2000 Grand Am passlock problem????

[hundredand1aces]

2000 Grand Am SE 2 door, 2.4L

Ok here we go.... first off the security light was on STEADY with the key on, tried the ten minute thing to no avail. Then did the 30 min thing (10x3) to no avail. So after much reading and talking to different people i decided to buy a scanning tool, and a new lock cylinder. Installed the cylinder, went through the relearn steps and bamo the car still wont start. BUT the security light does not stay on now. I am at a loss, also the scanner has NEVER showed any codes, not a one. I have checked to see if I have pressure at the fuel rail and it is good. I hate to just buy and throw parts at my problem, but the dealer is a hugh cost........I am at my witts end with this, I was thinking that maybe the scan tool I bought is a POS, but I cant move my car to get it to a better scanner. Any thoughts??? (I have try starting the car without the hall effect sensor hooked up so it would give me the code so I could clear it, but my scan tool never showed the code......)

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF.

Not all scan tools are created equal, that being said some are junk and some are not.

Most of any DTC's you would get from a passlock error not many scan tools will read them, just the GM tech II.

Another thing you might have done the relearn wrong..... should be 11 minutes.
Also if you disconnected the crank sensor, and it thinks its been replaced, then you might have other issues as sometimes when it's replaced, you have to do a relearn also, yeah cars suck!

Try this !!

Security relearn procedure:

1) Attempt to start the car by turning the key to the Start/Run Position.
2) Observe that the vehicle fails to start and that the security light is illuminated.
3) Release key to the 'ON/Accessory' Position. (DO NOT turn key to the 'off' position.)
4) Allow the vehicle to sit with the key in the 'ON/Accessory' Position for no less than 11 minutes.
5) Turn key to off position and allow the vehicle to remain in the 'OFF' position for no less than 30 seconds.
6) Repeat #1 - #5 for 3 cycles.
7) On 4th attempt, car should start.

NOTE : Since this is a fairly long procedure, I would limit all electrical sources, such as disconnecting headlights, to prevent discharge of battery.

NOTE 2 : It is SAFE to wait LONGER than the allotted time, but it is not safe to wait less time. I.e. 12 minutes instead of 11 minutes should be safe; however, waiting 10 minutes instead of 11 minutes is not safe.

Properly executed, this procedure should take approximately 35 minutes to complete

Good Luck and let me know if it works .

[hundredand1aces]

First off thank you for the fast reply!!!!

I have tried what you express, I have turned it to on left it for more than 11 mins probaly closer to twenty each time and then tried to start it to no avail. If the code is not cleared after I replaced the lock cylinder, could this be the problem???

[hundredand1aces]

OK maybe this will help some of yall out there. I changed the lock cylinder as I stated b4 and the security light was out. And I did all the relearn stuff to no avail and the security light was out, but from what I had read on several tech tips sites this is it:

PASSLOCK

The Passlock system is designed
to prevent vehicle operation if the key
is not used to start the vehicle. The
key, which does not contain a
resistor will turn the Passlock lock
cylinder. The Passlock lock cylinder
will relay a resistance code to the
instrument panel cluster (IPC). It
does this by rotating a magnet past a
stationary hall effect sensor, creating
a resistance code. At this point the
IPC will determine if the resistance
code is correct and within an
acceptable time frame. If the code is
correct, the IPC will send a coded
password to the powertrain control
module (PCM). If the PCM receives
the correct password, it will allow the
fuel injectors to operate normally and
the vehicle will start and run
normally.
If the correct resistance code
from the lock cylinder is not received
within the acceptable time frame, the
vehicle will go into a

short tamper
mode during which the theft
deterrent system will not allow the
vehicle to operate for approximately
4 seconds. When this occurs, the

security

indicator will flash. After
three consecutive failed tries, the
system will enter into a long tamper
mode. In this mode, the fuel injectors
will be disabled for approximately 10
minutes, and the security indicator
will be flashing. Please note that in
any of the tamper modes, the vehicle
may start, but it will quickly stall.
The Passlock system is designed
to prevent vehicle theft even if any of
the theft deterrent parts are replaced.
Passlock eliminates the need for the
key mounted resistor.
Parts that can no longer be
replaced without the possibility of the
system going into a tamper mode and
prevent starting are: the lock
cylinder, the instrument panel cluster
(IPC), and the powertrain control
module (PCM).
In order to initiate the relearn:
1. Hook up your scan tool to
erase any of the passlock/vehicle
theft deterrent trouble codes. If there
are any other codes, note them
before you erase them, so you may
address them after the relearn has
been completed.
2. With the ignition key in the
“On” position from the code-clearing
step, attempt to start the vehicle. At
this point, if the vehicle starts, and
the security light has not illuminated,
a relearn is not necessary, and you’re
done. If the vehicle starts and stalls,

leave the key in the “Run” position
and wait for the “Security” light to
turn off. This will take approximately
10 minutes. At any time during this
relearn, the light may flash or be on
steady. If the ignition switch is
turned off at any time during this
relearn cycle that the security light is
illuminated, the entire cycle must be
restarted from the beginning.

For most cars, one cycle will be

sufficient for the relearn. If the
vehicle will not start after the first
cycle, then continue the process
from step #3 to the end.
Most trucks will require that you
continue from step #3 to the end.

3. When the light turns off, turn
the ignition switch to the “Off”
position for approximately ten
seconds.
4. Next, repeat steps 2 and 3 two
more times for a total of three cycles.
After the third time, the new code will
be relearned on the next start attempt
when the ignition switch is rotated
from the “Off” position.
5. From the “Off” position, start
the vehicle, observing the security
light. If the vehicle starts and runs
normally, and the security light is off,
the relearn is complete. If the vehicle
does not start, check for trouble
codes before proceeding further.

After all this still no start. Somehow the passlock MAJOR malfunctions caused a B code failure, if I remember correctly it was B1363, which the tech that came to the house said was a ignition circuit failure.

Total money invested: $148 for the lock cylinder and 95 for the house call, it took the tech less than 10 minutes with his fancy umteen thousand dollar scanner to get it running.......He did state that there were no P codes just the one B code, FWIW.

Good luck to the rest of yall with this problem!!!!!!

[xeroinfinity]

Thankx for all that hundredand1aces.
The B1363 is Ignition Start Circuit Failure, which would lead me to believe the ignition switch is bad not the lock cylinder.
Another typical GM DTC for a passlock problems.

[luckyxstar11]

I have a similar question/problem with my 2001 Grand Am. It has locked me out multiple times in the past (by lock out, I mean put the security light on and not let me in for 10 minutes in freezing weather) and now the light just comes on randomly but still lets me start my car and drive normally....any suggestions?

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by luckyxstar11

I have a similar question/problem with my 2001 Grand Am. It has locked me out multiple times in the past (by lock out, I mean put the security light on and not let me in for 10 minutes in freezing weather) and now the light just comes on randomly but still lets me start my car and drive normally....any suggestions?

By "Locking you out" you mean the doors are locked and you cant open/unlock them ?
If thats the case then I doubt its a passlock issue.
Maybe your keyfob battery is dead..

If your security light is on it could be several different things and with out scanning it with the proper tool you wont know why.

But I will say, if you have many things hanging from your key chain, remove anything unnecessary.
Thier is a trouble shooting bulliton(TSB) from GM pertaining to this issue and security light being illuminated.

Hope that helps.