Security problems with 99 Grand AM

[nerdiekid]

I have a 99 Grand AM SE, and off late I have some problems starting my car from time to time. At times, when I try to start my car, the car won't start and the security light starts blinking. And then I won't be able to start the car for another 15-30 minutes. The Security light also comes on sometimes when I am driving, but it doesn't seem to affect anything then.

I took the car to the dealer, and he said that the problem might be with the key - looks like this would happen if the key is worn out. And I got a new key made, but I am still having this problem.

I am having this trouble quite frequently off late. Please help.

[96grandma]

ya i have the dame deal with that security light. it just randomly comes on while i'm driving but it doesnt do anything. i also have a starting problem but it is unrelated to the security issue. if anybody knows why that security light comes on while driving lets us know b/c its annoying to have a big bright red light on all the time

[GMMerlin]

When the Security light comes on, a code is stored to aid with diagnosis.
Most likely cause of your Security light and no start or start/stall condition is the passlock sensor which is located in the ignition lock cylinder and housing assembly.

[Pieceofpooppontiac]

I have a 99 grand am gt and i have the same exact problem with mine. I took it to a dealership i used to work at and they said it was the passlock sensor. So now the whole ignition switch thingy needs to be changed.

[Flatrater]

I have had good sucess with changing the passlock sensor on these cars to fix your problem. Once in a great while a BCM would also fix it.

[aweeks]

I have the same problem too.

I have a remote starter in my car as well. My dealer told me it probably has something to do with the remote starter switch making contact with another wire in the ingnition system. But they won't fix it - says I'll have to take it to the place I got the remote starter installed. The '99 Grand Am manual says that if the security light comes on, to take it to the dealer.

So, does anyone else have a remote starter? If not, then that doesn't sound like the likely solution, and I have to believe that all these dealers don't really understand this problem.

[GMMerlin]

Personally I have seen more incorrectly installed aftermarket accessories cause problems with GM subsystems than I care to remember.
Your aftermarket remote start may or may not be causing your problem.
First thing is to check the system operation, codes and bulletins to determine the cause of the problem.

What people fail to understand is that GM systems run on voltages of less than 5 volts and comunication between computers is critical for your car to operate as designed. The addition of scotch locks,butt connectors and broken wires from probing test lights interupts the proper flow of communications between the computers and cause an array of weird problems.

[Flatrater]

Remote starters can be a good thing but like most aftermarket installed stuff the people doing the job screw it up.

I can't even count how many remote starter and alarm systems I removed from cars because they wouldn't start or run. It takes me 15 minutes to remove that junk from the car and 99% of the time it was the aftermarket installed junk. I get the car owners coming in with the lame excuse that they had this system for a year now with no problems yet they blame the car they owned for 2 years as being the problem.

To get a remote starter to work on your car they have to bypass the passlock sensor by cutting into the wires. This sensor uses 5 volts like GMMERLIN stated. 5 Volts isn't a lot and it takes very little to mess it up. A slightly loose wire a voltage spike in your remote system. Remove the junk and you will have no more problems or take it to me to charge you 2 hours to remove the system.

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by Flatrater

Remote starters can be a good thing but like most aftermarket installed stuff the people doing the job screw it up.

I can't even count how many remote starter and alarm systems I removed from cars because they wouldn't start or run. It takes me 15 minutes to remove that junk from the car and 99% of the time it was the aftermarket installed junk. I get the car owners coming in with the lame excuse that they had this system for a year now with no problems yet they blame the car they owned for 2 years as being the problem.

To get a remote starter to work on your car they have to bypass the passlock sensor by cutting into the wires. This sensor uses 5 volts like GMMERLIN stated. 5 Volts isn't a lot and it takes very little to mess it up. A slightly loose wire a voltage spike in your remote system. Remove the junk and you will have no more problems or take it to me to charge you 2 hours to remove the system.

Yeah well me being MECP certified and working inside many car dealerships, I can argue both sides of the story very easily. Yes, shotty installs create a lot of problems. So do crappy OEM interface parts. I use DEI equipment (of which supplys GM with OEM keyless entrys, remote starters, and add-on alarms) which I never had any problems with in my 10 years of doing it. I get sick and tired of GM techs or any tech that can't figure out what or how to fix a car so they look for any aftermarket item.

Case in point. A friend of mine bought a brand new '01 Grand Am with all the goodies. Within having the car a week, I installed a DEI AutoValet 552t remote starter with a 555l GM PassKey bypass system. About a year later she called and said the car would not start, just stalls. I told her NOT to take it to the dealer she bought it from but to take it to a local GM dealer. I did this because I work with the local dealer. Well, she ended having the car towed to the dealer she bought it from. They called and told her that it was the remote start and that the total bill would be $495 including the tow.

Well, I called them and asked if they had taken care of the recall on the ignition switch. They didn't even know what I was talking about. I told them to check that TSB# before they try to milk her for $500 or they'd have to figure how this fell into the Moss vs. Magnuson act http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/...s/warranty.htm

Then suddenly, everything was taken care of under warranty including the replacement of the ignition. I never even had to look at my install or repair anything.

BTW Yes, there is a major fault with the PassKey systems. I am not sure how far back this TSB went but I think it went back to the '98 year which is when they started this particular security system. Unfortunately, I can not find what the TSB# is at this time.

[GMMerlin]

Well, I called them and asked if they had taken care of the recall on the ignition switch. They didn't even know what I was talking about. I told them to check that TSB# before they try to milk her for $500 or they'd have to figure how this fell into the Moss vs. Magnuson act http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs...bs/warranty.htm



My response
First, Campaigns and TSB (technical service bulletins) are 2 completely different animals
There are 5 campaigns listed on the GM website concerning 01 Grand Ams...none involve ignition switches. 3 are customer satisfaction campaigns dealing with erratic fuel gages,valve springs and a trans bearing failure and the others are FMVSS non compliance involving information on child restraints and a trans shifter issue.
Secondly, when a tech calls GM tech assistance for diagnostic help on a particular problem, the first question from the TAC consultant is if any aftermarket componants have been installed. There are also TSB's concerning aftermarket installations.

As started above, some installers do shoddy work and their installed aftermarket goodies have caused many problems.
We have a company we deal with inside the dealership that installs aftermarket systems. with the exception of 1 incorrectly wired DVD player pulling a drain on the battery and 1 no-start condition caused by a faulty installed remote start,I have not seen any problems with their work.
But, you will have to admit there are people out there on your side of the busness that are doing half-ass work and when the customer brings their car to the dealer its the cars fault or we don't know what we are talking about.
The point is that the systems and sub-systems of todays automobile run on very low voltages and anything that interupts the normal flow of communication between modules creates some very odd and difficult to diagnos problems.

[Flatrater]

In the last 5 years I have removed at least 50 remote start/ alarm systems out of cars. To remove the syatem all I have to do is tug on the wire and it comes right off. Funny how good a wire wrapped around another wire pulls loose soo easy. ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS ON A CAR IS FAULTY CONNECTIONS!! Go figure!

Another problem I see with the instsallations is the use of Scotch loks on outside wiring!! THEY ARE GOOD AT HOLDING WATER!!! I wonder why the corrode all the time causing you bad connections.

I have only seen one car that was wired up right. The owner had a splice block installed between the steering column harness and all wires were tapped of off it.

And if you want to talk about certified!!
I am ASE certified master tech with the L1, GM certified and certified by the FAA.

I never said there was no good installers but thier is always a few that take pride in their jobs and do it right.

When you find the TSB# send me a PM so I can see it.

And the last thing did you see the bill from the repair on the 01 Grand Am. Ifd you didn't then you don't know what was done or if the dealer decided to do a customer satification repair.

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by Flatrater

In the last 5 years I have removed at least 50 remote start/ alarm systems out of cars. To remove the syatem all I have to do is tug on the wire and it comes right off. Funny how good a wire wrapped around another wire pulls loose soo easy. ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS ON A CAR IS FAULTY CONNECTIONS!! Go figure!

Another problem I see with the instsallations is the use of Scotch loks on outside wiring!! THEY ARE GOOD AT HOLDING WATER!!! I wonder why the corrode all the time causing you bad connections.

I have only seen one car that was wired up right. The owner had a splice block installed between the steering column harness and all wires were tapped of off it.

And if you want to talk about certified!!
I am ASE certified master tech with the L1, GM certified and certified by the FAA.

I never said there was no good installers but thier is always a few that take pride in their jobs and do it right.

When you find the TSB# send me a PM so I can see it.

And the last thing did you see the bill from the repair on the 01 Grand Am. Ifd you didn't then you don't know what was done or if the dealer decided to do a customer satification repair.

Yeah, like I said before I know there are bad installers out there. Nothing I hate more that is to see a tape monster. Around here, seems like they come from those large retail joints like Circuit City. I never use Scotch Locs. Never liked them. I usually use 3m T-taps which cost me about 2-3x what Scotchlocs run. They give a real nice connection and do not seem to create any problems. I have friends and family that have had remote starters and other stuff that I have installed in their vehicles for quite some time and many miles with no problems. Of course, like you guys, I take pride in my work. I treat every car like it was mine. When I am done, there is nothing out of the ordinary looking. Everything is put together in nice harnesses and wire tied up.

I just called my friend that had her car fixed to see if she still had the paperwork. If I remember right, it had to do with some sort of problem with the ignition and potential fire hazard. Well, to fix this, they had to put in a new ignition module I believe which reset the Passkey system and therefore ruled me out.

[Flatrater]

ponchonutty

You have to understand that we are trained to rule out aftermarket installed systems first! Matter of fact our engineers will not offer any real help till we disconnect the remote start or what ever was installed.

I am tired of the whining complaining customer telling us its the cars fault always and never the remote starters fault. It can be one or both causing the problem but all of our troubleshooting deals with GM systems and not the aftermarket systems, to rule it out we need to have it disconnected.

Once the system is disconnected then I can do my diagnosis from there. Fix the car if it is something from GM or pass it on to the installing company. The remote starter shouldn't be the only thing blamed but it needs to be ruled out. I do work on many cars with remote starters and have no problem with them.

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by Flatrater

ponchonutty

You have to understand that we are trained to rule out aftermarket installed systems first! Matter of fact our engineers will not offer any real help till we disconnect the remote start or what ever was installed.

I am tired of the whining complaining customer telling us its the cars fault always and never the remote starters fault. It can be one or both causing the problem but all of our troubleshooting deals with GM systems and not the aftermarket systems, to rule it out we need to have it disconnected.

Once the system is disconnected then I can do my diagnosis from there. Fix the car if it is something from GM or pass it on to the installing company. The remote starter shouldn't be the only thing blamed but it needs to be ruled out. I do work on many cars with remote starters and have no problem with them.

I understand what you are saying completely. I do the same thing when I trouble shoot anything too. I just hate it when a tech automatically says that "it's the aftermarket..." before really looking into the problem. I just feel what you said before about removing at least 50 remote starters and such because of them creating problems and such. Even the real cheap units people bring to be to install I do not feel cause any problems. Maybe if one of the relays fail to work and then it trys to start??? But then, usually it's just a fault code that comes up.

Anyway, I ALWAYS tell my customers to call me if ANYTHING seems wrong with the car. I do not care if they think it takes longer to warm up or a light burns out, I want to know. Then, if I think it is needed, I will unplug the unit before they take it into service.

Guys, I still have not heard from my friend about that repair she had on hre G-am. It might be a little while now because she usually takes a bit and plus she just went through some surgery. I'll try and give her a visit and look in her car for the report.

[Katzchen]

I have read alot of you guys wrote. I do not understand alot of it LOL!

My security light comes on while driving and sometimes when I first start it.

I brought it in and they told me it has to do with my keyless entry. I have never used it cause it has never worked in the 5 years I had the car. Is this possible? They checked my starter and said that was fine. I guess its not even the original starter.

I do see that you guys are saying it can be from after market stuff. I have light up foot pedals that are connected to my fog lights. I have had those for about four years. And with in the last year it stopped working. Could that be a problem?