random car starts

[bheimsoth]

Ok--here's my problem. One day while trying to go home from work, my car won't start. The engine turns over, sounds like it's going to start but never does. So, I bring it to the local mechanic and he scans the computer for codes. A security code and oil pressure code comes up. He said the oil pressure wasn't a problem and didn't know why the security code showed up. But, I do remember it showing up randomly on my dash. So, he simply reset the computer and the thing started. He said it could be a one time computer glitch or a computer problem but didn't want me to pay for a new computer until it was a repeated problem.

Yesterday, the security light came on again. This morning the car wouldn't start again. However, this time it just ticked when I turned the key. The lights would come on, the stereo would come on, but it would just tick. So, I thought maybe it just didn't have enough juice in the battery to start. Didn't have time to mess with jump starting it, so I just had my wife drive me to work thinking that I'd fool with it later. I come home from work to mess with it and it starts. Sounded like it had to work hard to turn over but it did start. I let it run for 15 minutes (thinking it was the battery), let it sit for awhile again, and it now starts up fine.

Any ideas? Battery problem or computer problem? Hopefully battery but I figured that the mechanic would have checked that the first time. Thanks for any info.

[akabatman2]

Hi,

I wish I could tell you but unfortunately, I am in the same boat as you.

I drove to Wal-mart last night from work to pick up a few things and when I got back to my car, it would not start. It turns over, the starter engages, the lights work, accessories work, but it won't start.

I was frustrated, tried again, wouldn't start. Waited for a few minutes, tried, finally started.

Started fine this morning. WTF is up with this car and not starting? Anybody else have this issue?
Any help would be great.
:chinup:

[doobiess]

Ok well i own a 94 so i dont have your probs.. but i will say its a very common problem.. or at least from a hear... just do a search on the topic... many times has it been spoken about... do the search and see if you find anything...

[rixGAphx]

With any Ga problem, make sure your battery cable connections and terminals are brite and shiny clean.

I *think* both of your problems are related to the Security system, which doesn't like to have foreign keys inserted into the ignition.
It interprets them as a thief, and disables the fuel pump (and maybe the ignition, I dunno) for about 15 minutes.

When your key gets worn from excessive use (or the lock cylinder in the ignition gets worn or sticky), then the security system thinks your worn key is a foreign key.

One way to avoid that is to turn the key over. Though the key is dual-cut, there is only one set of pins ('tumblers') in the lock cylinder. As a force of habit, you usually use one side of the key more than the other. Try to balnce out the wear.

You should never get a replacement key made at some hardware store. Get it from a locksmith, and try the new key while he's around to help/re-cut the key.

Finally, you can order a new key thru any GM dealer, based on your VIN. They may want to see ID and proof of ownership.
This way, you get a brand new key factory-cut to the way the pins were installed when it left the factory.

Or, you may have a small current leak (like the damned trunk light) that is draining an already-tired battery.

Old Timer's Battery Check: There should be enough power to crank the engine while the headlights are 'on'. If the headlights dim appreciably, the battery is weak or the terminals are very dirty.

Good luck.
-Rick

[bheimsoth]

Well, sorry I didn't get back with you all. It turns out that I think I had two problems. I brought the car back to the same mechanic, told him the story, and then he checked the battery. It turns out that it was bad. He also replaced the oil pressure switch ($15) just in case. But then I recognized that one of the rear-view mirror lights were on. Could that have drained the battery overnight? I thought there was an automatic shutoff for them. Anyway, the battery was probably 4 years old so it probably would have needed to be replaced soon. All in all, I still think this is unrelated to the security light.

The car has started fine since, but the other day the security light came on again. I read about the key thing awhile back. I'll have to start using my backup to see if that prevents the light from coming on. I'll post back to let you guys know.

BTW, if this doesn't fix the problem, is there anyway that a dealer could disable this security "feature"?

[Mista_IBN]

Fellas, I appreciate the knowledge that you have sprinkled upon my novice thinking. I was having the same problem with my car starting. So, I took the advice, turned the key to try to start it, of course, with no success. I left the key there as it was, and after watching the SECURITY light flash for about ten minutes, it stopped blinking. Car turned right on over when I turned the key.

You all are a lifesaver. I knew I joined this club for a reason :D

Now IBN the wind again!

[akabatman2]

Hi guys,

I don't think mine is the security issue. I can tell you that when the key is in the on position the "Security" light is on solid, but the engine does turn over.
I've had two spare keys made directly at the dealership, all my keys work as expected. I have noticed that the ingintion switch is a little loose fitting it would seem, but I've never had a problem, the engine always cranks, it just doesn't always start right away.
Any other ideas?

Thanks. :bravo:

[bheimsoth]

Ok, I've been using the wife's key for the past few weeks. Security light still comes on randomly but I haven't had any starting problems. Secondly, I think I've read every post on this forum about the"security light" and most of them talk about the security light blinking. Mine never blinks. Secondly, they say it comes on when trying to start. Mine has never came on this way. I'm always driving down the road when it comes on. Does this give anyone any ideas? Otherwise, I'll wait until it fails to start again. Then, maybe I'll bring it to a dealer.

[4kQuad]

Sounds like the alram system has a bad ground, or is going to ground while you drive.

[HeyDace]

Sounds like an ignition lock cylinder. There are 2 wires that come off the cylinder and feed the Vehicle theft deterent module. These 2 wires will fray after time and break, causing either a security light problem or no start. The VTD module on the GM's will only disable the injectors, it will still crank.

[Xidion]

^ what he said. And some times with the Grand ams (dont ask me why the hell they did this) if you dont start the car all the way or stop turning the key mid way into the start the thing will kick on and not let you start the car for 15-25 min i have had that happen to me 3 times. Its some stupid anti theft for hot wiring and stuff like that. IF the car does nothing at all when you turn the key and that light is on wait 15-20 min and try again if it keeps doing it then look in your owners guid it says what to do to get the thing repaired i dont remember what it was i think its a relay or something or a short but im not 100% sure on that one to lazy to go look.

[akabatman2]

Alrighty then.

What a crappy design. GM's so worried about theft that they forget that the owner might actually need to start the car.
What if I had to take someone to the emergency room immediately, I have to wait for my car to reset itself... WTF!!

:banghead:

[Xidion]

^ i was late for work 2 times because of that gd thing.

[grandamjoe]

Guys I'm having the same problem with my 2000 Grand Am and have started a thread to find some answers. Recently I have been experiencing times when my car wont start. I have found that it will start when I tap on the fuel tank and after that, I will hear the Fuel pump come on.

I think that something mabey the theft system is disabling the fuel pump for some reason.

any advice guys?

[Xidion]

^ thats what the system does it shuts off the fuel system i know there are lots of problems with this. Look in the owners guid its in there. Try to start your car if it dosent start and the light comes on turn the key off for 15-20 min then try again if it keeps doing it take it to a shop or call them up and ask whats wrong. Could be a short or the relay could be bad.

[HeyDace]

Originally posted by grandamjoe
Guys I'm having the same problem with my 2000 Grand Am and have started a thread to find some answers. Recently I have been experiencing times when my car wont start. I have found that it will start when I tap on the fuel tank and after that, I will hear the Fuel pump come on.

I think that something mabey the theft system is disabling the fuel pump for some reason.

any advice guys?

Totally different animal. The theft system shuts down the injectors only. What you are experiancing is a bad fuel pump. Common problem. Whack the tank and it starts. Soon whacking won't work. Whack it all day if you like and it won't work. Replace the pump.

[grandamjoe]

**********************UPDATE******************

I finally found the problem to my Fuel Pump eractic behavior. I posted on another thread that I had replaced the pump several months ago and recently( two weeks ago) I had to keep tapping on the fuel tank so that the pump would start. Finally the tapping didn't work anymore.

This mornng I took the tank down and tested the pump and it worked fine so I took I look at the wire hardness and found that the one ( the single large connector) that attaches to the pump was only making contact with two out of four contacts on the connector. I replaced the entire contact and guess what, no problems.

This may or not be the problem with many on this forum if not, its beats spending $700 + for a new pump installed..

[akabatman2]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the tip regarding the fuel pump connector.
If that happens to me, I'll be sure to check that first before I have a fuel pump replaced.

I was wondering, have any of you all experienced this?

When I first get into my car in the morning, this morning for example; I open the door so I can hear the fuel pump come on when I put the ignition to the On position right before I start it.

I hear a sound that sounds like air coming out of a tire real fast, a pssstt...sound or maybe a small pressure value releasing, and I hear the fuel pump doing its thing.

My problem with not starting is usually after the car has been running for a while, like if I am going to the store. Park in the parking lot. Come out a half hour later and the car has to crank extra to get started and in that one case, crank and crank, until I gave up and just sat there for a while and then tried again and it started. Weird. I like my car, but I pray that it isn't going to be a big pain in the arse.




:idunno: