1st May 2005, 13:44

If the security light is blinking, the car won't start, and your lights all work... It may be that you set off the security on the car, which is an anti-theft system on the car. I have done this 2 times. It causes the starter to lock up due to turning the key too fast while trying to start the car. The key has a code, which gets scrambled because the computer did not have time to read the code...

How to fix it:

Turn the key to the on position for about 15 minutes.

After the 15 minutes, turn it directly to start. If it doesn't start, turn it to the off position, then directly to start. If this doesn't work, you may have other problems with the car.

1st May 2006, 08:45

I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM it has only 16500 miles on it. And I bought it with 15.540 miles. After buying the car, the car won't start or it stops while driving, I had it at the dealer, but they said that they couldn't find anything so they gave it back. Now the car won't start up again, and Its there again. Did anybody else have this kind of problem? I also checked Carfax and the car's history is clean.

1st May 2006, 15:24

The car not starting probably has something to do with the anti-theft system. Contact your dealership and ask them to look at the PASSLOCK system. I hope this helps.

7th Aug 2006, 13:23

I purchased my 2003 Grand Am in Feb. 2006. I also have had the same problem with the security light coming on and the car not starting. This happened 3 times. I had to take the car to a Pontiac dealership. The problem was fixed $490.00 later. Also having problems with the interior dome light not working all of the time.

5th Jun 2007, 12:21

My Grand AM has not been starting for the last 2 years. the security light blinks, and I have to leave the key in the ignition for 10 minutes and then it starts. after this happened to me 8 times in the last 10 days, it is now in the garage being fixed. I was told the ignition switch has to be changed, and they will see if that fixes the problem. this will cost me at least 250.00, and from what I have read, is not a guaranteed fix. when I contacted GMC they were no help, in fact it was useless to even waste my time calling them. I've been looking at the Mazda's and if this fix doesn't work this POS will be gone!

10th Aug 2007, 08:07

I think what needs to be done to prevent the security issue is when you put the key into the ignition, put the car to the "on" position and allow the dash lights and radio to come on first then start the car. When the car is turned on right away, it triggers the security code to "jumble" the code and it is preventing the car from starting. By allowing the dash lights and radio to come on first, this will allow the security system to set itself. I've been doing this and have had no problems.

15th Aug 2007, 14:56

I go to turn my Grand Am 1997 coupe off and the key gets stuck, but sometimes I turn the wheel and it comes out, but not all the time. Other times I turn the car back on and switch gears; then it comes out, but sometimes it still doesn't comes out.

Anyone have a clue on what's going on?

29th Aug 2007, 01:42

My car flat out doesn't work!! how do you build an anti theft system... that keeps the owner out?!? Don't BUY GRAND AMS! period! and now the dealer is charging me for soooooo many new parts when all I need is the system restored. Theyre asking for more (on repairs) than I bought it 4. Might I add that I've had it for over a year and this problem just started.

15th Oct 2007, 16:44

I purchased a 2003 Grand Am with 37,000 miles less than a year ago. I just had the problem with the Pass lock and the car not starting. I did the 10 min reset thing and it started. But, now the security light stays on constantly and the following items do not work: automatic headlamps, dome light, automatic trunk button and the remote key door lock.

I am seeing all a lot of discussion about this pass lock and feel that GM should be doing a recall. There are too many complaints on this.

23rd Oct 2007, 08:56

I bought my 1997 Pontiac Grand Am in Feb 2007. It was used with 160,000 miles on it. It ran great the first 6 months, but the last couple of weeks it has given me nightmares. If I brake suddenly (woman pulled out in front of me) it completely dies, lights flash on instrument panel, car loses power, locks the keys on place and I have to wait for someone to come and jump my car before it will run again. It did this to me last night and it seems to have something to do with the anti-theft system and the brakes. All systems go haywire and I can't remove my keys until the battery is jumped.

I have owned 4 Grand Am's and this by far is the worst. Just this morning I heard that GM was the number 1 auto manufacturer for 2007 and has been for the past 76 years. Is it because their cars are so cheap to begin with and the money they make is usually for costly and unnecessary repairs after the car rolls off the dealers lot?? Makes me wonder. After all these posts and your honesty, I will not own another one.

22nd Nov 2007, 21:25

After reading everyone's comments I feel a little better about my situation. In my 2000 Grand Am, I started having trouble in the summer just here & there, noticing the security light would come on (steadily) while driving, but nothing really seemed to change. Then every once in a while, I would put the key in and nothing - just that flashing security light. It used to happen sparingly, but now it has happened three times in the last two weeks (of course when I have to be somewhere).

I HATE IT. I have never been angrier with a car in my whole life. How has everyone's end results been... what would be my best bet to fix to get this crappy thing fixed. Try putting the key in slower sometimes? And what does the steady security light mean, that happens a lot more often now too when I'm driving.

26th Jan 2008, 12:44

I too bought a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am that will not start because of the Passlock system. I just spent $180.00 replacing the battery and today my car would not start. I have not tried the 10 minute tip, but I will. I don't have a warranty on my car either, so I am concerned about long term problems resulting in lots of money spent. I agree that with as many issues these cars are having with the security system, there should be some time of recall.