Cranks But Won't Turnover

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

8.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$240
Average Mileage:
89,550 miles
Total Complaints:
15 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (12 reports)
  2. get better well known gas such as shell, marathon,exonn (1 reports)
  3. replace fuse #37 under hood (1 reports)
  4. replace ignition switch (1 reports)
2002 Pontiac Grand Am electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments

problem #15

Aug 182016

Grand Am 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 171,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

bought a 2002 pontiac grand am went to start my car yesterday would crank but nothing. so I waited an hour and hit the rest button on the inside the drivers door and it started up, but has done this several times to me. so yesterday I swapped out relay for fuel pump cause I didn't hear pump kick in and hit the rest button and it started. but I am sure it wasn't my fuel pump relay I think its the damn pass lock i think pontiac needs to do its job and treat people like they want to be treated please fix this issue

- Connie L., Kenton, OH, US

problem #14

Jun 012012

Grand Am V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles

When you turn the ignition during the day sometimes it would take 3 or more times to start sometimes once. Brought to my mechanic left 2 days tryed it but could not get a diagnostic problem because it does it and does not,tough to get a reading no codes given,Told me to take to Pontiac people and have them diagnose what is wrong.What is going on?

- ronri, Cranston, RI, US

problem #13

Jun 012012

Grand Am V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

Auto wont start until you turn the ignition several times,sometimes it starts on first try,Whats wrong?Pain in the ASS.I want it fixed and now.

- ronri, Cranston, RI, US

problem #12

Sep 092011

Grand Am 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

i have 02 pontiac grand am and it wont start, it cranks over and getting spark and getting fuel, I replaced crank sensor, however i pulled spark plugs and didnt smell gas in the cylinders when someone else was cranking it with the key. not sure if fuel rail is bad or if the computer isnt letting the fuel into cylinders. the fuel rail is getting fuel cause i checked the release pressure valve like on a tire which is located on front side of motor. what is my problem?

- jc1980, Syracuse, NY, US

problem #11

Aug 062009

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I went thru this hell for about a year. First one day the key wouldn't turn. I put a new ignition and switch in. right after that the security light came on and off. The car wouldn't start, had to play the key game of leaving it in the on position for 10 min. till security light stopped blinking turn off, then start it. I went back to the aftermarket seller (aprox a year from buying it), and they told me it was a defective ignition switch they sold me. They gave me a new one, I changed it again and now it doesn't happen. It may have happened a couple of times, but not in the last 8 months. Security light still on, but I'm not messing with a good thing!

- loopie4262, Westfield, MA, US

problem #10

Jun 012010

Grand Am GT 3400

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

I spent over 1300 dollars and then found a posting on your web site. thanks so much

- T R., P, IL, US

problem #9

Feb 032010

Grand Am SE 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,216 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

i have an 02 pontiac grand am with an intermittent no start condition and found a blown fuse #37 in the underhood fuse block

- Paul S., Fergus, ON, Canada

problem #8

Aug 252009

Grand Am SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

not the first time this has happened. my security light would go off and on every now and then. then 1 day it wouldn't turn over. i had it towed to my mechanic who then told me it had to do with the security light and the ignition. the dealer replaced the ignition and it had to do with the security system. that was within the last year. WHY IS MY CAR BACK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM!!! i love my car and wouldn't replace it for the world but can pontiac fix the problem ?

- Brenda T., Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #7

Oct 242008

Grand Am SE 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

died while driving,has spark,has power at injectors,has fuel pressure,just cranks over!!!

- rmallett, Massillon, OH, US

problem #6

Oct 022008

Grand Am LS 2.2L Ecotech

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,230 miles

02 grand am with the 2.2 ecotech put an new motor in the car. it will crank but wont start. however if the scanner is plugged in under the dash the car will start. even if the scanner is not on or even attached to the computer. only lugged in and it will start an run. if you unplug the cord the motor will stop. what do i do im sick of driving around with a cord hanging under my feet. and i have tried unplugging the battery. an turning it on for 10 minutes. trying to reset it.

- Pete S., Lansing, MI, US

problem #5

Apr 302008

Grand Am SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car wouldn't start, took it to mechanic...they replaced fuel pump. Still wouldn't start. Turned out to be security passlock system. They replaced the ignition/passlock swich...still having problems every 3 months or so. I currently use the "wait 10 minutes rule" and then it starts. It's becoming more frequent. Pontiac dealership said I could replace the passlock switch again, but it will probably keep happening and have to be replaced every so often. There seems to be no permanent solution. Also, the blinkers work sporadically. I had previously taken it in because there was smoke from steering column, they replaced the turn signal arm....stopped smoking, but blinkers still don't work all the time unless I push the hazard light button several times. This car is junk!!! There is no solution to the passlock system except cutting a yellow wire, which is risky and car dealerships won't do it. I will never buy another pontiac again, period!!!!!

- Lisa L., Clarksville, TN, US

problem #4

Apr 162008

Grand Am GT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

I was having problems cranking my car in cold, when I played my radio too loud, etc. Anything and everything would set my car off and it would turn over when it wanted to. I asked my dad about the problem after taking the car to the dealership 3 times and them telling me they can't find the problem. My dad works for gm at the headquarters in Detroit and is good with cars. H asked me what gas company was I using the most and out here in Atlanta I was using the cheap gas either qt or racetrack. My dad told me to stop using those and to use shell, marathon, or exxon. He said that the amount of alcohol in the gas can effect my engine due to it converting into water. So I did as he said and haven't had a problem since and it has been 3 weeks. I had the start up problem for 2months so I am in debted to my father hahaha. But I had to dshare this knowledge so just watch what gas is placed in your car. I am from now on using strictly shell no matter how much it costs. I hope this helps you guys.

- wokeemosabae, Lithia Springs, GA, US

problem #3

May 092008

Grand Am SE 2.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,600 miles

Mechanic says its the security, I hope so. I have had so many problems with this car its ridiculous. The cost for this is horrible. Every time its something different the car is in someone else's name so i cant get rid of it. I hope this works, this is to much money put out.

- miesha, Chicago, IL, US

problem #2

Apr 092008

Grand Am 2.2L Eco

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,137 miles

OK I came here to find some info about Passlock, Well! I got alot more than I bargained for??? Has every one had this problem??? My wife who is also 5 months pregnant got off work yesterday to find her Grand am will turn over but no start, I wont go into it cause ive seen literally hundreds of complaints about the same issue and they all tell the same story............ But Pontiac if your listening??? What if my wife were out in the country as she normally is with no phone reception and this happened.. Its a dangerous game your playing thats all Im saying, why not come up with a resolution?

- Kevin H., New Glasgow, NS, Canada

problem #1

Nov 122007

Grand Am SE1 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,420 miles

I love this car and hate it at the same time, it runs great, once you can get it started. Had it do the crank not start thing several times over the summer dealer said tough, finally it stalls out while I was driving my 6 yr old to school, no lights came on, started right up. Took in they replaced a washer on a wire $56.00 and told me it might work LOL WTF is that crap..... everything was fine until about two weeks ago I noticed my security light was on, I cringed, I read all about the wonderful piece of sh*t passlock system. Ran ok light went off, now as of yesterday I have to crank about 4 times to get it too turn over, the alternator is fine, the starter is fine, the fuel system is fine, the car will start the rest of the day, but sure enough did the same thing morning. My extended warranty go figure doesn't cover the ignition system, being a single mom, right before Christmas, having to get the warped rotors and brakes replaced for the 3rd time in the year Ive this care, and the calling dealership and getting the BS about the $400 ignition fix, that obviously doesn't work Ive seen several people post on sites about having this fixed 3 and 4 times, I tell you if I could afford to trade in right now I would take the loss on this piece of sh*t. You buy a car thats newer to avoid the breakdowns, and here we go again.

If I had 100,000 miles on it I could understand but this car only has 67,000 miles on it, Im going foreign next time, GM refuses to help and they know this is a HUGE problem with all their vehicles with this security system in it....but hey they are making money off of our pain right.

- rottie110, Williamsville, NY, US

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