Security Light Blinks And Car Won't Start

2000 Pontiac Grand Am (Page 1 of 2)

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

8.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$260
Average Mileage:
107,050 miles
Total Complaints:
40 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (31 reports)
  2. just bypass the pass lock (4 reports)
  3. turn key and wait 10 minutes (3 reports)
  4. new key (1 reports)
  5. take apart and clean ignition (1 reports)
2000 Pontiac Grand Am electrical problems

electrical problem

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2000 Pontiac Grand Am Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #40

May 012004

Grand Am GT 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

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

The passlock system has been a real pain and i already replaced the cylinder once already and contrary to what the manual states, leave the key in the run position for 10 minutes won't work as i did that and try starting my car again but the light comes on again. This is mostly related to leaving the key in the ignition or switching back and forth from ACC to run and so forth. The easiest way to fix this problem is to bypass the security system.

I recently installed a security system/remote start which automatically bypasses the passlock system if you use the remote start. Eventually i may have to either have the cylinder lock cleaned or replaced. Sometimes though i become absent minded and use the key which sets off the security light, like at this one time i was at a gas station and had to wait the 10 minutes because i used the key instead of the remote start. Additionally the only way to reset it is to try to set it off and wait the 10 minutes so if you do accidently start your car you got one or two shots before your car is dead for 10 minutes.

The worst part is GM won't replace the cylinder lock but they complain about an unintended key rotation recall. They do something else to prevent the key from rotating by gluing the key ring to the key which doesn't make any sense because the key rotation could still happen. I love my car and GM but they are lousy with fixing known issues by fixing the issue so it doesn't break again. Ideally installing a switch that automatically overrides the passlock system is the best way to fix this issue as GM won't do it themselves. Finding someone who will do it for fairly cheap is another story. But it's better than replacing the cylinder which may be a problem again down the road.

- midnightdistort, Chicago, IL, US

problem #39

Feb 022016

Grand Am 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,221 miles

security light stays on and car wont start. WTF?? wait eleven minutes, do it three time and waste Y time, then it will start again

- hansfl, Brooksville, FL, US

problem #38

Mar 102012

Grand Am SE1 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 142,915 miles

I've got an 00 grand am se1 3.4. it started with security light flashing and unable to start, did the 10 min acc thing and it eventually started (sometimes 2 attempts are needed). happened several times leaving me stuck and waiting in parking lots, even happened twice in one day. Then while driving the other day my security light came on and has been on constantly since then but haven't had any trouble starting it as of late. I'm always having to leave 20 mins early in fear it wont start. and always worried if it'll not start at a very bad time (like at the gas pump) the cost of fixing the problem at the dealership is crazy for a 12 yr old car. Think I'm going to save up and get something different, A FORD I will never buy a gm product ever again, if I had known so many people had the SAME EXACT PROBLEM, and GM never recalled it, I never would have bought the thing. They have lost my business for life.

- ght198267, London, ON, canada

problem #37

May 172012

Grand Am GT 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,789 miles

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

My Grand Am Gt's security light would randomly flash, and then wouldn't start. Always when we were in a hurry to get somewhere. As stated by many others the car would usually restart in about 10 mins. I have found that repeated pressing of the trip reset button will usually get you going within a minute. be gentle, as it is not a very strong button!!! lol Some gas, and a match would be another solution. GM won't acknowledge this problem in any of the models affected. They wanted to look for the problem at $95 per hour. NOT!!!!

I hope this method will help some of you at least.

- dutch2008can, Turtle Creek, NB, Canada

problem #36

Jul 022012

Grand Am 4S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Ok this started about a month after I got the car. It wasn't a big deal at first, because it only happened once every two months or so. But about two weeks ago the Security light did the same thing it always did only this time, after waiting ten minutes it just kept turning on, wait ten more minutes and it did it again. and so on. I ended up having to get the car towed and was put into the shop. They "reprogrammed" the computer and fixed the fuel filter and fuel lines and they said everything was fixed. The day I got the car back, it did the same exact thing. It has now been two weeks and today it did it to me twice in a 30 minute period. It seems like it's just getting worse no matter what I do. PLEASE HELP!! I'm not sure if I should keep spending money on the stupid thing or just sell it as is. I have two kids and we were stranded in the 95 degree weather because of this stupid system. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

- Amy P., Toronto, OH, US

problem #35

Apr 132011

Grand Am V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

THIS SECURITY LIGHT IS BULL SH*T. First it was just staying on, now its flashing. I have court in less then 24 hours. And my car has not started for 2 days. People keep sayng to cut the YELLOW WIRE... not smart before you do that you want to look at Vatt Codes because Yellow wires usually are the air bags just FYI.. just unhook the whole security system. thats what i am going to do. If it gets stolen ohhhhh well someone else can fix it. ive had this car for 2 years and so far these are the issues ive had.

1. Over heating 2. Radaitor resavor 3. Fans going out 4. Breaks 5. Thermostat 3 different times 6. Fuses going out like crazy 7. Battery issues 8. Lights not working

JUST EVERY F*CKING THING THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM SINGER AUTO SALES.... DO NOT BUY THERE THEY SALE POS... AND DONT CARE. WHOEVER BUYS A PONTIAC OF ANY KIND IS F*CKING STUPID THEY ARE THE WOREST CARS EVER. AND SHOULD NOT EVEN BE SOLD THIS CAR HAS COSTED ME SO MUCH MONEY IVE PUT MORE INTO THIS CAR THEN ITS BLUE BOOK VALUE.

DO NOT BUY PONTIACS UNLESS YOU HAVE TIME AND ALOT OF DAMN $$$$$ TO FIX THE ISSUES. YOU FIX ONE ISSUE AND 30 DAYS LATER ANOTHER ONE POPS UP. NOT EVEN KIDDING EVERY MONTH SOMETHING ELSE GOES OUT OR BREAKS. DUE TO MILES ON MY CAR... NEXT TO GO OUT THAT I AM EXPECTING IS MY HEAD GASGETS. ITS BOUND TO HAPPEN ASK ANYONE AFTER 130 THOUSAND MILES YOUR CAR WILL START GOING TO SH*T AND AT 170 THOUSAND MILES YOUR CAR IS DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FIX THIS SH*T GM DEALERSHIPS YOU GUYS F*CKIN SUCK NO WONDER WHY US AMERICANS ARE ALWAYS SO DAMN GRUMPY EVERYTHING WE MAKE GOES TO SH*T...................

- shantelf, Magna, UT, US

problem #34

Aug 072011

Grand Am SE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

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

My car has always started alright but yesterday before church my key would not crank over my engine yet all my lights were working indicating charged battery. I disconnected the negative terminal off of my battery and reconnected and my car started fine. After 5 more times of starting and turning off my car I go to turn it on outside of my friends and it doesn't start again. The battery disconnected then did not help the problem and my car is stuck at my friends house. The security light flashes also. Lucky for me my friends dad is a certified General Motors mechanic and tomorrow morning on his day off hes going to look at it. Will post problem/solution when I can.

- blackkat7073, Barberton, OH, US

problem #33

Jan 172011

Grand Am 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Thank goodness for everyone who posted the resetting of the anti-theft..by turning key to on position for 10 minutes and then turning the key over. It truly worked...made my husband kinda mad ( he was a skeptic) because he is knew that it had to be something else, like an ignition modular or something.

- Theresa S., Holly Ridge, NC, US

problem #32

Sep 012010

Grand Am 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

Ok where the hell do i start....I got the car about a year ago and at first the car drove fine. It took me to Louisiana and Georgia. But as soon as i get back to Missouri it starts this S#%$. I naturally leave my keys in my car overnight because I'm lazy and wanna leave them in there. Well whenever that dam security light comes on and starts flashing it wont start. I just recently had to buy a new starter...200 dollars and it didn't even fix the problem!!!! Definitely the last Pontiac i will ever own.

- Steven W., Smithville, MO, US

problem #31

May 012010

Grand Am 4 Door 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles

The security light on 2000 Pontiac Grand Am.

I got this car from a car lot 6 months ago so how long the issue has been going on, I'm not sure.

I have noticed that it really does not matter with my car. Since I have spent many countless hot summer days stuck at the gas station with 2 cranky hot kids in the back seat ready to pass out from the heat. I have timed it right down to the second. 9 min 40 sec.

It kinda seems that when I start the car lightly, meaning I don't crank over the key fast and hard, it seems to shut down after that. It doesn't make any difference if the key stays in the ignition, its on or anything else. It just shuts off after 9 min 40 sec.

My friend hooked a diagnostics to it when it was perfectly fine and it had said something about passlock fuel was disconnected.

So i'm not sure if someone can or has seen the same thing cause i'm thinking it's probably related. But not sure.

- Jamie K., West Linn, OR, US

problem #30

Aug 212010

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

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

Ok I'm a very busy man I don't have time to just sit around and wait for my car to start when it feels like it. I work 2 jobs and the one I'm at the most I get off around 1am and recently when I really wanna go home and go to bed I get in my car and it wont start. The security light is just blinking at me and then I have to sit and wait about a half hour. What's going on? Is there a real fix to the problem or should i just say screw it and push it into a lake? I need to fix this, any suggestions????

- poloprepguy, Massillon, OH, US

problem #29

Aug 012010

Grand Am

  • Automatic transmission
  • 168,000 miles

I have been late to work, stranded at random places, and now i'm scared to go anywhere. I first noticed a buzz noise would come on when i went to start my car and sometimes it'd take 2 times to start it but it would always start. The wierd thing is that it would start my clock over to 1pm everytime so i knew something inside was wrong. Then the security light came on a few weeks ago and then today I couldn't start my car at all. The lights would come on the clock or radio wouldn't work and then after a while it would randomly start. Today I was late to work but to start it I just kinda tugged on random things on the battery and it worked but really no rhyme or reason to it. I saw on the website the suggestions about turning the key to the ACC and waiting 10min. and then letting the security start over so i'm going to try that and if it doesn't work i'm screwed!!

- brittanyidaho, Rexburg, ID, US

problem #28

Feb 162010

Grand Am SE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 170,000 miles

You have the PASSLOCK also known as MRD to locksmiths anti-theft system. The security light is telling you there is a malfunction in the system. The use of different keys means nothing becuse the security is built into the lock/ housing portion. The ignition key for this vehicle does not have a chip in it and a duplicate key can be made at a hardware store.

The way this system works is the vehicle's computer has to see the rotation of the ignition lock and the computer is not seeing this in your instance. This system has a magnetic field in the ignition housing as it relates to the lock. If the lock is forced from the housing the field is broken and the engine will not start. What I have seen to be a common problem over time is that ignition lock lubricatant eventually sprays on the outside of the lock into the housing eventually making it so the vehicle's computer can not see you rotating the ignition to ON. The correction would be; have a locksmith remove the ignition lock and clean the body of the lock and inside the housing. Reinstall and that seems to fix the problem in many cases.

If this is not the problem, you will need to take it into the dealer to scan for codes.

Good Luck!

- tsp1966, Kingfisher, OK, US

problem #27

Dec 212009

Grand Am 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,421 miles

I started haven the problem with the secerity light comming on and i would just turn the key to the on position and get out of the car and wait for ten minutes and then got back in and turned the car off and the car would start on jan 3 i called gm and complaind but to no satisfaction they told me cause of the milages they could not do any thing about it it is no my problem so please to all that have the same problem contact gm and complain about this

- Timothy D C., Piqua, Ohih, US

problem #26

Sep 212009

Grand Am GT 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,237 miles

My girlfriends car likes being a piece of sh*t.(pardon) she leaves for work at 6:00 am. I wake up to fing MY CAR gone cuz her pile wouldn't start due to the security light coming on when she attempts to start it. This has happened many times, and normally we just let the thing sit for a day and it starts.. This last time I noticed there were digits missing on the odometer. Say, if it ORIGINALLY said 139237 it would NOW say 1_9__7. So I pushed the trip button repeatedly and quickly not to reset it the numbers came back one at a time over a series of about 20 pushes and then it started but would not prior to me doing this.. Also, she had mentioned that it USUALLY only happens when she leaves the keys in the ignition over night. This worked for me and has not happened for a while since . It seemed to be quicker than the leave it sit method. So good luck and feel free to let me know if there is a recall for this situation. thanks

- Doug P., Kewaunee, WI, US

problem #25

Jul 092008

Grand Am 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,587 miles

I see this is not only my daughters problem. i've spent over 1000 dollars to fix this and it still happens. Don't know if there is a fix but don't let them replace the ignition or charge you to reset it, that doesn't work!!!!! F--- GM LETS GIVE THEM SOME MORE STIMULUS MONEY TO SCREW THINGS UP....

- Chris R., Glenpool, OK, US

problem #24

Jul 272009

Grand Am GT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,166 miles

I had this same problem. Took it to a garage (Pontiac dealer). The charged me more than $500 to change the ignition cylinder. I of course was sceptical after reading this forum. The problem is now back, it's about a month later. I have been using a different vehicle for a few days. Then went to take the GrandAm ...and same old problem. I'm gonna take it back to the garage tomorrow and get them to try again, and refund the last repair. This definitely needs to be recalled!

- cmanitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

problem #23

Jul 212009

Grand Am SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles

SORRY IF THIS POSTS TWICE. I JUST RECENTLY SPOKE WITH A "DISTRICT SPECIALIST" AT GM, WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE REASON THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE IS BECAUSE THE COMPLAINTS HAVE NOT REACH THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE. I AM NOT SURE IF I BELIEVE THAT TO BE THE REASON AS THEY WERE CLEARLY ABLE TO PULL UP IN THEIR DATABASE THE INFORMATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD THIS ISSUE REPAIRED 3 YEARS AGO!!!! I PAID $500 TO HAVE IT FIXED AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME I NEED TO PAY ANOTHER $500 TO HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN AND I AM NOT HAPPY. SO WHATEVER COMPLAINT YOU HAVE ABOUT YOUR VEHICLE, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO CALL YOUR LOCAL DEALER FIRST, BUT CONTACT GM CUSTOMER SERVICE DIRECTLY AT 1-866-790-5700 AND LET'S SEE IF ANY PROGRESS IS MADE

- mskand78, Kansas City, KS, US

problem #22

May 082009

Grand Am SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,769 miles

I can't see that Pontiac won't make a recall on this problem. it's not only one car that does it, it's probably all the Grand Am's they had on the productivity line. Is it possible to remove the anti-theft mechanism somehow?

- paulsavoie44, Neguac, N.B, Canada

problem #21

May 072009

Grand Am SE 4.2L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

Numerous times my car will leave me stranded at the most inopportune moment. I try to start and the motor will sputter and security light starts flashing and I know I will have to wait 20-30 minutes before it will go off again and I can start the car. I found this site today and found that I was not alone in this problem. I called my local Pontiac dealership and was told that it's an electrical problem in the ignition switch. This problem has never been recalled by the Pontiac company and it would cost approximately $350.00 to fix it. ARE THEY INSANE!!! If this is a problem that occurs over and over again then they should have to fix it. When I am in a better place financially I will get rid of this piece of JUNK and purchase another car and it will not be an American made product. I hate to say that but I had a Honda a few years ago and NEVER had one problem with that car. I will either purchase a Honda or a Toyota and not worry one little bit that I'm not purchasing an American made product. If they would look at the foreign car industry and put out a decent vehicle, we as Americans wouldn't have the complaints and the problems we have as consumers for American made cars.

- Susan B., Bristol, VA, US

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