2001 Impala Ignition/Starting problems

[autoforum]

I had this problem for the first year on my 2000 and then it mysteriously went away!

[lawvol]

I stumbled across this forum while researching an issue that I have been having with my Security light coming on from time to time. I too have have occasions where my car would not start when I turn the ignition over, but it has always started on the second try. The Security light comes on sometimes and remains on until the car is turned off. I have not noticed any performance problems, and I do not have any aftermarket parts installed on the car (other than an aftermarket radio). My aftermarket radio is installed with a harness, so I should not have the voltage issues that I have read about.

My concern is that the Security light coming on is going to turn into a real problem sooner or later. I bought the vehicle used with approx 56,000 miles on it. It currently has 78,000k on it, and it looks as if things are going to start going wrong with it. I just recently replaced both front hubs (which I thought was premature), a tie rod end, and my battery had to be replaced also because it leaked badly. Is there anyway I can correct this problem with the security light without having to pay the service charge of a dealer diagnostic?

I have had to put so much money into this car recently that I am hesitant to pay for the diagnostic. Should I continue to ignore it and hope that it will not cause a breakdown? Thanks!

[bocktownusa]

Hello all, I have enjoyed the talk on this post and have a question.
I have a 2001 Impala, and I have also had problems recently with the car having problems starting. I took it to a mechanic, and he said that the alternator was fine, the battery was fine, and that they couldn't reproduce the problem that I was seeing.
So about two weeks later, I see the same thing, but this time the car actually died on me twice at a red light. I thought maybe it had something to do with the heat (Texas), but I don't think that is correct.
I had more problems with it not starting 2 days ago, so I was going to take it in yesterday, but it started fine all day yesterday.
Any ideas?

I haven't installed anything different in the car, so no aftermarket systems or anything.

thanks

[bizjet604]

I am on the downside of a lease on this car and will not put any more money into it. I ahve had 3 batteries installed since new...(00). Starting problems have been very, very intermittant.

[Katrinasettles]

Just recently i have had alot of car problems with my impala. I love my car. It is my first car for me and my husband and our first family car. Now it won't start, the security light comes on and it only starts every now and then. My daughter has a heart condition and when i needed the car the most to take her to a doctors appointment it didn't work. Then when my Father dropped me off after the appointment it worked and then when i went to get the meds i couldn't cause it wouldn't start again. My husband is deployed and i am doing my best to get by without any help. I don't have the money time or patients for this. Does anyone even know what is causing this to happen. I need help and it would be alot of help to get some kind of idea so they don't screw me over when i go in to have it checked

[bigrod118]

well I just bought a 02 impala ls with 30000 miles. its still under warrenty and I can get anything fixed for free, but my starting problem isnt really with nothing happening or the security light coming on, but sometimes, and only sometimes, it takes a lot longer to start then usual. mostly I can hold the ignition for a one one thoughsand and by then its running. and yet im noticing now, that I do that and its not running, so I hold it longer, and sometimes it starts sometimes not. as of today when starting it, I even heard a little bit of grinding noise, it sounded really nasty. the car is stock, nothing has been changed so it cant be electrical,. is there any commoon mechanical problems with the starting system, and since it does only sometimes happen, if I take it to the dealership, can they really do anything for me or will they look at it, say nothing happened when they looked at it and tell me to fuck off. I know they probably dont like me as it is since ive only had the car for like 10 days and ive taken it into service for a new radio that didnt plan cds, new fog light lens that was collecting water cuz it was craked and little shit that they owed me when I bought it. but it only has about 5000 miles left of manufactuers warrenty and I dont want them to try to tell me to come back when the problem is worse so they can better assess it and for that to be after the warrenty.

[bigrod118]

Originally Posted by GMMerlin

To be totally honest, the dealer I work for has been taking a hard look at Passlock problems and remote starters and aftermarket alarm installations..It seems that we are getting slammed with Passlock problems and 90% of those have some sort of aftermarket system installed....Pretty much, we aren't touching them until the system is put back into factory condition (especially with warranty concerns).
Here is the deal, since I do a lot of these vehicles..
The operating systems on these vehicles use low voltage circuits as data and reference. Any disruption in the flow of electrons will cause problems.
A good number of systems that are installed use wirenuts,scotch locks and cheap butt connectors to hook the system wiring into the voltage sensitive wiring to the factory componants (especially to the PCM and BCM).
When the integrity of the wire is compromised by non-approved methods, this creates a voltage drop across the connector. The module is looking for a pre determined voltage change from the data sensor..if the voltage change is different than desired, then the module disables the system..(the module thinks someone is stealing your car!)
The car manufactors have developed certain wire repair techniques to prevent unwanted voltage drops on critical circuits.
These are the only approved methods and all GM techs that are involved with wiring repairs should be trained on the procedures.

so just to make sure. are you talking about anything aftermarket will disrupt the elctrical output or just hooking up new electrical things to the passlock system. because for work I need to install headlight/taillight flashers and a few other auxilery lights. now those will be wired in to only the headlight and taillight wires and swithes. also im sure they dont come with the passlock system but they make fasher systems that plug right into the police paskage impalas, so I dont think it should really affect anything. but you say there is a approved way to install electrical things by gm, what would that be.

[bermis519]

can i have my passlock system deactivated so it doesn't work? I really do care if someone steal my car, actually they would be doing me a favor...but with my luck, i'm sure it would be found and i would get my headache back. (Doesn't have onstar). I hate my car, but i'm so far in the hole i have to keep if for another year.....then freedom...whoohooo!!!!!!

Mike

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by bermis519

can i have my passlock system deactivated so it doesn't work? I really do care if someone steal my car, actually they would be doing me a favor...but with my luck, i'm sure it would be found and i would get my headache back. (Doesn't have onstar). I hate my car, but i'm so far in the hole i have to keep if for another year.....then freedom...whoohooo!!!!!!

Mike

Nope. I own a shop that specializes in remote starters so you know what kind of problems this has given me. Sad thing is that almost all GM platforms have problems with the passlock system. GM's fix is to completely replace the entire system but that's only a temporary fix because it will happen again.

[John_N]

I have a 2001 Impala with 25,000 miles that has been trouble free, except for the intermediate half shaft lubrication issue. Recently, February 2005, I started having the “no start” problems (i.e. nothing happening when the key is turned). The problem started after replacing the original battery which the positive terminal melted off. I was told by GM that happens sometimes. Since the battery was replaced the no start issue occurred four times about two weeks apart. I replaced the starter because it was making noises, but that did not correct the problem. The car has no aftermarket alarm and it has the original stock radio. The car is used daily and is started many times throughout the day. It seems to finally start after about 5 to 15 minutes with no problem. I have noticed the radio (red light) flashing now more when the problem is occurring. Has anyone determined the exact fix for the problem? The theft deterrent system was mentioned in this forum as a possible problem. Is there a way to reset the anti-theft system without waiting 5 to 15 minutes?

[anolizor]

There has got to be a way to bypass this passlock thing.

I have a base 2001 Impala. Replaced the BCM already and the no start crud is still occurring. No remote starter or anything aftermaket.

I just did the "leave the key turned on the on position for 20 minutes" thing and it still won't start. Security light is flashing and everything works but the starter won't even click.
Anyone have any ideas besides another trip to the dealer?

[John_N]

Back in April my no start problem was fixed and has not occurred since then. Steps to correct problem.
1) GM Dealer diagnosed two error codes (power code mismatch and defective ignition switch.
2) to save money dealer cleared codes and I waited for the next occurrence of the no-start in order not to replace several parts.
3) no-start issue occurred when picking car up at dealership and was diagnosed as defective ignition switch.
4) ignition switch was replace about April 7, 2005 and there has been no further no-start issues. I have had three months without a problem. Prior to this the no-start issue would occur about every three weeks.

Hope this helps!

[anolizor]

Hey thanks.

How much for the ignition and install, etc.?

[John_N]

Originally Posted by anolizor

Hey thanks.

How much for the ignition and install, etc.?

Someone did it as favor. But I believe it should cost around $300.00-$400.00. Not sure of exact price but the work did seem to solve the problem.

[anolizor]

Edit: For whatever reason, the car just started. Given the day, I'll just call it a miracle.



It currently won't start. I turned the key on and let it go for 10 minutes because I read that should "clear" it. The security light still flashes when the key is on however and it still won't start.

Anyone know how to get it going?