Car Won't Start

[tsmitty025]

So, my car won't start, it just turns over and every once in awhile it putters like it's going to start but it doesn't... Sat out there for 5 minutes trying. Anyone have some ideas? I'm the only one home right now and I have two tests today. My gas is low, but not low enough for the gas light to be on. It drove fine yesterday, I put some new windshield washer stuff in it yesterday when I got home...

[Gr1m]

security light on? leave the key in the ignition and turned to the ACC position and let it sit for about 10-20 minutes, go out there and try it again

[tsmitty025]

Okay, just put the key in... The security light flashes while it's in the ACC position. What does that mean?

[Gr1m]

yep its your passlock, it wont let you start your car with that light flashing, just leave it for about 10 minutes and go see if the security light is off, if it is the car should start normally, if its still flashing let it sit for another 10 minutes and check it again

[Gr1m]

good luck with it but i have work now, but that should solve your problems, and if you get stranded somewhere else your going to have to do the same thing

[tsmitty025]

Thanks for the help. This is ridiculous though, I don't even know what the point of passlock is... what was GM thinking? Is there any way to bypass it?

[jayson_waltz]

There is a way to bypass i've read, but it isn't a easy snip a wire and go type thing. Btw, when its sitting waitng, leave the key in the fully on position for at least 10 minutes. if you try to start it before the 10 minutes is up, even like 9.9 minutes, you have to start the process over.

[Kilroy]

Here is a dumb question, but what exactly does the passlock system do?? I realize it is supposed to stop the car from being stolen, but how exactly does the passlock system think the car is being stolen?? If you are using a key, one would think it's not being stolen??

[cherrington17]

if your using a key thats slightly different... it'll prevent starting.... i think

[Kilroy]

if your using a key thats slightly different... it'll prevent starting.... i think

You mean like if your own key starts to wear down?

[AndyT3]

The way PassLOCK works is as follows. The ignition lock cylinder is programmed to look for a certain voltage, lets say 2 volts. When you take your key and put it in the ignition, your key is programmed for 2 volts, so with the key in the ignition, it completes a circuit and the car starts. If you take a key that fits, but is not programmed to the correct voltage, that circuit is not complete, and thats how PassLOCK knows you don't have the correct key.

[Kilroy]

But the key is just metal? Would an non-factory key that was recut create havoc with the passlock system then? Does this mean one should ONLY use an original GM key blank??

[cherrington17]

But the key is just metal? Would an non-factory key that was recut create havoc with the passlock system then? Does this mean one should ONLY use an original GM key blank??

my spare (given to my by the dealer) is just a plain blank cut key. Not GM in anyway... it works fine.

:huh:

[jayson_waltz]

The way PassLOCK works is as follows. The ignition lock cylinder is programmed to look for a certain voltage, lets say 2 volts. When you take your key and put it in the ignition, your key is programmed for 2 volts, so with the key in the ignition, it completes a circuit and the car starts. If you take a key that fits, but is not programmed to the correct voltage, that circuit is not complete, and thats how PassLOCK knows you don't have the correct key.
wrong. Alero's don't have chips in their keys. Passlock just make the car touchy about worn out keys and locks up the radio if it's taken out to the point that a dealership unlocks it before it will work again

[2004alero]

i had the same issue but i was told it was because if the spare key isn't the exact match to ignition then the pass lock detects it. i ended up going to junk yard paying 10 buck for a different ignition switch and 2 normal keys.

[lord2heart]

i didnt know you had to leave the key in the ignition on the on position or acc. whenever it happends to me i just take the key out, go inside my house, kill time, go back out and it'l start right back up. is it not suppose to do that?

[AndyT3]

wrong. Alero's don't have chips in their keys. Passlock just make the car touchy about worn out keys and locks up the radio if it's taken out to the point that a dealership unlocks it before it will work again

Yeah now that you mention it. What system am I thinking of then? I've watched my dad (GM Master Tech) service quite a few of them at the Chevy dealership he works at. Sorry to the OP for the confusion :(

BTW, the feature your thinking of on the raido isn't PassLOCK it's TheftLOCK :)

Edit: I remembered the system I was thinking of, its PassKEY, not PassLOCK, sorry.

[mystery]

I replaced the switch interrupter commutateur and my alero starts up more flawless then before so don't jam the key when you crank the car other wise you will spend three hundred bucks.

[AleroDrime]

im lost how was the key/ignition peice 200 picks, ive replaced two in two different fords, the peice is like 15 bucks autozone and about a 10 min ordeal if you take your time, as eazy as it is to get the guages and stuff out of the alero so you can reach in that area, how is it 300 bucks

[alero_bmxer]

because its a ford

[marcg83]

I have had the same problem and did the 10 minute thing sitting out there like a moron. My car seems to take it a step further. If my gas gauge drops below a half tank then I have trouble starting and then the security light comes on. Any ideas on what that can be?

[Chris2000]

When I was working on changing the dash we had to unhook the battery so the airbags wouldn't kill us. After it was all done and we hooked the battery back up and went to start the car the security light came on. In the footwell in the front (closest to your seat) if you feel the top there should be a toggle switch. I toggled that back and forth 3 times and then the security light went away and it started right up.

[2004alero]

if any one needs i can get you a used key and ignition swich for 20 bucks plus shiping from ny.

[kickroqs]

*1999 Alero 2.4L* Ok so I got the same prob as many other peoole so I've read. car turns over but will not start. I did the 10 min. process and nothing. I got a new battery. I hear the fuel pump doing a "whirring" sound for about 2 - 4 seconds then it shuts off. My headlights, radio, and sunroof work. What is it? Alternater, fuel pump, starter? Fuses all check out. Have a 1 year old and don't like taking her out so much. Please help.

[Weazel]

Occasionally my car wont start and stay on, which triggers (for me at least) the passlock feature too. It's loads of fun to sit at the gas pump for an extra 10 minutes because of this failure of a system. Isn't it supposed to allow you 3 fails before locking you out?

[2004alero]

for me with my car i had to Wait 30 mins one time before i replaced my ignition switch from one i got at junk yard. first time it did it i had no clue the manual didn't even Say any of that. i ended up figuring it out after not using my car for 2 months.:angry:

[gerry]

I just recently had this problem. From what I saw on the net it seems to be an issue related to the kill switch. The red security light is blinking? To fix you need to turn the key and leave it like that for 10 min. The light goes off and you pull the key out. Count to 10 and then try. It worked like a charm for me. From what I've read, if you turn on the radio and open the passanger door and lower the window or whatever the computer counts that as wrong attempts at the kill switch. Locks you out for 10 min. Sounds plausible because that's what happened to me.

Cheers
Gerry

[kickroqs]

Ok so replaced the fuel pump and one of my ignition coils and she still wont start. any ideas? ahould i have replaced both coils? it will start every now and then but shes stubborn. HELP!