2001 Pontiac Grand AM SE Problems - Please Help!

Hi everyone,

I bought a used 2001 Pontiac Gran AM SE back in late June 2009. During the first few months everything was fine except for an insignificant oil leak (one drop per day) that I found on my drive way. So I ignored it, since engine oil level was always at full anyway - I assumed it was engine oil leakage.

Then, around October, the car started giving me a hard time when I tried to start it. Around mid-october, it completely refused to start, so I checked out some forums online and found out that it might be a security problem with the ignition coil.

A temporary solution that I've been following to start the car ever since is to leave the key in the ignition for 3-7 mins, then I would hear a sound (fuel pump starting), then the "Service Vehicle Soon" sign would come up at the tachometer panel, after the "Service Vehicle Soon" sign would appear, the car would start fine.

Ever since that, the "Service Vehicle Soon" sign would appear 6/10 times when I put the key in the ignition the first time, if not, then it would probably come after I re-try inserting the key the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th...etc times.

Had only few rare cases in which the "Service Vehicle Soon" sign wouldn't come at all on the tachometer dashboard by inserting the key. When this happens, I follow the 3-7 mins procedure of leaving the key in the ignition in the ON position, until the "Vehicle Service Soon" sign would up.

One thing for sure, unless I get the "Vehicle Service Soon" sign at the ON key position, the car WILL NOT start. So it all comes to that..

Anyway, I've been managing this problem, although it is an annoyance, but I came up with a new problem from a week ago.

New problem: I would start the engine, put gear in reverse, and engine would die completely and suddenly. Tried it again, with same results. Happens 5/10 times that I tested it today.

Putting gear into Drive directly after starting the engine doesn't stall the car, it's only with the REVERSE gear.

Sorry about the rather long post, but I felt that I had to give out a history of the problems that I've been experiencing with this car.

I ask of anyone who knows of what is the problem with the engine stalling or the "service vehicle soon" dilemma to please help, I appreciate it.

Thank you

Just remembered an additional note: when I put gear into reverse, I hear the auto-lock thing in the car regardless if the door are locked/opened

First off,make sure your battery and it's cables are clean and tight.The electrical systems on the GA can do strange things if not getting the correct amount of power.Then get a code reader on that car so we know what that SVS is telling you and report back.Then perhaps somebody can help.

@Indy86: Thanks for the reply. The engine stall when gear put in reverse been taken care of, I hope, it was a PCV valve that needed some lubrication - I think it was getting stuck. Anyway, haven't had the problem for 3 days now.

Checked the cables, batteries, spark plugs, etc too, even got an OBD II to do a code reading, but nothing showed up - tried 4-5 different reader softwares too, all clean.

The problem with starting the engine still persists, the car will only start if the "Service Vehicle Soon" sign stays up on the tachometer. When it doesn't show up, the AIR BAG light comes on instead, and the engine refuses to start. When the "Service Vehicle Soon" sign is on, the AIR BAG sign blinks for like 5 seconds and goes away. That is when the engine starts.

just a suggestion... give your car's computer a good re-boot by removing the positive battery cable and shorting it (the cable) to ground (chassis or engine block) for ~20 minutes. Then re-connect and see if it helped.

A couple of things:
A SVS light usually means a non-emissions related problem as been found.Many times it can mean something as simple as a headlight is burned out,so give things like that a quick check.Hopefully that will get rid of the SVS light.As far as the starting problem ,is your security light on or flashing when you try to start it up?Your starting problem is sounding like a Passlock failure.Try reading this to get some idea of what your dealing with.
http://www.bergerweb.net/grandamsecurityfix.htm

You my need to have the lock cyclinder replaced or try the bypass procedure.One last easy fix is to put graphite on your key and insert it into the lock cyclinder. It's worth a try. Good luck.

The engine stalling problems started again today. This is what happening: the engine would stall when I shift gears in this sequence: P -> D -> R (50% chance)

P-> R (10% chance)

P->D (doesn't stall, not yet)

So after re-starting the car, I put it in reverse, and drove to the mall, but while I was going at 10 km/h inside the mall, gear in drive, the engine stalled (I think I heard the locking sound of the door locks)....anyone knows what is going on here? Any suggestion?

@Indy86:

The security light stays ON all the time, here are the three cases that I've been getting:

case 1: Security Light ON -> Airbag Light ON -> Car doesn't start (0% starting chance)

case 2: Security Light ON -> Service Vehicle Light On -> Car will start (90% starting chance)

case 3: Security Light goes OFF -> Service Vehicle Light ON -> car will start (100% starting chance)


So yes, the security light does stay on. I went to GM dealer and got a new key for the car, tried it, and same problem. That means if anything, the lock cylinder is messed up..will update u if anything new happens