2001 Alero won't start

[nmbluept]

Hi,

I just joined this forum and hope someone can help. My daughter's 2001 Alero won't start. The engine just turns over, it did cough once. I can hear the fuel pump when the key is in the "on" position. The security light is blinking and I have tried both keys. Haven't had a chance to check for spark, but after reading several posts on this forum I now wonder if this is the passcode problem. I did disconnect the battery and go have lunch hoping that would reset the computer, but still no luck.
BTW the car was just to the dealer to repair the driver side power window (again).
Any help is greatly appreciated,

NMBluePT

[tooltimetech]

When you turn the ignition on all the dash lights should come on including the security light, this is a bulb check, after a few seconds the majority of them will go out, including the security light if the security system is fine. If the light stays on then it likely needs a trip to the dealer. If the security system is fine then i would check spark and fuel pressure, most the time if a fuel pump runs it is fine but occasionally you will run on to one that will spin but not build pressure. Also make sure it has enough gas in it. I have seen many towed in with the gas gauge just hovering aroung empty and I put a gallon of gas in it and it fired right up. Good luck.

[nmbluept]

We had the car towed to the dealer and $340 later got a new ignition/pass code module and the car is almost like new. The extended warrenty didn't cover this, what a surprise My daughter did mention that the security indicator had blinked a couple of times and then went out, otherwise no significant warning.

I tried most of the suggestions listed in this forum with no luck - still wonder about the guy who got his working by disassembling and cleaning. When I took mine apart there doesn't seem to be any mechanical parts to cause the problem - appears to be an electronic failure. Wonder if the best fix is to bypass the the passcode read of the key resistance with the correct value of resistor.

[matmyers]

There's no resistor in this ignition. Most likely, when you disconnected the battery, you did exactly what you wanted... reset the computer. Now you have to program the computer to recognize the electromagnetic sensor in the ignition coil. Insert the key & turn it to the on position. Have a 10 minute break & come back. If the security light is off, you may have fixed it.

[jrh61046]

Originally Posted by nmbluept

Hi,

I just joined this forum and hope someone can help. My daughter's 2001 Alero won't start. The engine just turns over, it did cough once. I can hear the fuel pump when the key is in the "on" position. The security light is blinking and I have tried both keys. Haven't had a chance to check for spark, but after reading several posts on this forum I now wonder if this is the passcode problem. I did disconnect the battery and go have lunch hoping that would reset the computer, but still no luck.
BTW the car was just to the dealer to repair the driver side power window (again).
Any help is greatly appreciated,

NMBluePT

with the car in park and park brake set, turn all electrical items off (radio lights etc.) turn the ket on and let set for 10 -15 min -- turn off for 10 seconds or so, and it should start

[BNaylor]

jrh61046,

Welcome to AF.

Sorry but please check the date and do not resurrect old threads. Thread closed.

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