16th Sep 2008, 10:02

I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am with 150,000 miles. Great car, but the security light came on & now it won't start. Any suggestions? Never had any problems with it, until now.

11th Nov 2008, 13:12

We recently bought 2003 Pontiac Grand Am. After about 5 weeks we started having problems. Went to leave a friends house and it would not start; had to take it to two different GM certified dealers to fix. They say it was the PCM, the computer. $800 dollars and two weeks later, same problem, now they are saying it is the security system after all and cannot quote me a price. It really sucks because in these cars you can have the security disabled.

NEVER WILL BY ANOTHER GM AGAIN. We are currently waiting once again to get it fixed, they have no idea for sure what is wrong, or when they will have it done. Thanks for nothing GM!!!

3rd Dec 2008, 18:51

I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am and just had the "security" issue happen to me. I checked the battery, the starter, and all the fuses and since all that stuff was good I started doing some research. Luckily I came across this message board and was able to do the "wait 15 minutes" and the car started right up. From the sounds of it though my problems probably aren't over. At least now I know what to do when I get stranded somewhere. Today only cost me a days work, I guess I'll consider myself lucky. Thanks to everyone that left information about the problem. It saved me a lot of money and time.

14th Jan 2009, 11:51

Try going to this link. I have the same problem with my car not starting, and was told it had to do with my remote starter. After reading all of these, I believe it is the Passlock.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0f6220/0

Look at postings 21, 22 & 23 as well as #504.

I am going to have my husband do mine this weekend. If it works, I will let you know.

25th Mar 2009, 17:01

I just had this happen to me yesterday after getting to my child care provider's home to get my kids. We all got into the car, and I went to start it and noticed it wasn't going the way it should. I thought "Oh No!", and no one around could figure it out either. I got a tow to get it home, and today took it in... $280 for a security system glitch. Now that I have read about others having this same problem... I am worried. Security is nice, but come on... all these comments about this happening... something needs to be done.

26th Mar 2009, 20:33

Thank you 11:51 for this information. We all appreciate it. I haven't had this issue yet, but it's nice to know about possible fixes.

12th Jun 2009, 13:01

I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM SE1 and today I had the first problem with the car not starting.

I got a ride home from work, went on-line, found this site, got a ride back to work, did the "15 minute wait" (it ended up being a ten minute wait only, but then the car started up fine.

Thanks for posting the tips - saved me the cost of a tow.

30th Jul 2009, 07:10

I just recently purchased a 2005 Grand Am. My keys got stuck in the ignition about three months after I had bought it. I took it to the dealership to be fixed, they said something about my shifter stick being too long, blah blah. Anyhow, the total was around $460 to fix it, luckily I had a bit of a warranty left and only had to pay $100. Now it's about two and a half months later, I'm having the same issue. I arrived at work last night, couldn't get my keys out... Worked, drove home, obviously had to leave my keys in the ignition, woke up, and my battery is drained... This issue is irritating me... what do I do?

1st Aug 2009, 00:01

Next time the keys stick in the ignition, try holding the shifter and putting a little pressure on it in one direction and then the next as you try to turn the key. There is a rod that locks the ignition when the car is in park. Sometimes it can stick and you can get the keys to release by shoving the shifter a little backward or forward as you turn the key. LOTS OF LUCK!!

5th Oct 2009, 10:25

So far what I've learned when the security light is flashing, the car won't start. Well my dealership told me that when you stick your key in and try and start it, it would send an electric signal to the key and back to the computer. Now this is important, you can't have any electrical devices within an inch and a half away from the key cylinder, because it mixes the signal with the keyless entry system, and will cause your security light to illuminate and car not start.

Love my 2003 Grand Am BTW...

30th Apr 2010, 20:19

Have had my 2003 Grand Am for about 6 years now. I've been stranded twice with the flashing security light issue. Luckily my fiance used to have a Grand Am and had the same issue, so I was able to wait the 15 minutes with the key on and avoid towing.

Yesterday, the security light decided to turn on while driving. I have made 4 different trips and the light turns on after a couple minutes every time. I hate having to pray when I turn off my car that it will start the next time I need it to! But otherwise, it has been a good car for me.

5th May 2010, 23:49

I have a 2003 Grand Am. Yesterday, my car wouldn't start because of the security issue. This is the 6th time this has happened in the last 3 1/2 years. I have finally decided to trade it in. My nightmare will finally be over!

11th May 2010, 10:37

I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am SE1, which had I been able to get it to start today, would have hit 200,000 miles on my way to work. It has almost all original parts and has been a great car. I am going to try this when I get home. Thank you for the suggestion!

4th Jul 2010, 13:22

Well I own a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am. My security light was on when I bought the car about two weeks ago, and my car wouldn't start yesterday. So my boyfriend looked at it and said it was a security issue. Today I turned my car to the on position, waited 15 minutes and turned it off then started it. Now my security light is off and it runs great. I love it!