am placing it on my own website, rather than posting it directly here. You will find it at:
Grand Am Passlock Security Fix
Please.... everyone.... this tutorial will fix ONLY problems that have to do with malfunctions of the PASSLOCK(tm) security system on the Grand Am, and many Alero's. It WILL NOT fix problems with the fuel injectors, starter motor, battery, or other items which will also cause your car not to start. If you try to start your car, and the "Security" light comes on and flashes, then read my article. If that is not what is happening, don't bother.
Dick Berger
Retired GM Proving Ground Engineer

#395 of 1230 2001 grand am BIG Nightmare by erpnbc

Aug 22, 2008 (5:48 pm)

Help!!!! I have been reading posts for a few weeks and I am still at a loss. Here is my story. I bought a 2001 grand am last year, loved it!!!!!
A few months ago it started becoming harder to start, then on occation when I was driving it would completley shut down. It has continually gotten worse!!! i have had my independant replace the Ignition module and some sensor (sorry, I will have to check my bill, cant remember what it was) only to be at a loss. Honestly, my mechanic seemed rather embarresed but could not find what the problem was. I then phoned GM and they told me it sounded like the pass lock and so I took it in. After 6 hours of being there (1.7 hours diagnostic) they were able to tell me that it may be the fuel pump or fuel pressure switch but would need more time. I was frusterated and said forget and went to pick up the car. After reading many posts on this website and many others, I decided to test fate and had my independant mechanic change the ignition cylinder which as we all know housed the passlock. STILL DIDN"T WORK!!!! However, a day after it was changed I tried to see if my remote starter would still work, it cranked but wouldn't catch. went to start my car and for the first time got the security light on my dashboard which I had to wait the 10 minutes to reset. Also since then when the car stalls the Service Engine, Battery and Oil lights now come on.
My remote start used to be one of the ways I would be able to start it when it didn't want to start, but over the past month it would start it fine and then as soon as I went to put the car in reverse or drive it would die. Now the remote doesn't start but I really dont care about that. This car came with an aftermarket remote keyless entry and remote start, could this be potentially the problem? I am ready to sell the car but scared that it might be difficult considering it is so problematic, never know when this will happen. My biggest fear is the stalling, today it happened on a bridge, very frightning.
 
I am at a loss. Should I consider the battery cables or battery or even spark plugs. What about the fuel filter, had it changed a few months back, could it possibly not be on right or letting air in, or can that happen. Or, has anyone ever experienced a bad connection somewhere else that I might want to consider. PLEASE HELP.

#396 of 1230 Re: 2001 grand am BIG Nightmare [erpnbc] by tripower1

Aug 23, 2008 (12:18 am)

Replying to: erpnbc (Aug 22, 2008 5:48 pm)
OK, I'm not a Machanic for a living but love car's so if you don't want to read this it's OK. I Think your problem is a connector going to one of many sencers. First get some electrical spray cleaner and a tube of dieelectrica grease, pull every connector off each sencer one at a time and clean it, check it for a good connection and apply a dab of grease to it and re-connect it, make sure you get all the sencers connectors because you don't know which one it could be, MAP, TPI, Cam, Crank, distributor, temp, O2, power pack/ coil. and the one's I missed.
I believe your problem is in one of these connectors that lose it's signal and shuts the engine off, your major ones are the cam, crank sencer, power pack/ coil connector, TPI or TPS. and Distributor, the distributor connection is what keeps your fuel pump going, with out its signal the fuel pump shuts off. Also have your independent check the connections to your PCM, ECM or what ever they want to call it.
Keep us informed as to what you find

#397 of 1230 Re: 2001 grand am BIG Nightmare [tripower1] by erpnbc

Aug 23, 2008 (10:25 am)

Replying to: tripower1 (Aug 23, 2008 12:18 am)
Thank you sooooo much! I appreciate any feedback. I have a friend who is a mechanic and after speaking with him last night he would like to see if he can offer any help, because I am taking a huge loss if I sell it. I think I will sell it regardless but at least need to know what is wrong with it to give info to new owner if it can sell. I have thought about cleaning connections, just not sure where they all would be, thats where my friend would come in.
 
It really sucks because this was my first sporty car purchase and I love it, but I am so scared to keep it even if I can fix it as it seems to have so many issues that arise with this car!
Thank you for your message.

#398 of 1230 Re: 2001 grand am BIG Nightmare [erpnbc] by tripower1

Aug 23, 2008 (11:18 am)

Replying to: erpnbc (Aug 23, 2008 10:25 am)
The more electrical they put on a car the more problems you get. I've got a friend that was fighting a stalling problem on his Dodge, the computer said O2 sencer but after a year he found his problem by accident, it was the connector on his power pack and now his car runs great. He was just lucky.
Let us know what you find out.

#399 of 1230 Re: 2001 grand am BIG Nightmare [tripower1] by bicycletroy

Aug 25, 2008 (7:08 am)

Replying to: tripower1 (Aug 23, 2008 12:18 am)
Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a shot. Get this - I took it to an independant mechanic. They replaced the lock cyclinder which got rid of the security light. It started up so I brought it home. The next day - it doesn't start. Acts just as it did when I took it in. GRRRRRR.

#400 of 1230 Re: 2001 grand am BIG Nightmare [bicycletroy] by burdawg

Aug 26, 2008 (8:06 am)

Replying to: bicycletroy (Aug 25, 2008 7:08 am)
Changing the lock cylinder won't do anything to the typical Passlock problem - the Hall effect sensor is on the ignition switch, not part of the lock cylinder. Go back and read post 394 and look at the link supplied. Very good info and permanent repair without any major work. Passlock is a bit more complicated than presented, but the technical operation really isn't important for the bypass shown.

Messages Page 40 of 123

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