96 acheiva no idiot lights at all starts and stalls

I have a 96 acheiva i put the key in and turn to on, NO dash lights ( THE RED ONES )not even the security light the car starts and runs fine when the lights come on but they don't seem to come on any more it was an intermitent problem at first but now I hear the fuel pump cycle and the key in bell works the dome light goes out as per usual just no dash lights come on
I have read all the posts and noone has ever posted a fix just the problem PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP what do I need to change or fix or replace without taking it to the money sucking B*****rds at the repair shop who haven't a clue either

Well a good attitude adjustment would be in order first.
A lot of people who try to help peope here are the repair shop or work at them.
But to try and help you you are losing power some place.
Start with fuses and checking for 12 power to everything. How is your battery and cables?
:nono: :grinno:
MT :lol2:

Well a good attitude adjustment would be in order first.
A lot of people who try to help peope here are the repair shop or work at them.
But to try and help you you are losing power some place.
Start with fuses and checking for 12 power to everything. How is your battery and cables?
:nono: :grinno:
MT :lol2:

MT,
Obviously the people who try to help here were NOT the folks who I was refering to... so consider the attitude adjusted as for the 12 v checked rechecked every fuse minus the unseen fusible links if any removed tested and cleaned and replaced. every relay removed tested and replaced including power in and out the only non funtioning item in the car is the hazard light switch subject of a recall on this car but the car won't start to get it to the dealer for the recall or anywhere else for that matter. Battery and cables are fine and clean the engine will turn and start but quickly dies. could the problem lie with the instument panel itself? it is hard for me to fathom every sensor going bad at once. or perhaps there maybe a faulty ground from the engine to the firewall I have yet to find?

Well a good attitude adjustment would be in order first.
A lot of people who try to help peope here are the repair shop or work at them.
But to try and help you you are losing power some place.
Start with fuses and checking for 12 power to everything. How is your battery and cables?
:nono: :grinno:
MT :lol2:

MT,
Obviously the people who try to help here were NOT the folks who I was refering to... so consider the attitude adjusted as for the 12 v checked rechecked every fuse minus the unseen fusible links if any removed tested and cleaned and replaced. every relay removed tested and replaced including power in and out the only non funtioning item in the car is the hazard light switch subject of a recall on this car but the car won't start to get it to the dealer for the recall or anywhere else for that matter. Battery and cables are fine and clean the engine will turn and start but quickly dies. could the problem lie with the instument panel itself? it is hard for me to fathom every sensor going bad at once. or perhaps there maybe a faulty ground from the engine to the firewall I have yet to find?

So the starter turns the car over fine, fuel pump is coming on before start-up, car runs, but only for a short time then dies on its own? If this is the case is it like 30 sec? or like 5-10 minutes? trying to clarify your description.

If it starts and then dies in about 30 seconds points to anti theft system.
Check for spark to plugs and fuel pressure and injector pulse.
If you have spark and fuel pressure and no injector pulse.
Check anti theft and add on remote start systems and pcm problem and also wiring.
A good scanner read out and code check might help point out the problem.
Or the online all data DIY info sub has a lot of good repair info and help, Also it has thwe wiring and power circuits. Link below to it.
MT
http://www.alldata.com/products/diy/index.html

So the starter turns the car over fine, fuel pump is coming on before start-up, car runs, but only for a short time then dies on its own? If this is the case is it like 30 sec? or like 5-10 minutes? trying to clarify your description.


It starts and dies immediately if anyone has the electrical schematics for the 96 4 door model with ac and the 3.x liter v6 that they can send me I would appreciate them or if you know how to bypass the passlock or how to locate the passlock box please let me know

It starts and dies immediately if anyone has the electrical schematics for the 96 4 door model with ac and the 3.x liter v6 that they can send me I would appreciate them or if you know how to bypass the passlock or how to locate the passlock box please let me know
I also have the same problem that you are having. We put in a new starter and the lights always comes on but whenever the security light is flashing or flickering the car starts for about 30 secs and then shuts off. Have you found the answer yet? if so could you are anyone help me. :frown:

Penny123
Welcome to AF and you first post.
Your problem sounds like a anti theft problem.
But it would be better to start a new pos/thread on it.
Give your year make and model and all information you can in a new post and some one will help you.
Good luck
MT

I spent most of the day monday removing checking and cleaning contacts and fuses I removed the computer checked all the wires and replaced it however to no avail I am still unable to find the passlock box they must have hidden it well all the switch components check out fine IE: the ignition switch and all related parts I also found out why the flashers aren't working someone replaced the flasher unit with a different one I will have to replace it with the original when I find one.

does anyone know the exact location of the passlock control?
the istructions I have been able to find do not show what it looks like or its location perhaps it is incorperated with another unit?

the car is still not starting still no dash lights ( the red ones) the car starts and runs fine when the lights come on which they did 3 times while working on the car, however while retracing my steps I was unable to repeat the lights appearing. my next step is to remove the instrument panel and check it.

thanks to MT- 2500 for the help
and Happy Holidays to all

UPDATE after weeks of checking wires for continuity and fuses and contact after checking the ignition switch to make sure it was working properly ( I removed it and disassembled it cleaning all contacts and then tested it for proper function then replaced it) I narrowed my problem to the instrument cluster it was faulty so I replaced it and as it turns out the passlock is an intregral part of the instrument cluster that is why I could not find it I used this schematic it may help you if you have the same problem
http://members.aol.com/PHEREMONEFACTORY/1.jpg



I went to the local U pull it and got another instrument cluster for $40 and replaced it then i had to follow the following steps to get the car to recognise the new cluster

before attemting this make sure your battery is fully charged
1 install the new cluster
2 remove battery cables and touch them together for one minute then replace battery cables ( this step was done because i don't have a code reader to clear the codes doing this clears the codes)
3 close hood get in car close door attemp to start the car it should start and stall note the security light is blinking
4 leave key in the run position until the security light stops flashing and stays on solid ( may take up to 10 minutes mine took all 10 minutes)
5 when security light is on solid turn key off
6 start car ( MINE STARTED RIGHT UP )

Thanks to the many people who helped me it just goes to prove with time and help anything can be fixed. the dealer wanted $800.00 to fix this
it took time the advice of alot of people and 40 dollars to do it myself
and all the help was greatly appreciated