Security light car won't start

[firefighter_no2]

My GRAND AM WOULDN'T START AFTER I PARKED IT AT THE MALL.. WELL I LET SET 15 MIN.. AND IT STARTED. SO IF YOUR SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES CAR WON'T START TRY THIS.. LEAVE KEY IN ON POSTION FOR 10 -15 MIN. AND TRY STARTING. IT WORKED FOR ME TODAY.GOOD LUCK.

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF !! And thanks for the tip.

This is the actual procedure;

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

[rhyno 1]

My 2001 does this and i leave key on in the run position as long as the security light flashes approx. 10 minutes and light will quit flashing and stay on. Turn key to off position and start the car. I have changed to my spare key wich i was told there is a chip in the key and now my problem has quit. Probably just jinxed myself. Hope this helps.

[racerstv]

You would not believe all the things we tried to fix the 2002 Grand Am that would not start. Replaced ignition switch, replaced neutral switch.......then found the forum and doing the security relearn procedure worked like a charm!!!

Thank you!

Steve

[Steer53]

Just read above tip. When security light went off (About 11 minutes), turned off, and then....IT STARTED!!!!!!

Thanks forum!

[Houdude]

The problem I have is that this "security light on - car won't start" problem happens too often and at random times. It'll happen about 3 times in a week then won't happen again for a couple months.

Does anybody else experience this? Is there something wrong with the computer? Fixable?

[xeroinfinity]

If you're not completing the whole sequence above 3 times, then you will have to do it again and again.
Though if you've done this 3 times and you continue to experiance it then you could have some other component in the system not working.

Usualy the problem is the ignittion switch or lock cylinder. Worse case its the BCM or PCM problems/errors.