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Sedans Pontiac Grand Am Pontiac Grand Am Security Passlock Problems
739 messages, Last post on Dec 08, 2009 at 7:43 AM
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The local Pontiac Dealer doesn't know what's wrong with the car unless the security light is on while they are working on it. It went off before I arrived at the dealership. How stupid are they? A real mechanic needs an eye and a brain, not a computer to tell them what's wrong with a car. My 2004 Grand am has 115,000 miles. Every now and then the security light would come on over the past year. Twice the car wouldn't start. The first time I waited 10 minutes and it started again. The 2nd time (last week) nothing...so i had it towed to the dealer. I was nervous thinking the repair would cost over $400. I waited 3 days for an answer. (my car was an emergency but not a priority over customers with appointments) Turns out they just charged me $105 for a diag fee and all they did was perform theft relearn and cleared the code for code B2960. I was assured i woudln't have a problem with the light anymore. I was relieved. A week later, the light came on for 2 hours then shut off. I was now pissed. I brought it back to the dealer and they can't pin point the problem unless the light is on. But how do I guarantee the light will be on when they get the car from the lot and drive it into the garage? This is going to be a waste of my time. But I don't want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere and can't start my car. What should I do?
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Replying to: knightrdrx (Jan 16, 2009 1:30 pm) I have just gotten my 2002 Impala back from an ex-GM mechanic this week. He came recommended by my mechanic who doesn't have the GM computers needed to work on the systems "correctly." Turns out the ex-GM mechanic didn't either and he wound up buying a BCM for twice the Internet price from a local parts dealer and then took the car by a GM dealership where he used to work and had them reprogram the BCM. The reprogramming cost $95 which was half the going shop rate. I wound up spending $600 and don't know if the problem will recur or not. At least now I know I have a current BCM so that rules it out in the future. My next security light will have me finding someone...anyone...who will install the resistor as mentioned previously in this thread...or at the very least cut the yellow wire coming from the ignition switch.(after first getting the car started.) Poorer in VA...but wiser. Just bought a 2005 Lincoln Town Car as a back-up. |
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When installing a remote starter on GM vehicles with Passlock a bypass module must be installed. The bypass module bypasses the passlock feature only when the remote starting feature is used. Some people have installed the bypass module in such a way that it defeats the passlock theft protection at all times. This sounds like an alternative to the resistor fix method described. My 2002 Grand Am has an autostart installed. Since the autostart feature along with the passlock bypass module is installed, if I were to develop the passlock problem very common with this car would I be able to use the autostart to start the car every time? I think it would work and buy me some time to fix the passlock issue. Any thoughts on this scenerio?
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Replying to: nick2006matrix (Jan 18, 2009 4:59 pm) I know now that I have a current and uncorroded BCM, so my next step(if/when the security problem recurs) may be to contact someone who installs remote starters and have them cut the yellow wire, install the resistor, or install a bypass module for me. I think DEI(not related to Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, I believe) is a popular brand name that is commonly available on Ebay. Oh, and to answer your question, as long as the problem is not BCM-related, you should continue to be able to remotely start your car or use your key, or heck, even a screwdriver, to start your car. |
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HOkiemo, I have the DEI remote starter in my Grand Am. The bypass module is sold separately since only certain applications require them. They are intended to be used to bypass the passlock only when remote start is activated but can be configured to bypass the passlock all the time. It is good to know that I can use the remote start if I have a problem, provided it is not BCM related.
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Replying to: nick2006matrix (Jan 19, 2009 8:19 am) |
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| I have the Valet 562t remote starter. Valet is made by Directed Electronics Inc. makes Valet as well as some other brands. The 562t is a common and inexpensive system. The bypass is sold separately along with some relays you may need depending on the application. I bought the car used not knowing it had the system installed. When I had some work done on the car the mechanic reconnected the battery and the car started up on its own. I was able to pick up a replacement remote on ebay and got it working very inexpensively. | |
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Just thought I'd drop in to say hi... My status here is the same; the security light is still illuminated steady, but the car starts & runs fine. So I'm sitting tight and will do some more troubleshooting when it warms up a bit... too cold here in Massachusetts right now. I also want to somehow find out & confirm exactly what year BCM's are interchangeable with my 2000 Grand Am. I can't find that out anywhere, darn it..... I'd sure like to know what year BCM's (if any) are interchangeable in case I go to a junkyard looking for a BCM. I doubt the yard guy would know that...... so I'd really like to find that out somehow.
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Replying to: tommyo1 (Jan 19, 2009 1:10 pm)
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Replying to: lovemygrandam (Jan 19, 2009 2:58 pm) I took a photo of my BCM; I wanted to make sure I had accurate part & model numbers from it in case I end up going to a junkyard for a replacement. The main number is... 09360179; then the number 870179RB01291259. That is the model BCM in my 2000 GT1. I would like to know if that particular one is interchangeable with a 2001, or 2002.... just in case the junkyard doesn't have a 2000 in the yard.. But I can't find that info anywhere.... When it gets a bit warmer here, I'll continue my troubleshooting some more. And if worst comes to worst, I'll simply put a piece of black electrician's tape over that illuminated security light and say the heck with it. The car runs like a champ; runs & starts fine... But it sure does bug me why that darn light is on, lol..
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