Pontiac Grand Am Security Passlock Problems

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

You are in the Pontiac Grand Am Forum.

Your Hosts are kirstie_h & karens

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.

#948 of 1226 Re: Information filled link on this subject [judd0081] by lovemygrandam

Apr 10, 2011 (6:27 pm)

The link you furnished is a good reference for many of the GM vehicles listed, however, it only pertains to vehicles that have a separate Anti-theft module. On these cars:
1999 - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
1997 - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
1999 - 2004 Pontiac Grand Am
The body control module contains the circuitry and brains for the anti-theft system, so the fix for the system is different. On the other hand, the Body Control Modules are seldom the culprit for Anti-Theft failures, so the resistor bypass will almost always work.

#950 of 1226 Re: passlock problems [curlylocks1014] by canihuh

Apr 29, 2011 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: curlylocks1014 (Apr 10, 2006 3:47 pm)

I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am GT, I'm having the same problems with the SECURITY / PASSLOCK system as is everyone else here is mentioning. I called GM "they don't care" It's going to cost a small fortune to get the problems fixed. My local dealer, Wyatt Johnson in Clarksville, Tennessee wouldn't even hook up the computer to see what error codes were showing without a fee.

Replies to this message:

lovemygrandam (Apr 30, 2011 7:07 am)
- canihuh (Apr 30, 2011 7:24 am)
  - lovemygrandam (Apr 30, 2011 4:24 pm)

#951 of 1226 Re: passlock problems [canihuh] by lovemygrandam

Apr 30, 2011 (7:07 am)

Replying to: canihuh (Apr 29, 2011 3:20 pm)

Apparently you didn't read about the fix for this problem at the beginning of this thread.
Go to Bergerweb.net and read about fixes for this problem on both Grand Am's and Aleros

Dick Berger

Replies to this message:

canihuh (Apr 30, 2011 7:24 am)
- lovemygrandam (Apr 30, 2011 4:24 pm)

#952 of 1226 Re: passlock problems [lovemygrandam] by canihuh

Apr 30, 2011 (7:24 am)

Replying to: lovemygrandam (Apr 30, 2011 7:07 am)

I love my GrandAm GT RAM AIR V6 Coupe also, but I'm not going to cut wires and install switches and so fourth. I know what I have to do to fix my car!! I DID READ THE THREAD and tons more of information!! THANK YOU!!

Replies to this message:

lovemygrandam (Apr 30, 2011 4:24 pm)

#953 of 1226 Re: passlock problems [canihuh] by lovemygrandam

Apr 30, 2011 (4:24 pm)

Replying to: canihuh (Apr 30, 2011 7:24 am)

Sorry. I did not mean to offend. Most of us here on this forum are in the same boat as you. We have Grand Am's and Alero's which we love, but cannot get service for since they are no longer supported by GM. Sad to say, the only way we can keep them going is by finding mechanics who are willing to work on them, or by making modifications to bypass some of the systems which are failing with age, and are not necessary for proper operation of the vehicle. The modification I recommend on my website is a proven solution to the Passlock problem, researched by several GM engineers. It is only a suggestion to avoid paying $400+ to have the ignition lock replaced, and then have the same problem re-occur within a year.

I did fail in my previous post to explain that it would not have helped to have the diagnostic unit attached to your vehicle to read out the trouble codes. The Passlock system does not store any trouble codes that can be read out at the diagnostic connector. The standard price for a diagnostic readout is $40.00, according to the Pontiac Manual. Most Chevrolet dealers will do it for $25.oo. If you want a trouble code readout, you should be able to get the best deal from a Chevrolet dealer, but there are probably other mechanics around who will charge less. If you bring your car to my garage, i'll read out the codes for free, (Ok, I know that's not practical, since I live in Michigan, and who would want to drive up here in the cold.)
Anyway, good luck, and I hope you find a good mechanic to keep your Grand Am running.
Dick B.

#954 of 1226 Concerned Grand Am Owners by canihuh

May 03, 2011 (2:57 pm)

Grand Am problems found online, please feel free to take a look at these complaints. When will we get some results, Class Action Lawsuit maybe?

Sent To CAC

Replies to this message:

kirstie_h (May 04, 2011 8:00 am)
lovemygrandam (May 04, 2011 11:45 am)
- burdawg (May 05, 2011 6:44 am)

#955 of 1226 Re: Concerned Grand Am Owners [canihuh] by kirstie_h HOST

May 04, 2011 (8:00 am)

Replying to: canihuh (May 03, 2011 2:57 pm)

Not sure if a class action lawsuit would benefit anyone. Keep on complaining, hire a personal lawyer if you need to, and get others to file complaints with NHTSA.

A class action lawsuit generally takes several years, by which time many will be rid of their vehicles. And, the resolutions are rarely of much benefit to the consumer and often benefit the company you're suing - example: if successful, each owner will get a few coupons for oil changes, or, say, a $500 off certificate for the purchase of a new GM vehicle. The latter is a likely outcome. I was recently in a "class" that sued Bank of America over unjustified fees and bill pay delays. I haven't had a BOA account for at least 5 years. So I get a letter regarding the resolution - if I sign the form, send it to my ex-spouse to sign, and send it in, I'll get a check for $5 (to split, of course). The lawyers undoubtedly got millions.

#956 of 1226 Radio. by alicianicole

May 04, 2011 (10:08 am)

Well, I have this problem with my 01 grandam...

It seems to always break on me, but anywho. I recently put a new radio and sound system in my car from a present from my fiancee... Maybe a month later the Security Red light came on... So we took it out and put in my factory brand radio... Now today I was searching through your forums, and I was curious if putting the new radio in my car could cause such a problem.. And if so will it happen when i put my new radio in again?? And is there anyway I can have my new radio in my car?? ( We are also trying the whole deal of cutting wires and saudering them) I just wanted to know if the radio i put in would cause the same problem. Your help would be MUCHHHHHHH appreciated!!!

Replies to this message:

lovemygrandam (May 04, 2011 11:29 am)

#957 of 1226 Re: Radio. [alicianicole] by lovemygrandam

May 04, 2011 (11:29 am)

Replying to: alicianicole (May 04, 2011 10:08 am)

The radio is NOT Part of the passlock system. The problem is two fold.
1. The passlock module fails slowly, and causes intermittent "passlock" lockouts.
2. The connector at the ignition switch that handles the passlock signals becomes intermittent, causing the same type of lockouts.
The dealer fix is to replace the module. Trouble is, they don't replace the connector, so their fix isn't permanent.
Solution can be found here:Bergerweb.net

If you have already paid to have the ignition switch replaced. Print out the instructions, take them to the dealer, and say you want your f--- money back.

Unfortunately, there aren't any Pontiac dealers any more. Remember.... the company went bankrupt?????? So for those who think they are going to get a class action suit going...... FAT CHANCE

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