My son currently has a 2000 malibu with 116000 miles that has problems starting. I have read a lot about the passlock security problems etc etc .If I just replace the key lock cylinder will that cure the problem? It does start after the 10 minute wait deal but we are tired of this. I really dont woant to use the wire cut/splice /toggle deal unless I really have to. thanks for any help. JJL

Does this same problem occur with the spare key?

I believe it does but I havent really checked since I gave him a new key yesterday.Tonight it did it once with newer key but then he said it was alright.Just a note that the previous owner was a very heavy smoker and I am wondering if residue from the smoke could dirty up the inside of the ignition key switch area? just a guess.Feel free and appreciated to add any more input.JJL

I copied this from another poster, this will fix your problem for good.

Well, I just bypassed one the other day too. What I did was cut the yellow PK2 wire, stripped a little off of the black reference ground wire, put one lead from my ohm meter on the black ground wire and the other lead on the wire yellow wire going to the ignition switch. Then I put the car in gear and cranked it over. When you do that, the switch will send out what code it has been using. It came out to something like 6.21ohms. I then got some resistors that were about 6.25 and connected one end of the resistors to the cut yellow wire GOING to the BCM and the other end of the resistors to the ground reference wires. It started right up and the theft light went off.

I really dont woant to use the wire cut/splice /toggle deal unless I really have to.

Going back to step one of diagnosing the problem..

jimbolac,
Does the THEFT light illuminate when you encounter this no-start situation?

Yes the light does illuminate during procedure. JJL

I had the same problem (among others), and what worked for me was...I went to Radio Shack (any electrical supply house will do) and bought an aerosol can of electrical contact cleaner. Sprayed it in the ignition and worked the key in and out 30 times or so. Did this once a month for six months, and the problem never happened again. Now I do it every three or four months.