Can't keep my 1996 Grand Am running

[Dehner Motorsports]

I have a 1996 Grand Am i am having major problems with. Most of the time the car will start and run fine. Occasionally, while driving the Anti-Theft light pops on, and the car stalls. With the car stalled on the side of the road, it will not restart. When you turn the key the anti theft light comes back on and the engine cranks over, but will not restart. Sometimes it starts right back up. Other times you have to sit there and wait a few minutes before the car will restart. Looking for any advice, Thanks in advance for your help.

[Chameleon-kat]

Sounds like the ATS is doing exactly what it is supposed to do, shutting off the gas supply when activated, Just ain't sposed to be activated as long as you have the right key. Perhaps Autozone or similar could pull the codes fron puter, but I think maybe you will end up going to dealer to fix.

[Dehner Motorsports]

This car belongs to my cousin, whom doesn't have much money to spend. Is there a way of just deactiving the ATS?

[Chameleon-kat]

Attempting to deactivate may be more time consuming and exspensive then fixing it. I believe the autozone thing would be free, and might point to solution

[Dehner Motorsports]

I just checked with her to find out if she had the original key, and she does not. I never even knew the thing would run without it, but I guess it will. Thanks for the tips, and any clues on how much a new key from the dealer would be?

[Chameleon-kat]

WOW that could very well be it (but then again it shouldn't run at all with wrong key lol) . Last I knew, I 'think' this particular key was $15 or something like that, kust a guess though. Good luck

[Flatrater]

Your theft system works off a Hall effect switch mounted in your key cylinder housing! Usually the problem isn't the key, their is nothing special about the key. All you need to do is change the passlock sensor.

[wkwieland]

Originally Posted by Flatrater

Your theft system works off a Hall effect switch mounted in your key cylinder housing! Usually the problem isn't the key, their is nothing special about the key. All you need to do is change the passlock sensor.

Hello Flatrater,

I also have 1996 Grand Am (SE; 3.1L V6) that does not start at random times.

I noticed that the original message showed this gentleman's Grand Am would cut out while driving, which mine does not, but our intentions are the same.

My car does not want to start, it will crank, it just sounds like it's out of gas that's all. Once it does start (again at random times) the engine runs fine, so it's a complete mystery to me.

I've had it to different shops, and I've been told that a code appears (I think it's a 1401 or something close) but basically the mechanics have all told me that it is a factory code that MUST be removed at a Pontiac dealer ONLY.

The last time I had it at the dealer, they cleared the code, and it started fine for about a day, I guess until the computer re-inserted the code back into the mix. My key is the original key that was given to me when I bought the car used back in 1997 - but it does not have the small piece of metal that I think is called the "passkey" it is just a standard key.

Every now and then the "Theft System" light luminates on the instrument cluster, but again at random times. There is no set pattern to how this car fails on me.

What I'm looking to do is remove the theft system from the equation all together. The car is old, it's paid for, but I just need it for transportation. If I had to replace the computer it would probably be more money invested than the car is worth.

Let me know if you have any ideas. It seems a waste of time to tow the car to the dealer and have them clear the code and say "It's okay now" only for it to not start again when I get it home.

Please reply in an email directly at [email protected].

Thank you,
Bill Wieland
[email protected]

[martle]

Had a very similar problem on my '96 GA. Was the Hall effect sensor (located right under the distributor cap), had it replaced and has worked fine since.