If your 2000 – 2005 Grand Am, Malibu, Impala, Monte Carlo, Alero, or Intrigue engine cranks and turns over but will not start and run, especially on cold day…
Pontiac, Chevrolet, or Oldsmobile Won’t Start? How to Replace the Ignition Switch
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Chevrolet, ignition, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, replace, Start, Switch, Won't
- Categories: Oldsmobile
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Do Japanese cars have this problem? I’m guessing no.
As an additional note: air bag systems are STILL POWERED when the fuse is removed, as they have an emergency backup battery system. I would recommend that, to disable the air bag, use a 7mm socket to remove the bolts in the rear of the ‘bag, and then gently disconnect the yellow connector.
I am changing out the ignition switch & the ignition lock cylinder but the key that was left in the car doesn’t turn the cylinder at all so I can not remove the last wires & the cylinder. At can I do to get the wires out?? -Jackie
Check voltage on starter solenoid when trying to crank engine. Should jump to approx. +12 volts. If no voltage, check wires on starter relay, which is wired between ign. switch and starter. Both should jump to 12 volts when trying to crank. Check fuse between battery positive terminal and ignition switch. It is smaller wire; trace it from the positive battery terminal until you find fuse. Check it. That’s about it. Doingthis, you should be able to locate the problem.
What about when the car won’t crank at all I’m been threw 3 switches 2 starters and a new battery and still won’t crank double cheeked everything and its all 100%
When I heated the ignition switch, the car started. Check out our video on this: search on pontiac torch ignition.
how did you find out that the switch was the problem thanks
I am not sure, but from what I remember at the moment, this will not be a problem on the 2001 Grand Am.
I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am Gt. Car won’t start and I thought it was the fuel pump. I am gonna attempt to fix myself. My question is, when I disconnect the stereo, will that cause the theftlock to activate?
Click on the “Show More” button at the bottom of this page, Yo Yo. I posted an easy way to reset the anti-theft code, which could be the problem.
My 2001 Chevy Malibu Anti-theft light been on for a week car was running fine then all of a sudden today after I was done running errands and turned it off it wont start its dead tried to jump it didn’t work. My rpm gauge is on 5 for some reason…anybody know what this can possibly be…Please Help
Way to do it, Mnllxndr. Glad you pulled it off because it is pretty involved task.
So true, titsmcgee875. Most car problems can be caused by any number of defects.
Nice picture of you, DynastyQq9. If you can get the key out, put graphite powder on the key and work it into the keyhole. If not, try pulling your steering wheel hard in one direction, and then the other, as you try to work the key out.
Thanks for your replies to that question, sgthardy316 and TheDamrows.
Agreed, sgthardy316.
That is usually a bad key cylinder, where it is broken inside where the key goes, or a bad steering lock pawl, which connects the steering wheel to the ignition. You could try getting graphite powder, putting on the key, and moving it back and forth. There is a 1-in-10 chance that this will work.
Sorry about that. Let us know what they find.
Dude you rock. This was the problem on my mother in laws car. And I fixed it cheap cus of you. Mechanic wanted 400 to fix. I bought the part at ebay for 35 dollars and thats all it took. Thanx. You fucking rock
Not a bad thing. But dude just because it turns over doesn’t mean it’s ignition.
Mines want turn back in my 96 grand am..
So I got a question and need help please! Someone broke a key off in my 2000 Pontiac grand am and I had a locksmith come out and change my ignition cylinder but now I’ve but the ignition in and the car turns over but don’t fully start or dies and the security light won’t quit flashin what should I do
this is how to unscrew your car
I am glad you were able to fix it. Congrats on that.
Thanks for your help helpful instructions here, TheDamrows.
thank you for this video , it helped me alot and saved me from going crazy to fix the ignition switch .
I ordered just the lock cylinder, thanks for the video, now I know I need that switch too.
u may need to order a hole new ignition lock cylinder or try your back up key or even a normal key with out the chip in it that will work to turn it over a pig in the cylinder may have broke off
and give them your last 8 of your vin then they can order the senor for u will cost around $100 for this but the other security on the gm cars is the anti-theft so for that one your car will crank but not start like he said but u can reteach your car the key code by turning the key to start then let off so its on the run/on stop then wait 10 min turn to off then repeat 1 step for 11 min at 11 min turn to off again and try to start if it does not then repeat step 2 kk guys hope this helps.
Like he said u need to do that if your car cranks but does not start but gm also has what they call (passlock system) so if your car security light is on or blinking then u need to turn the key to the on or acc for 10-11 min or until the light goes off then turn key to off wait 5 sec and then start the car it will start every time but if u get tired of doing that then u need to order what they call a passlock sensor that goes on the ignition cylinder to order that u need to contact gm dealer
there should be a black little piece that you press up against with a phillips screw driver and the cylinder pops off the switch on my malibu its on the right wall of the cylinder it hides lol
its ALWAYS SAFER to disconnect the negative terminal on the battery FIRST not only for that airbag issue but everything else electricity wise
Okay i have a 2003 chevy malibu an the key will not turn at all an the steering wheel wont lock any suggestions