Hello, Thanks for having this forum.

This is for a 2004 Grand AM.

Occasionally when I turn on the ignition key, the blinking "Security" light comes on and the car won't start. It doesn't click or turn over or anything. I have to leave the ignition switch in the on position for ten minutes and then the engine will start.

Can someone please help me figure out how to eliminate this problem?

Thanks

P.*. I took the car to the dealer and they tried to sell me some kind of an accessory for $1000
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you need a new passlock sensor. It attatches directly to the lock cylinder. You can get one from the dealer or through aftermarket parts. Dorman makes them for you car.

I have replaced dozens of them. Easy to do but tedious with the cramped quarters for some people.

Hi BXX thanks for your reply. I have had some other feedback that the problem is burnt contacts on the ignition switch and that the ignition switch should either be replaced or the contacts should be burnished. The theory is that the burnt contacts are not allowing the correct current to flow through the passlock sensor.

What is your take on that theory? Since I have two different opinions, I would hate to buy the wrong part.

Thanks again.

It depends on the vehicle, if it is the system that has a resistor pellet in the key, then they would be correct, if it is the PassKey3 system <no resistor pellet, and PK3 at the top of the key>, assuming the sensor is at fault, then yes BXX is correct. This could be an issue as simple as trying another key also. You are not trying to use a copy are you?

This problem described is over a year old from my reply, but in case anyone else stumbles across it....

For my 2002 Grand AM V6 if the security system is activated the starter will not turn over. The BCM (under glove box) monitors for the magnets to engage a switch in the ignition switch assembly (PassLock Sensor). For me, it'* a yellow wire on pin B6 of the 24-way grey connector on BCM. When the key is in the START position this voltage will change from about 5v to about 2.5v. If it doesn't then a data message is sent over to the PCM (above hood release lever) and the PCM will not pull a signal low to ground the bottom side of the STARTER relay located in the fuse block under hood.

Unrelated to security, however, are a couple other items in the circuit. There is a switch in series with the START voltage in the clutch or auto transmission lever. Clutch must be in or auto must be in PARK or NEUTRAL to pass the START voltage to PCM. Another START voltage goes through a fuse under hood that then feeds the top coil side of the STARTER relay also in the same under hood location. The switch side of this relay is fed from battery through yet another fuse in same under hood location.

I am still searching for the solution to my no-start, but I did stumble across severe corrosion on several BCM pins. After cleaning pins still no start, but I did not remove pins in connector to clean. Maybe that'* it.....

Check the ign cylinder wires that come down the steering column. Theres two wires inside a white sleeve if I remember right and break out at a connector above the brake pedal. I had this exact same problem and it turned out a previous owner had and removed a remote starter. For a remote starter you have to bypass the passkey system by cutting those wires and splicing an equivalent resistor (of the chip in your key) between them on the connector side. In my case when they removed the resistor they only hooked up the ign cyl wires by twisting them together and the twist was my intemittant connection. My fix: reinstall the $1.50 worth of resistors and never deal with passkey again...

the resistor only bypasses the key part there is still more to the problematic system than that.