I apologize for hijacking the thread, i can start a new one with my problem if desired.
yes the carb cleaner keeps the car running and dies when i stop. all the signs that I see point to a passlock problem.
the car doesnt run more often then it does. when it does run everything works as it should. when it does not run the radio, gauge cluster and keyless entry do not work at all, along with of course the car not starting properly. meaning it tries to start gets a rev in and stalls.

PassLock has nothing to do with the radio, gage cluster, or keyless entry......

It'* possible it'* an electrical wiring problem and/or PassLock problem....looking at schematics for each system, may find a common fault, like a ground problem.....

I will look up some wiring diagrams.
I don't understand how PassLock has nothing to do with that stuff, but it could still be a PassLock problem.

What I mean is, you could have a PassLock problem, but that in itself, would not cause a radio, gage, etc. problem......however, what is causing the radio gage, etc. problem, could also be causing the PassLock problem.......understand?

do you know when i can find a good wiring diagram for this car?
again its a 2001 Alero 2.4L no onstar

I just checked, if you sign up with AutoZone, costs nothing, they have diagrams for your car....then click my vehicles at the top, then click add vehicle, punch in your car....then click repair help, and then click vehicle repair guides......then scroll down and click wiring diagrams, voila!

i was looking at those wiring diagrams. Unfortunately it tells you what is grounded to what ground point but it does not tell you the location of that ground point. i know that its under the dash. from what i saw all the systems except remote entry are attached to the same ground. Ground 202. the remote entry is ground 402.
what has happened since the last post is as follows
installed a new PassLock and Lock Cylinder (purchased before identifying as a possible ground problem)
after the installation the car did as it should, meaning the car started then stalled. the security light came on and I had to perform the PassLock reprogram. after about 10 min the security light went out I turned the ignition to the off position, waited 10 sec the car started and everything was normal. I let it run for a few minutes turned it off and called it a day.
went to drive it this morning the car started and everything was normal. i normally listen to music on my phone through the car radio using the tape to aux adapter. I put the tape into the radio and the radio went dead. no clock no noise, nothing. and the security light came on. the car was still running. as an attempt to fix the issue i turned the car off and when i turned it back on the car started and ran, but the other issues came back. no radio, not gauges, no remote entry.

I also want to add that this is the first time I have used the tape to aux adapter since this problem has come about. so I don't think it is specifically that.

Well, because the car was already running, and the SECURITY light cam on AFTER the car was running, it did not die on you.......when the SECURITY problem is there, BEFORE the car is started, then the car won't start....

Is this the original OEM radio?

It certainly looks like a wiring or communication problem......in this case, you may need a Tech II scan tool to look for codes, specifically "B" and "U" codes....

yes it is the original factory radio.