2002 malibu doesn't start

[1952Don]

clean your key with WD-40 or an equivalent, put the straw of the spray can in the keyhole of the switch and spray the inside of the switch excessively. This worked for me and have had no repeats of the problem since. too much pocket lint???

[Tech II]

I don't know how lubing a blank key is going to help with the electronics of the system......

By adding oil/lubricant to the key/tumblers, you have now added something that will attract and hold onto foreign substances that are introduced to the lock cylinder via the the key....

Malibu's and Grand Am's were famous for having a hard time turning the key....the only fix was to replace the lock cylinder and tumblers....

[hotpipes]

Tech II
The lock cylinder has been replaced twice at a cost of about $456.00 each time the first one lasted about two and a half years. Shouldn't the part that receives the signal from the lock cylinder be replaced and what part would that be? Thank's for your input.
hotpipes

[Tech II]

What is usually replaced is the PassLock sensor, that is the part that the lock cylinder slides into.....they usually come together as a unit(together, they slide into the ignition switch)....the lock cylinder has to be recoded with the correct tumblers....

The power and ground to the sensor comes from the BCM......the output signal from the sensor goes back to the BCM.....the BCM sends a fuel enable signal to the PCM, when the proper signal is received from the PassLock sensor...

So the possibilities are: bad PassLock sensor(again), an open in the wiring between the sensor and BCM, a bad connection in the harness at the BCM.....have not seen problems with the PCM or the wiring to it, cause this.....but as a last resort it can't be ruled out....

The two usual problems are the sensor or the connection at the BCM.....

[1952Don]

WD-40 isn't a lubricant. It cleans the switch and then evaporates leaving a clean switch. Doesn't harm components inside switch. Compressed air computer cleaner might work as well. Worked for me!

[Tech II]

"You can use WD-40® to protect, remove gunk, and lubricate thousands upon thousands of items wherever you go!

What I was saying was, using WD-40 is not going to fix a no start condition caused by a bad PassLock sensor.....all it may do is help to turn the key easier....

[hotpipes]

I am not familiar The BCM and PCM abbreviations. Could you help me out with those? I would also like to know if there is a way to test the old lock assembly. Is there any resistance readings or continuity test that will tell me the condition of the old lock assembly.
hotpipes

[1952Don]

There aren't any "bad" passlock sensors, that just an excuse to sell you an overpriced keyswitch. It is just not able to read the key, before you buy a new switch clean the old one. Mechanics are in the business of selling you parts you don't need, what a surprise!

[hotpipes]

My key dose not have a chip in it so it is not able to read anything from the sensor.
hotpipes

[hotpipes]

Originally Posted by Tech II

What is usually replaced is the PassLock sensor, that is the part that the lock cylinder slides into.....they usually come together as a unit(together, they slide into the ignition switch)....the lock cylinder has to be recoded with the correct tumblers....

The power and ground to the sensor comes from the BCM......the output signal from the sensor goes back to the BCM.....the BCM sends a fuel enable signal to the PCM, when the proper signal is received from the PassLock sensor...

So the possibilities are: bad PassLock sensor(again), an open in the wiring between the sensor and BCM, a bad connection in the harness at the BCM.....have not seen problems with the PCM or the wiring to it, cause this.....but as a last resort it can't be ruled out....

The two usual problems are the sensor or the connection at the BCM.....

TechII
Wouldn't a scan show a bad BCM or PCM along with a bad passlock sensor or isn't a scanner capable of detecting those two items?

hotpipes

[Nonoth]

My 99 Malibu had theft light no start problem. Was told there were 2 small magnets inside ignition cylinder that have to suck on to key. Blow out keyhole with compressed air,then 2 small puffs of graphite. Wiggle key on and off, in and out and blow out with air. Don't know if its true but have not had problem for 7 months. Hope it works.

[ponchonutty]

All of this talk and no real solution???? Well here we go then. If you have a no-start condition AND the security light is flashing OR if you drive around and the security light is on solid, you have a Passlock failure. Typically replacing the ignition lock won't fix this. Ditto for the switch. What needs to be replaced is the Passlock decoder. Replacing that will only result in same failure down the road. ANOTHER NOTE: if your dash is sporadic, gauges move oddly, or don't move at all you may have a bad cluster. THIS CAN RESULT IN A NO START AS WELL AND BEHAVE LIKE A PASSLOCK FAILURE.

That being said here's how to fix this. Go to Radioshack and buy a few resistors (usually around 400-1900 ohm) Take out radio (don't unplug it unless you have code to unlock it. Just unhook the antenna and have it sit over on the right side of opening. Look inside the hole and find the ignition wires. Inside that bundle you will find 3 small wires (yellow, black, white). The yellow is the passlock wire and the black is the ground reference. Cut the yellow wire and you will connect one end of the resistor to the cut end AWAY from ignition switch. The other end of resistor will be connected to the black wire. For added security I like to then run a jumper wire from that black wire to chassis ground. Once you do this, start the passlock relearn sequence by trying to start the car. If it fails to start AND the passlock light is flashing, let it sit with the ignition on for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes the light should go solid and then out. Once it does this, turn off ignition and count to 3 then restart. If it fails to start, repeat again another 10 minutes. It could take up to an hour for this to take. If it doesn't take, change resistance value then try the relearn sequence.