99 pontiac grand am

I have a 99 Pontiac Grand Am. Lately on an intermittent basis the car will not start and the security light flashes. I believe this has something to do with the passlock system. Any suggestions on how to fix or bypass is greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the forum. Try performing a security re-learn. Do the following:

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.
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.

I have the same issue as well. If the security light comes on flashing, I let it sit for 11 minutes or until the security light goes solid. Once that happens, the car normally starts back up on the next try.

Ridenour - are your instructions a way to reset the security system completely?




Welcome to the forum. Try performing a security re-learn. Do the following:

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.
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.

Yeh they are for resetting it completely. If anybody's wondering, I got them from www.pfyc.com.

I have found a fix for my security light problems. Thought I would share with those suffering from the same problem. My vehicle is a 99 Grand Am so this fix may or may not work on other years. The main problem is due to ignition not reading the key correctly. Some have solved this with a new ignition, etc. Have read where some had dealers replace ignition switches and problem re-occurred some time in the future. After thinking about it, I wondered if dirt, dust and so on might be the main problem. I bought a can of electronics cleaner, soaked my key with it and inserted key in and out of ignition several times. No security light for a month. Then it happened again. Got my electronics cleaner and this time sacrificed a pillow case to have a piece of cloth small enough to fit around key and in to ignition switch. I soaked the cloth with cleaner and then gently pushed key (with cloth around it) in and out of ignition. Cloth came out black. It has been a long time and still no security light problem. (Do not use a cloth that will lose material in your ignition).

I learned that on my vehicle when security light used to come on, all I did was wait 10 minutes and it would go off. You can time it, 10 minutes and light quits flashing (99 model). I did not have to turn key on while waiting.

Mine works perfect now. Total cost = $5.00. If you do try the above, use wisdom with the cleaner. It is probably not safe to breath a lot of it and most assuredly it’s flammable. Hope you solve yours as cheap as I did.

I have found a fix for my security light problems. Thought I would share with those suffering from the same problem. My vehicle is a 99 Grand Am so this fix may or may not work on other years. The main problem is due to ignition not reading the key correctly. Some have solved this with a new ignition, etc. Have read where some had dealers replace ignition switches and problem re-occurred some time in the future. After thinking about it, I wondered if dirt, dust and so on might be the main problem. I bought a can of electronics cleaner, soaked my key with it and inserted key in and out of ignition several times. No security light for a month. Then it happened again. Got my electronics cleaner and this time sacrificed a pillow case to have a piece of cloth small enough to fit around key and in to ignition switch. I soaked the cloth with cleaner and then gently pushed key (with cloth around it) in and out of ignition. Cloth came out black. It has been a long time and still no security light problem. (Do not use a cloth that will lose material in your ignition).

I learned that on my vehicle when security light used to come on, all I did was wait 10 minutes and it would go off. You can time it, 10 minutes and light quits flashing (99 model). I did not have to turn key on while waiting.

Mine works perfect now. Total cost = $5.00. If you do try the above, use wisdom with the cleaner. It is probably not safe to breath a lot of it and most assuredly it’s flammable. Hope you solve yours as cheap as I did.

And to think the dealer rather replace your ignition switch every month