I bought a real nice 2001 Intrigue several years ago, and when we first bought it for our daughter, it has about 36,500 miles, and since then it periodically does not start, but if you wait about 10 minutes, then it starts. at first I thought it was a moisture problem, but it happens randomly, raining or wet or dry. Is this a passlock problem? Like I said, it has all lights, but will not crank. Took it to an electrical shop; they said they could not find problem unless it currently was not working.

Is there a plausible explanation for this and a plausible solution. I really like the car but I cannot keep subjecting my daughter to having the car not start when she might have to travel to an unsafe neighborhood or just if she has to be somewhere at a certain time.

Thanks for your help!

Sounds like it could be an ignition switch issue. Pretty common on these cars.

If you got a little bit of time, and mechanical aptitude, heres a few things you can do for free.


1. Remove and clean battery cables, pulling back the boots and getting all that crud too. Wire brush works good, as does a cup of water and baking soda mixed together.


2. Remove and clean external and optionally, internal connections on ignition switch. Instructions found here:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=736656

If its cranking and not starting it could be something else, but if its simply not cranking, its got to be something electrical.

LittleHoov: I'm glad you changed your post. You had me confused.

Yeah, I read the OP and realized I was stupid, happens pretty frequently, just got caught this time.

Thanks for all your information. Is there a possibility this is a Passlock Security malfunction issue. The manual says to check the fuses and circuit breaker panel but there is not one fuse listed for Passlock. Is there any way to disable the Passlock system?

Thanks for your efforts.

Do you notice your security light flashing when the car will not start? When my car had problems with the Passlock a couple of years ago I would have to let the car sit with the key in the "on" position for 10 minutes while the system reset itself. During this time the security light would flash. I remember reading about a procedure to disable the Passlock system while I was having these issues. It involved snipping one of the wires to the ignition switch while the engine was running. I never did this since the car was still under warranty; I just let the dealership fix it. I believe that I read it on automotiveforums.com (not necessarily the Intrigue section); you might search "Passlock" and see what you come up with. Good luck!

Part of the Passlock system is built into the ignition switch for whatever thats worth.