Trick fix. The price is right, and its relatively easy to do following your tutorial. You have repaired and kept so many Grand Ams on the road through the years that you deserve to be in the Pontiac Hall of Fame alongside Herb Adams, Jim Wangers, Mac MacKellar, John Delorean, and all the rest.
Some years ago I had a 1996 Grand am. Great car, didn't cause any issues except fuel pump. I paid $1300 for it, put 80,000 miles on it and sold it to a friend that kept bugging me to buy it. I sold it to him for $1500.
When you publish this type of video, this is a direct contribution to help some people with limited $ to maintain/keep their vh (or tell some shop how to do it, as with the rotted frame on the Equinox) . A HUGE thank you for this 👌👌👌👌👌
Think it is great you keep those neat sporty little cars on the road. I rented a GT years ago on a job outside of Portland near Puget Sound. Job assignment was a training gig at a hardwood sawmill. The road was well finished gravel to and from the mill back to the main asphalt highway. My gosh Scott I never had so much FUN drifting on that gravel road. That little GT was a rocket and handled frankly surprisingly well for a production car. Fond memory. nice little car and a great video. Thanks for your loyalty to the old Grand Am's they are cool as well as good little car and deserve a second chance in life. Great video thanks again have a great week.
They are just fun to work on. I do enjoy driving them as well. Decent gas mileage, comfortable ride and cheap maintenance. I don’t need one of those fancy new cars with all the toys on it.
I referenced the connector end view in my 2002 Grand Am/Alero and the matching 2002 Malibu factory service manual, and the pin outs Scott is referring to on the BCM connector (referred to as Connector C2 in the service manual) is 100% correct
I was by passing the theft on these back when these were still under warranty. Probably did 250 to 300. None ever came back with a no start, while other techs would have comebacks when they replaced parts. I use a 2.2K resistor, it puts the voltage right in the middle of spec the BCM expects to see.
Thanks for sharing, great tip!!! I own an 03 GA GT currently replacing head gaskets and more 🙄 I replaced the lock with a GM factory one wasn't too bad to replace. Have a good 1!!!
At least there is a fix to get home with this issue. We have a 2004 Hyundai Getz. If the battery goes flat in the key fob, you are locked out and no way to start the car. If you open the door with the key, the alarm goes off and the car is disabled. Only fix is to replace the battery in the key fob, something hard to do if you are out of town and nowhere near an electronics store.
Something similar happened to me once, now I keep a spare battery somewhere in the car, along with 2 light bulbs because they always burn at the worst time
I remember watching an SMA video about this similar issue and being shocked at how easy it was (thought not on a Grand AM). Super cheap and easy fix for anyone with the security light. Gotta laugh too at the jab at Kia owners though my friend isn't happy at my jabs since his Kia has depreciated a lot since his family has owned it lol.
So the yellow B6 wire you cut, the resistor goes back into the computer module, correct and not to the switch. Then splices into the stripped black A6 wire to complete the circuit.
Hmmm, interesting. Our recent model year Freightliner trucks have a proximity sensor in the seat. Basically, if the driver is not in the seat, it won't run. Since it's a rather new thing, as we've had trucks that need the seat replaced, as we've done for years we put in a generic brand seat, then find out the truck won't run due to the lack of a proximity sensor. One dealer in Nebraska had identified a way to bypass the proximity sensor issue by wiring a couple of these into the seat wiring harness. I didn't see it, but following the write up it described a very similar procedure, except I believe they used 2 resistors.
I owned a 2002 Chevy Blazer. Like clockwork, it would have the 'no crank/no start' VATS problem every 30 days (give or take). I never 'fixed' it, just dealt with having to reset the system when it happened. Never thought about setting the parking brake to disable the lights, which would be a great idea when it's sub-zero and this happens.
I have this mod on my 2001 grand am. Also did it at the bcm. But every great while the security light will flash making you wait the 10mins anyway. Also the security light stays illuminated all the time but starts fine.
But I thought that you were the Denali expert. All kidding aside, I always enjoy watching your videos. I wonder what the future videos for this car entail.
I did a security relearn today on a 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva what are the odds that Scott was going to upload a video on how to do a relearn on this N-body...!!! 👍✌️
This was an issue long before the N bodies. My 91 Eldorado had the same issue when the grand am in this video was brand new. The problem is cheap wiring at the ignition switch fails internally due to the mechanical action of the switch. Replacing the ignition switch, especially with a used one is just going to delay a repeat of the problem. In my Caddy’s case there was a connector for the harness under the drivers kick plate. Just disconnect at the plug and stick the resistor right into the plug for the harness to the bcm. No wire splicing at all. You should cover a video about same symptoms due to either a bad starter or neutral switch issues, and how to troubleshoot those with a ‘rectangular wooden adjustment tool’.
That is a different system. Those were the original passlock with the pellet in the key. Different method of bypass but similar concept. Yes, I am old, I have done those as well.
Wow! Now that's pretty cool! Question? What can you check for in a 2005 Pontiac Bonneville that is not cranking and has a new battery, alternator and starter. Could it have a ignition failure/security feature like this one in the video? Any suggestions would be so greatly appreciated! Thanks
Hi Scott! I had this exact issue on my 2000 GT and this fix did the trick! It’s been about 5 days since fixing it and the security light won’t turn off. I’ve had probably about 8 starts now. Is there a way to get the light to turn off? We disconnected the battery before doing the job, so I don’t know if that would have been the issue. Thanks again good sir!
Thanks for the video! Some other You Tube videos show cutting both the yellow and black wires and connecting the resistor only between the BCM wires. Since you are no longer using the electronics in the ignition switch, do you really need to keep the black (ground) wire connected between the BCM and ignition switch? Thanks.
Okay, So I have a 03 and I had the security light come on and it stopped starting. So I did the reprogramming and made it home. but the next day it wouldn't start again and this time, there were no lights, no sound, no crank. So I'm thinking this is the next thing I should be doing to get it to start again.
Hey I have a Pontiac that I brought from someone it’s been taken care of and I brought it home, I had it sitting in the garage for a 1 week I came back to start it and it won’t start😢 it’s just showing the service light… but it does need an oil change
So, is the mechanism of failure a corroded electrical connection between the ignition housing and the key, causing slightly elevated resistance compared to what is expected?
I never opened one up but I assume the contacts in the switch just wear out. It is intermittent, it might go 1000 starts before it happens again or it could be the next time you start it.
I had the same issue, 03 Impala. There was corrosion build up internally in the ignition switch. I fixed the no start by spraying electrical contact cleaner inside the lock, with the spray tip. It worked for me no issues yet. Good Luck to all.
I have a 2001 Grand Prix 3.1 no crank, no start. It was parked for four years. Battery was installed and fuel pump as well. It will start with starting fluid, but it doesn't stay on with straight flow of starting fluid. It was noticed with KOEO the fuel pump, dashboard lights and engine bay sensors engage and disengage without moving the key from KOEO position. Disconnected PCM and it stops engaging and disengaging. Any had this problem before?
That issue was AFTER the Grand Ams were discontinued. GM cheaped out on ignition switches. End result was the faulty switch would cause your brakes and steering to go out by intermittently shutting the car off while driving it. This is a completely different issue from what Scotty is explaining.
@@vehcorif I remember correctly, only certain vehicles got completely new ignition switches (Chevy Cobalt, Saturn Ion, Pontiac G6, Chevy HHR) everything else except for the BOF trucks, SUVs and the Aveo (which weren’t affected at all) had plugs installed into the original factory keys to significantly reduce the size of the key ring hole, as well as GM recommended that owners remove all keys unrelated to the vehicle so there was no chance for the problem to occur again.
Kool,learned something new,what if I have same problem on same year range ,full size Chevrolet truck.just curious great little tutorial .good video as always 👍👍👍😎😎😎
@@vehcor funny story for you: when I worked in a cabinet shop, the boss brought in some co-op trade school students to learn. Ok buddy, how wide is that cabinet? 23 and 6 tickies. me: excuse me? 23 and 6 tickies WHat in the holy hell is a tickie? he points to the 1/16" marks on a tape measure. it was at that moment I knew my life was going to be hell for the next 3 months lol
Those things were so notorious for ignition locks.... My Mom had an Alero.... Lock cylinder went out, refused to start. Local shop wouldn't touch it, had to take it to the dealer..... I wish I had known.... But, on your Mom's car, you tend to lean towards doing the right thing.... It avoids a lot of follow up phone calls.... Drove me nuts at the time... The thing would start fine, and then out of the blue, not start.....
You keep saying "program" it.. but what did you do to program it? Did you simply let it set there with the key on for the 10 mins to reset? How does that reprogram it? I'm not exactly sure what it's doing when it resets or "reprograms" itself. I don't' get. lol
I said 1000-13000 ohm resistor, don’t worry about what is on the diagram, it is wrong.
33+ tape helps also
How do I start with lost key and transponder
Trick fix. The price is right, and its relatively easy to do following your tutorial. You have repaired and kept so many Grand Ams on the road through the years that you deserve to be in the Pontiac Hall of Fame alongside Herb Adams, Jim Wangers, Mac MacKellar, John Delorean, and all the rest.
You may never know when you may end up owning one of these vehicles and end up having this problem. Scott is the master of these vehicles.
Some years ago I had a 1996 Grand am. Great car, didn't cause any issues except fuel pump. I paid $1300 for it, put 80,000 miles on it and sold it to a friend that kept bugging me to buy it. I sold it to him for $1500.
When you publish this type of video, this is a direct contribution to help some people with limited $ to maintain/keep their vh (or tell some shop how to do it, as with the rotted frame on the Equinox) . A HUGE thank you for this 👌👌👌👌👌
Like the mid week repair videos Scott. Keep them coming. 👍 👍 👍
Think it is great you keep those neat sporty little cars on the road. I rented a GT years ago on a job outside of Portland near Puget Sound. Job assignment was a training gig at a hardwood sawmill. The road was well finished gravel to and from the mill back to the main asphalt highway. My gosh Scott I never had so much FUN drifting on that gravel road. That little GT was a rocket and handled frankly surprisingly well for a production car. Fond memory. nice little car and a great video. Thanks for your loyalty to the old Grand Am's they are cool as well as good little car and deserve a second chance in life.
Great video thanks again have a great week.
They are just fun to work on. I do enjoy driving them as well. Decent gas mileage, comfortable ride and cheap maintenance. I don’t need one of those fancy new cars with all the toys on it.
I remember in the early 90's when that system was popular. Even the training we went to, except GM, told us to do that.
Good one Scott.
Thank You, finally something we can use on TH-cam....
So now we know where Scott is getting his stock for Scott's Grand Am Emporium.....🤣
Seriously tho,it's nice to have a mid week video,been a while!
I have a 2008 Grand Prix. You can simply turn the theft deterrent system off on the DIC.
That’s a beautiful Grand Am GT, the color wheels and the leather is perfect
You haven’t seen the best part. This thing is a time capsule. Not a spec of rust underneath.
I referenced the connector end view in my 2002 Grand Am/Alero and the matching 2002 Malibu factory service manual, and the pin outs Scott is referring to on the BCM connector (referred to as Connector C2 in the service manual) is 100% correct
Awesome! Another Grand Am video! Wouldn't be vehcor without a Grand Am video every now and then!
I was by passing the theft on these back when these were still under warranty. Probably did 250 to 300. None ever came back with a no start, while other techs would have comebacks when they replaced parts. I use a 2.2K resistor, it puts the voltage right in the middle of spec the BCM expects to see.
Thanks for sharing, great tip!!! I own an 03 GA GT currently replacing head gaskets and more 🙄 I replaced the lock with a GM factory one wasn't too bad to replace. Have a good 1!!!
At least there is a fix to get home with this issue. We have a 2004 Hyundai Getz. If the battery goes flat in the key fob, you are locked out and no way to start the car. If you open the door with the key, the alarm goes off and the car is disabled. Only fix is to replace the battery in the key fob, something hard to do if you are out of town and nowhere near an electronics store.
Something similar happened to me once, now I keep a spare battery somewhere in the car, along with 2 light bulbs because they always burn at the worst time
Impressive. You should change your middle name to, "Grand Am" -- you're the master at these things.
Thanks. Going to try it on my 05 caddilac srx your bcm looks like mine.👍didn't realize they slide in and out like that.
Bonus Wednesday video. Nice. That was actually very helpful and educational all in one. Thanks
You are the GrandAm GURU!!!!
I remember watching an SMA video about this similar issue and being shocked at how easy it was (thought not on a Grand AM). Super cheap and easy fix for anyone with the security light. Gotta laugh too at the jab at Kia owners though my friend isn't happy at my jabs since his Kia has depreciated a lot since his family has owned it lol.
This video had my track of what day it was all messed up. IT'S NOT FRIDAY!!! Also this tip will work great for the 12 that are still out there.
So the yellow B6 wire you cut, the resistor goes back into the computer module, correct and not to the switch. Then splices into the stripped black A6 wire to complete the circuit.
I hope I never need this information, but thanks for sharing it with us.
The Grand Am "King" and well deserved!
Hmmm, interesting. Our recent model year Freightliner trucks have a proximity sensor in the seat. Basically, if the driver is not in the seat, it won't run. Since it's a rather new thing, as we've had trucks that need the seat replaced, as we've done for years we put in a generic brand seat, then find out the truck won't run due to the lack of a proximity sensor. One dealer in Nebraska had identified a way to bypass the proximity sensor issue by wiring a couple of these into the seat wiring harness. I didn't see it, but following the write up it described a very similar procedure, except I believe they used 2 resistors.
I owned a 2002 Chevy Blazer. Like clockwork, it would have the 'no crank/no start' VATS problem every 30 days (give or take). I never 'fixed' it, just dealt with having to reset the system when it happened. Never thought about setting the parking brake to disable the lights, which would be a great idea when it's sub-zero and this happens.
Happy Wednesday, Scott!🍻
I have this mod on my 2001 grand am. Also did it at the bcm. But every great while the security light will flash making you wait the 10mins anyway. Also the security light stays illuminated all the time but starts fine.
But I thought that you were the Denali expert. All kidding aside, I always enjoy watching your videos. I wonder what the future videos for this car entail.
I had one exact same color. Without the hood scoops but was a GT.
I did a security relearn today on a 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva what are the odds that Scott was going to upload a video on how to do a relearn on this N-body...!!! 👍✌️
One of those still exist? 😂 Must be a southern car, I haven’t seen one in many years. They all rotted away like everything else from that era.
@@vehcor it's a Vegas car... No rust and it's clean and mint...!!! 😎👍
Keep it away from here! This GA was pristine until it got here. Now it will die a slow rusty death! 😢
@@vehcor 😂🤣😎👍✌️
I have this problem on my 04 impala. Pissed every time it won't turn over. I will fix it today.
Apparently kicking the car doesn't help.
Should be the same, might even have the same color wires, I don’t remember. It’s been a while.
Great trick, it's almost like you did that before!
Once or twice. 😂
Hey Scott!
👋🏻 🥈
Thank you, Scott, for sharing that with us!
This was an issue long before the N bodies. My 91 Eldorado had the same issue when the grand am in this video was brand new.
The problem is cheap wiring at the ignition switch fails internally due to the mechanical action of the switch. Replacing the ignition switch, especially with a used one is just going to delay a repeat of the problem.
In my Caddy’s case there was a connector for the harness under the drivers kick plate. Just disconnect at the plug and stick the resistor right into the plug for the harness to the bcm. No wire splicing at all.
You should cover a video about same symptoms due to either a bad starter or neutral switch issues, and how to troubleshoot those with a ‘rectangular wooden adjustment tool’.
That is a different system. Those were the original passlock with the pellet in the key. Different method of bypass but similar concept. Yes, I am old, I have done those as well.
I usually just take the battery cable off and put it back together, it works every time
This also worked for me when I had to replace the BCM with a fresh junkyard unit.
Grand AM my favorite ! 👍
I had a 2004 Alero and did the same thing to it.
Haven’t seen one of these cars in a long time
I see them everyday around me, and not just all the ones I sold.
Wow! Now that's pretty cool! Question? What can you check for in a 2005 Pontiac Bonneville that is not cranking and has a new battery, alternator and starter. Could it have a ignition failure/security feature like this one in the video? Any suggestions would be so greatly appreciated! Thanks
Yay a Grand Am video!!!!!
Hi Scott! I had this exact issue on my 2000 GT and this fix did the trick! It’s been about 5 days since fixing it and the security light won’t turn off. I’ve had probably about 8 starts now. Is there a way to get the light to turn off? We disconnected the battery before doing the job, so I don’t know if that would have been the issue. Thanks again good sir!
Thanks for the video! Some other You Tube videos show cutting both the yellow and black wires and connecting the resistor only between the BCM wires. Since you are no longer using the electronics in the ignition switch, do you really need to keep the black (ground) wire connected between the BCM and ignition switch? Thanks.
Thanks I'll put that in the memory bank just in case.
Okay, So I have a 03 and I had the security light come on and it stopped starting. So I did the reprogramming and made it home. but the next day it wouldn't start again and this time, there were no lights, no sound, no crank. So I'm thinking this is the next thing I should be doing to get it to start again.
Hey I have a Pontiac that I brought from someone it’s been taken care of and I brought it home, I had it sitting in the garage for a 1 week I came back to start it and it won’t start😢 it’s just showing the service light… but it does need an oil change
So, is the mechanism of failure a corroded electrical connection between the ignition housing and the key, causing slightly elevated resistance compared to what is expected?
I never opened one up but I assume the contacts in the switch just wear out. It is intermittent, it might go 1000 starts before it happens again or it could be the next time you start it.
I had the same issue, 03 Impala. There was corrosion build up internally in the ignition switch. I fixed the no start by spraying electrical contact cleaner inside the lock, with the spray tip. It worked for me no issues yet. Good Luck to all.
Will this work on 92 firebird hasn't cranked and run in 16 years
Yes. Plenty of videos on here to show you. I did it to my 92 formula WS6 about 17 years ago.
Good to know keeping the back of my mind for the future
Vector....u are a Grand AM guineas! 😊
I have a 2001 Grand Prix 3.1 no crank, no start. It was parked for four years. Battery was installed and fuel pump as well. It will start with starting fluid, but it doesn't stay on with straight flow of starting fluid. It was noticed with KOEO the fuel pump, dashboard lights and engine bay sensors engage and disengage without moving the key from KOEO position. Disconnected PCM and it stops engaging and disengaging. Any had this problem before?
Great tip, Scott!
I had a 2000 Impala that did the same thing.
This worked!!! Thank you
Hey I noticed that you don’t have your analysis of auction scam vehicles videos on your playlist. I was hoping to go a trip down memory lane.
I do recall that GM had a recall on the ignition switch. Don't remember what the reason was for it.
They made you new keys, not this issue.
That issue was AFTER the Grand Ams were discontinued. GM cheaped out on ignition switches. End result was the faulty switch would cause your brakes and steering to go out by intermittently shutting the car off while driving it. This is a completely different issue from what Scotty is explaining.
@@vehcorif I remember correctly, only certain vehicles got completely new ignition switches (Chevy Cobalt, Saturn Ion, Pontiac G6, Chevy HHR) everything else except for the BOF trucks, SUVs and the Aveo (which weren’t affected at all) had plugs installed into the original factory keys to significantly reduce the size of the key ring hole, as well as GM recommended that owners remove all keys unrelated to the vehicle so there was no chance for the problem to occur again.
My 1999 grand am has this issue but the security light does not come on, i'm wondering would it be this dame fix for it???
Good tip Scott ! Thank you .
I'm waiting for the comments saying how your insurance will be canceled for doing this. As if anybody still carries comp on their old GA.
Great tip thanks Scott
my grand prix is doing this will it work on my Grand Prix too?
If the security light stays solid what would that mean? I have no crank on my car.
Thx for doing this and sharing. 👍👍👍👍👍
So weird that my resistors, to do exactly this, show up the same day you post it.
Kool,learned something new,what if I have same problem on same year range ,full size Chevrolet truck.just curious great little tutorial .good video as always 👍👍👍😎😎😎
After doing your trick the light stays on and don't flash could I have done something wrong? Thanks
Title Champ!
That kick panel looks like it has had a few kicks for sure.
Nicely done sir.
I bought mine without a security system and it still does this any tips ?
Thanks Scott!!
Oh that damn pass lock
🥉 good for mechanics, bad for owners. 😂
4:27 1 2 3 4 5 6, now you're just showing off! ;-)
I had to count from one because I can’t count backwards from a number higher than 10. 😂
@@vehcor ah, I see what you did there, sneaky!! hahaha
@@vehcor funny story for you: when I worked in a cabinet shop, the boss brought in some co-op trade school students to learn.
Ok buddy, how wide is that cabinet?
23 and 6 tickies.
me: excuse me?
23 and 6 tickies
WHat in the holy hell is a tickie?
he points to the 1/16" marks on a tape measure.
it was at that moment I knew my life was going to be hell for the next 3 months lol
So doing a quick jumper wire between terminals doesnt work
Those things were so notorious for ignition locks....
My Mom had an Alero.... Lock cylinder went out, refused to start. Local shop wouldn't touch it, had to take it to the dealer.....
I wish I had known.... But, on your Mom's car, you tend to lean towards doing the right thing.... It avoids a lot of follow up phone calls....
Drove me nuts at the time... The thing would start fine, and then out of the blue, not start.....
When they were new, I replaced a lot of ignition locks. As they got older, the bypass was the permanent solution as well as cheap!
interesting. i never knew this. thanks
Nice fix. 👍
I have a problem I did what you showed and the security light still won't go off so the car won't start it's a 2000 Bonneville
Please help, I can't find this resister. What exactly am I needing to get?
Hi, CRITICAL q; you said PK2---- WILL THIS WORK ON PK3 ?? I have done this resistor trick on a 1995 Bonneville, jfyi THANKS ! ERW
thanks for this info. your tha man.
Interesting, and good to know.
Was just wondering if you have a brother in the showbiz the bald headed guy on flash point y’all look a lot alike
The resistor is 1000-13000 at what wattage?
My guy. Pontiac will never die. But my fingers always black 😂
What if my light isn’t blinking and not starting
Will this also work with a Buick? Thanks Scott
Yes, later 90s to mid 2000s. Anything with the passlock 2 system.
Oh man that sweet Grand Am is mine now ( evil sinister laugh )
thanks
Hey Scott. Did you want that Grand Am near me or was it too trashed?
Too trashed, I have been buying a bunch of low mile ones for scrap value lately. Thanks for thinking of me though!
@@vehcor No problem! I’m sure we’ll find something eventually.
You keep saying "program" it.. but what did you do to program it? Did you simply let it set there with the key on for the 10 mins to reset? How does that reprogram it? I'm not exactly sure what it's doing when it resets or "reprograms" itself. I don't' get. lol
What’s that white stuff on that car?
Snow and it was the first time this car ever saw it. It survived 20 years rustfree, now it starts its slow rusty death! 😢
@@vehcor I guess that it is that time of year!
great info , thanks
my brother has a 2000 chevy van im not sure exactly what kind, but will this same process work for him on his van
his van is a 2000 chevy Express van
Yes
thank you
How do you keep getting this I’m surprised this grand ams are still around 😅
I have bought quite a few in the last week. I keep trying to find a nice winter car but people keep buying them.
I want to find one of these... Survivor with low miles
I have them all