5th Sep 2010, 06:49
I have a 2003 Grand Am, and on Friday my girlfriend came to pick me up from work, shut the car off and now it still won't start. I have 55psi in my fuel rail, the pump runs its 3 second cycle, and it's getting spark, but the injectors will not come on, so I'm going to try the 15 minute thing, but I can't remember if the security light was on or not. I'll let you know.
3rd Oct 2010, 20:16
Trust me, when everything goes right, there has got to be a flaw, and yes the 2003 Grand Am is a hell of a ride, but... the security system is... questionable... STOP, don't take your car to the shop, it won't help. This is a great running car, wait the 12 minutes and reset the security system, and this baby will run to 300,000 miles...
12th Oct 2010, 12:25
Passlock is junk, same problem with me. Twice within a year, the security light came on and prevented start up. The first time was a $500 fix where the dealer replaced the whole key and tumbler system.
Luckily (?) for me, the second time it went out was 2 days prior to the repair warranty expiring, and the dealer fixed it at GM's cost. I wish I knew about the 15 minute on trick back then.
Can someone tell me, is that a long term fix (the 15 minute deal), or will it just go bad again?
17th Oct 2010, 14:01
I have a 2003 Grand Am GT, bought brand new. I have had the do the 11 minutes "on" thing a few times over the years, but the last time (about 4 months ago) the light stayed on and has not turned off. The car is working just fine thank goodness. Not sure how to turn it off though.
Also changed the brakes and the ABS, trac off and service vehicle soon light have been on for 7 months with no issue. I am not a fan of ABS brakes, so no big deal.
12th Nov 2010, 18:20
I also have a 2003 Grand AM GT that has, over the years, refused to start (randomly)... and it is associated with the security light coming on/off. Recently the security light comes on in the middle of driving somewhere. Do I have to worry about the car cutting out while driving?
My ABS sensor also triggers every time I turn my wheel sharply. Does that mean that it is a brake problem or a sensor problem?
13th Nov 2010, 14:00
Our 2004 Grand Am SE 2.2L won't start in our garage. I just bought a extra key, replaced the battery and filled the tank. It was starting instantly. There were no codes or warning lights to help. We checked the owners manual about starting. Anybody need a ignition control module? We finally saw in THIEF WARNING SYSTEMS to turn the key on for 10 minutes, turn off and start to reset PASSLOCK. There's a resistance problem as the car ages. The SECURITY light came on a couple of times, but it starts OK now.
19th Nov 2010, 08:16
I bought my 1999 Pontiac Grand AM V6 new over 11 years ago (now has 93,000 miles) and the engine/trans are still going strong.
What happened over the past 10 years..
PROS
1. V6 engine very good/powerful/reliable.
2. Great handling helped me avert many accidents.
3. Even decent in snow (lived in NY for 9 yrs).
4. No rust.
5. Paint not fading.
All in all, I would buy a Grand Am again... but have heard newer models are giving more problems.
CONS
1. Alternator failed twice (car just dies on the road) - this happens with most cars after a while anyway.
2. The coolant system sprung a leak so I had to get it replaced (around 60,000 miles).
3. Rado died at about 80000 miles (I think due to it being towed though).
4. Security light comes on, even when in the middle of driving, but no concerns since it goes off after a while.
2nd Jul 2011, 22:06
Hi, I am experiencing the same problem, and at the same time the engine shuts down, a buzz is coming from the dash of the car.
7th Jul 2011, 20:21
I've had my 2003 Pontiac Grand AM SE 2.2L since 2005. I bought it with about 16,000 miles on it. Just this past April I was having problems with the car starting up. I took it to the dealer, and they told me that it was the fuse panel and ignition switch that was melted. It was melted by my sound system being installed improperly. The fix was about $2,000, and now just today the security light came on. Anyone have any idea what that could mean? It came on while I was driving, but it started up just fine after I turned the car off.
3rd Aug 2011, 20:01
Thanks for everyone's help. It really helped my family and I get out of a frustrating situation. Thanks again...
10th Nov 2011, 14:42
I have had the same issues, and for a while it worked, but now it will not start again. Found out later that the car wasn't getting gas. I put it in the shop over a week ago, put a brand new fuel pump in, and not 450.00 later, it still won't start. It's my daughter's car, who is college, and we are just frustrated. Not sure what to do now.
11th Jul 2010, 19:03
I am a licensed mechanic that sees this kind of problem every day. It's not just Grand Ams. It's Cavaliers, Sunfires, Malibu, Grand Prixs and others.
Also just to let everyone know, don't have a lot of keys on a key chain (too much weight) for the ignition cylinder. It will damage it and a security problem will occur.
Hope this helps all readers.