Stumped on 96 Grand Am electrical problem

[bigmac87us]

I have a 96 Grand Am and when the wife was driving it all the system lights came on in the dash. I have tried about everything I have read on how to reset the THEFT lock and still nothing works. It does start up and then dies immediately after. I have changed ignition lock, ignition switch, control module, hacked into the yellow theft wire, and still no results. Would greatly appreciate any ideas that come to mind.

[gravis2000]

Well your CPU may have a short and is sending all these bad signals to the dash.

[catback23]

Originally Posted by gravis2000

Well your CPU may have a short and is sending all these bad signals to the dash.

Or the computer may believe the engine isn't running (assuming you getting the same display you get when you turn the key "on" but haven't started the engine). Not a solution but an additional thought, electrical problems are really fun.

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by bigmac87us

I have a 96 Grand Am and when the wife was driving it all the system lights came on in the dash. I have tried about everything I have read on how to reset the THEFT lock and still nothing works. It does start up and then dies immediately after. I have changed ignition lock, ignition switch, control module, hacked into the yellow theft wire, and still no results. Would greatly appreciate any ideas that come to mind.

Welcome to AF bigmac87us !
On these years of GAs the dash its self are prone to quit working and doing the same thing you hav stated above.

You can get them cheap used to see if that whats causing the first problem with the dash lights all on.


As far as not starting and running you could hav messed something up cutting the yello wire
Especially if the power was ON when the wire was cut.

So did the car run with all the dash lights on, before you replaced that ignition switch?
I was thinking you might have to do the relearn procedure for car to run after the switch was replaced.

[catback23]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Welcome to AF bigmac87us !
On these years of GAs the dash its self are prone to quit working and doing the same thing you hav stated above.

You can get them cheap used to see if that whats causing the first problem with the dash lights all on.


As far as not starting and running you could hav messed something up cutting the yello wire
Especially if the power was ON when the wire was cut.

So did the car run with all the dash lights on, before you replaced that ignition switch?
I was thinking you might have to do the relearn procedure for car to run after the switch was replaced.

Yea you have to do the relearn if you change the ignition switch or else the security system will think the car is being hot wired. As for the relearn, I don't know if the dealer has to do it with a scantool or if there is a non-scantool way to do it.

[xeroinfinity]

Anyone can do this.

To do the relearn,
Turn the ignition switch to START, then release it to
the ON position (the engine doesnt start).
The “Security” light should be ON.
After 10 minutes, it should turn OFF.

Turn the ignition switch OFF and after five seconds,
repeat steps 1 and 2.
Doing this the third time turn the ignition switch OFF.

It should start after this, if not it may need the dealer to do the key relearn.
But try this again before you go there.

Good Luck!

[bigmac87us]

The car use to start and run with the lights on until i changed the dash and the ignition lock. Now all it does is start and die. I tried the thought of turning it on for 10 minutes then to the off position and doing this the 3 times to no avail. I have another 96 GA that I have been using for a parts car. Still stumped, but thanks for all the replies. If there is anything else you can think of go ahead and post it and I will try it. I think the next step is to try to take it to a dealer and have it relearned. Hopefully that will work.

[xeroinfinity]

If you still hav the old dash put that back in and do the relearn. Make sure you attempt to start it each time(all 3).
Should get the flashing security light on or flashing.

Most likly its because you replaced two things that need a relearn procedure for them to operate proper.

Unless thier something else wrong it shoudl work.