1997 Grand Am Factory Alarm Issues
 

A friend of mine just picked up a '97 Grand Am to use as a beater, but there seems to be an issue with the security system. He said the car is 100% stock besides an aftermarket stereo head unit. About 1/2 the time he tries to start the car, the security light on the dash blinks, and he has to leave the key in the ignition, turned to the run position for about 10 minutes. That resets something, and then the security light will stop flashing and stay lit, and he can then start the car.

Any idea what might be causing this, and how it can be fixed?

- Justin

I've replaced a good amount of Ignition cylinders for that problem, mostly on the newer body style tho. The chip for the security system is part of the cylinder.

The new cylinders come uncoded, you will have to take the old one apart to get the sequence of the tumblers (unless you know how to read the key). After you replace it you will need to do the 10 min relearn again.

Ahh, so the electronics in the ign. cylinder are likely going bad?

Thanks for the info.

- Justin

can you scan the bcm?

There is a possibility that it could be another component causing problems (IPC, wiring, ignition switch) but in my experience all of the Grand Ams I've had with those symptoms have turned out to be the VATs chip in the Ignition cylinder. They seem to be intermittent too. I've done just the 10 min relearn for a few customers that couldn't afford to have it fixed but then they just come back for the same problem in a few days/weeks.

If you need help reading codes or setting up tumblers let me know.

Does this car the "chip" (really a resistor) in the key?

No, no chip in the key. That was one of the first things I asked my friend when he told me about the issue.

Would a snap on solus scan tool have access to the BCM? My old man has one if that's the case....

- Justin

is that the "brick"? if so, i don't think it does. its been awhile since i've used one so i can't be 100% on that.

http://www.pten.com/images/article/1...ssentials9.jpg

It's their new one...not the brick with the one wheel control.

- Justin

thats the modus. the solus is the new model. sounds like the bcm is the problem. these grand am's and other gm fwd vehicles from the era have a problem with water entering through the firewall area/cowl due to poor sealant. i would check there first.

here is an interesting read that might help you a bit


http://www.bergerweb.net/grandamsecurityfix.htm

Grand Am's up until '98 used the IPC for the VATs system. '99 and up went to the BCM setup.

this i was unsure of, thanks for posting it up.