I have been having this problem since Nov.2007 and didn't do anything about it until Feb. when I got stranded in 15 degree weather (thanks a lot GM). I decided to take it to the mechanic, at first I was told that it could be the starter, he checked it, it was fine. Then he checked my battery and I needed a new one that cost me 130.00 (that's pretty expensive for a battery if you ask me). I went to the store later that day came back out and it wouldn't start. I did the 10min on and off routine and it started. This goes on for about a month until I get stuck again. This time I take it to the chevy dealer and they keep it because of course it would not do it for them. So, on the third day I called them and they said it still wasn't doing it so, I told them I would be by later in the day to pick it up. The mechanic called back 40min. later to tell me I need a new ignition switch. I go ahead and replace it and that cost 400.00 (i'm not sure if it really needed that or they just wanted my money) but I am still having the same problem and the dealer says there is nothing they can do about it. All they want is our money they don't care if they solve the problem or not. GM SUCKS!

Actually for the past year or so I have had trouble with my car not starting. I initially took it to the local Chevy car Dealership and after about $600.00 they said it had something to do with the security system. They installed a passlock system and program passlock sensor. Well this fixed the car for about a couple months or so and then the same thing kept happening. I would get in my car to start it and it would act like it had no spark to turn over. After doing the "wait ten minute thing and working the ignition switch and moving the gear shift it eventually would start. About two years later and putting more money into this car I have come to the conclusion that General Motors has no idea what the problem is. Last week I tapped the starter while a friend turned the key over and it started. I thought just maybe it must be the starter. After replacing the starter I went about three days and I was back to the same problem of my car not starting. Tapping the starter does get it to turn over. But the starter is not the problem. After reading numerous complaints on this subject it is about time General Motors Fixes the problem instead of gouging their customers for unnecessary work and money. I will take this to car dealership at their expense this time. Thanks to AutoBeef, I am more aware that this is an ongoing problem.

Cindy in Pennsylvania

Okay, I thought we were one of the lucky ones and never had the problem with our Impala not starting on us until a few weeks ago. I did the wait thing for 30 minutes and it started. It's happened to my wife twice now. She didn't feel like waiting 30 minutes so the first time she hit the gas pedal 3 times and it started. Second time that trick didn't work so she locked and unlocked the car while the key was in the ignition and that worked. I've decided not to go to the dealer with it so I'm searching for a permanent work around solution.

I just wanted to add my complaint for the record. Sounds like the same issue everyone else has. This happened to me before at 30000 miles (3 years ago) and the dealer replaced the ignition cylinder for $400. This time I thought I'd search and find out how I could bypass the sensor. I actually don't care if the car can be started without the key being recognized. Just want it to start! I saw the note about leaving the key in (without turning it) and with the door open long enough for the "ding" to be loud (allow time for the key to be recognized), and that worked at least for now.

HERE'S THE FIX

I purchased a 01 police special from a county auction, love the car but started having the same problems you all are having, probably the reason I got the car so cheap�

1) INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEM- "wait ten minutes thing" "reset computer thing" problem is in the ignition switch. Not the lock cylinder, but the switch attached to it. Inside the switch there are six metals contacts that resemble fingers, they make contact in a set pattern when you turn the key, the problem is these contacts are metal and when they open and close they are prone to arching which in turn creates carbon build up. Your passlock system reads the resistance from these contacts to determine if the vehicle is being stolen, the more build up, the more resistance and your computer thinks you are jacking the car. You can buy a new switch from any parts house for around $120.00, I opted to remove mine and clean the contact's myself. I removed the ignition switch from the cylinder and opened it up, as I did this some of the contacts and springs fell out, don't panic, if you can remove the ignition from the car you can figure out how to put it back together. I used my rotary tool's brass brush to clean them up, I've heard of others using emery cloth, what ever works, you really can�t damage them. I haven't had any problems since. GM claims they don't know what the problem is, SHAME on them. DO NOT SPEND ANYMORE MONEY on computers or sensors, and ask yourself how much, do you trust your mechanic?

2) STALLING WHILE DRIVING- this was due to a bad crankshaft position sensor, I purchased from local parts house for $31.00 I removed the front passenger side wheel, took off the splash guard, removed the serpentine belt and removed the harmonic balancer to access the sensor, two bolt's removes the sensor and plug in the new one. The only problem I had doing this job was my air compressor was not strong enough to remove the harmonic balancer bolt so I put the belt and wheel back on, drove the corner garage and paid the mechanic $10.00 to loosen it with his air wrench, he agreed to tighten back down when I was done. No problems since, no more stalling.

3) HARD START-I also discovered from my inspection that the fuel line quick disconnect attached to the fuel rail would spray fuel when wiggled, this could be causing the fuel to leak back into the tank and aggravating the hard start thing, never the less fuel on the manifold is not a good thing so I installed a new fuel line purchased from GM $90.00

Now, does anyone know why my passenger floor board is soaked after a good rain?????

My 2001 Chevy Impala seemed to not want to start in the worst places. After this happening pretty much every weekend, my father and brother looked over the whole car. As my brother noticed the fuse box cover was upside down (obviously checked out before) he noticed my Fuel Injection Fuse was very loose and dirty. He gave it a simple tap, next thing you know the car started (after sitting for 2 days). After this was cleaned and tightened 2 months ago, my car has started perfectly everyday. I even see lights during the startup that weren't there before. As if something is all of a sudden registering. Hopefully this can help being that it seems like too easy of a solution, you never know. Check it out!

Problem started a year or more ago. Key in the ignition, battery is fully charged, but

the car did not start. Nothing. Then like magic, after 10 or 15 minutes, the car starts. Eventually the problem became more frequent so... I took it to my local guy... for $600 he replaced the BCM. 2 months later the car wouldn't start again. This time I was on business travel away from home. After frantically trying for 15 minutes, the car magically started. I was mad so I took it to the dealer. They replaced the BCM.

Another $600. Several months later, with the Impala in the garage, I try to start it on a cold Feb morning. Again, it wouldn't start. I say magic words, do a dance on the hood and click my heels 3 times. Nothing. Later my wife goes out and starts the car on the first try. Frustrating is only part of it. I have a new driver with my child turning 16 soon. I am not going to let my child drive a car that randomly doesn't start. I can see them in a dark parking lot trying to start the car... fearing for their life because of low-life kids who are noticing their problem and approaching with evil intent... scary thought!

I had issues with my 2001 Chevy Impala not starting. I personally replaced the ignition switch, battery, starter, and then had the Chevrolet dealership replace the Body Control Module, and the Pass Lock Security which included yet another ignition switch. This originally occurred in July of 2007, and now it is happening once again, and the dealership has told me twice, "Well, let's wait until it happens again and then bring it back". I have never seen customer service so sorry. The type of business that I am in, if I were to tell a customer let's wait and see if it happens again, then I would be out of a job. I am very put out with Chevrolet that they make vehicles that their "Certified Mechanics" (yeah right) can't even work on, or even have the know-how to work on. I regret the day that I ever bought this car. It is a 50-50 shot that when I get in my car that it is going to start. I was actually glad to see that I am not the only one that has ever seen this problem. You would think that with so many issues that Chevrolet would know how to fix it by now, Obviously not.

The security light comes on when I am driving the car. I have to try to start the car at least 1/2 hr early everyday just because I never know when it is going to start. I have had the starter replaced - not it. I have had the relay switch replaced - not it. Sometimes I just have to wait 10 or 15 minutes for the car to start and sometimes it can be hours. Over the past weekend, it would not start for 2 days! This is a real problem for me. I am tired of going through this. I am tired of the car not starting when I have to be somewhere. I have a friend who is a mechanic looking at it and he seems to be baffled. He is now thinking that it may be the neutral safety switch which he says is located in the transmission that I am sure would cost an arm and a leg to replace and is that even a possibility? Everytime it gets put on a scope, at least 6 or 7 different codes come up. I have had the car towed 3 times and each time, by the time someone gets a chance to look at it, it starts!

I have similar problems as mentioned in most of these complaints with my 01 Impala with 270,000km's...The shocks and the annoying no start problems even though the friggin blower fan works and dash lights (no dome light though) and then somehow when you turn it of turn it on wait turn it off touch your nose and click your heels it works again.... - check the battery and positive mount - oh gees look there is a handy plastic boot to cover all that nasty corrosion - the actual problem!. I had the ignition cylinder replaced - I even mentioned the corrosion problem but oh 'that was nothing'.... you mean woulda cost nothing instead of the 500$ you got from me for the repair that didn't fix anything. ARGH!

Anyway I do like Chevys, I despise mechanics! The BCM (Body Control Module) gets interrupted sensory info from the battery due to bad corrosion poor connectivity voltage drops or surges and thus disengages the starter - a good idea but frigging annoying! With a Chev - which I have learned from my 23 year old Cavalier who still starts in a spark at 20below zero- the solution to most seemingly major problems is always the simplest and the one thing most mechanics won't tell you. Good luck! and Never trust your Mechanic unless he's your Dad even then...be suspicious!

OKAY! SO...thanks to a drunk driver in southside RIchmond, I was forced to bury my Mazda, and RESSURECT THE "FRANKENSTEIN IMPALA". I purchased the Impala from a random guy, YES, and it has ALOT OF MILES; however, with no credit ~ what's a chic to do? EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE DAMN THING, i have been getting the JUNK shocked out of me, and the SECURITY LIGHT would flash, and the engine wouldn't turn. After calling the OVERLORDS at Chevy, they told me to "put the key in; put it on ON for ten minutes, the light will stop flashing, hold the key on START for 10 seconds, take the key out, and then re-start"...A bit Obsessive Compulsive, but it DID work at first... well, as of LAST NIGHT, IT DON'T WORK NO MORE!!!! My car has def got some voltage flying through it! I wa shocked several times while trying to start the damn thing, and the radio was off...but there was static comming through the driver's side door. I am tired of looking up stuff on starter solenoids, pass lock sensors, ignition switches... this just sux. If ANYONE out there get's their car crushed by a drunk driver, do NOT buy an IMAPALA as your 're-bound' car :( OH YEAH- And I got the SPAZZOID turn signal problem too!

I too have joined the club of the infamous bad ignition switch. I took my car for a simple inspection and I noticed the security light came on, I never noticed this before and didn't give it much thought, until the guys at the garage couldnt start my car when they were done. So the guys told me it was the security system and they reset it for free (which was very nice) but told me to take it to a dealer to have it serviced. So I did, and they called me saying it will take 500 dollars to replace the ignition switch. I was like w t f?? I just spent 250 on a tie rod, tires, alignment, and a signal switch just so it will pass inspection and now I need to spend another 500? It looks like I will be living in my car that wont start.

The engine will not turn over at the most random times. I had a new battery put on it but the problem still exists. The most frustrating thing is that when it won't start I call my husband to deal with it and by the time he can get to it it will start without any problem. I know when it is fixing to happen because the temperature gauge will randomly stop working and the cooling fans run all the time, even when I shut the car off. When I go to start the car again it won't start. All of the interior lights and gauges are on, but the car won't turn over.

I am glad to know that there truly is something wrong with my car and not just operator error as my husband has suggested. The engine will not turn over at the most random times. I will park it and go in somewhere and then come out to find that it won't start. I had the starter reworked thinking that might be the problem and also had a new battery put on it. Nothing has fixed it yet. The most frustrating thing is that when it won't start I call my husband to deal with it and by the time he can get to it it will start without any problem. I have had problem after problem with this car.

2001 Chevy Impala... same problems I have read on this site .. all of them... I have found the car does not turn over after being exposed to direct sun light for long periods of time... If I park in the garage.. never a problem... put it in direct sunlight.. car will not turn over... crazy? If you disconnect battery cable (negative) car will sometimes start immediately after reconnecting... but the solution I found something this week that works every time... which may direct us to a cause. When the vehicle does not start.. I open the hood and pour water on the circuit breakers and relay assembly(located just above battery on passenger side) the car starts right up... I am guessing one of the relays is stuck open/closed and the water cools it to allow it to reset. It has done it four times this week and this worked each time. I am looking into replacing this part from a junk yard.

Do not pay for a new ignition, battery, Body Control Module or starter or pass system... this is not the problem. If you look on the internet as I have been doing for 6 months you will see people replacing these parts without success.

Chevy knows about these problems but is doing everything they can to have you think this is a problem with your vehicle only.