Originally in January 2015, my car tried to start but would not turn over. Had it towed to a station, Serpentine Belt was replaced, remove and install steering gear (complete), power steering flush, kit and other problems they did not think were related to the starting problem were performed... brakes, front rotors, RMN Complete Rack Assy, outer tie rod end, sway bar link kit, all to equal $1,164.35.

The problem of not starting was linked to the security system. They told me it was taken out of theft mode, which I did not see it on theft mode on the panel??

Last night, I went to another town, tried to start and the car is doing the same thing that mechanics thought was fixed. Asked several different people to jump me, then offered $20.00 and one gentleman tried to jump it but no luck. He took me home since I had exhausted my options of friends and family on a Saturday night. This was actually not a smart move for a woman to accept a ride with a complete stranger but it was getting dark and walking would have taken me 2 - 3 hours.

Since I don't want another tow bill, tried typing in Google and found this site. My plan is to find a ride back to the other town and try the acc for 10 min, off for 10 - 20 seconds to see if it will work. If not, guess I pay for a tow so it is not impounded, then try the new key from dealer.

In my car on break from work, go to leave and won't start? I wait and try it again, turns over just will not start? Got a ride back to work, 2 hours later tried it again. Turns over but will not start? Can hear fuel pump working, quarter tank of gas? We try giving it a jump, still does not start. Changed spark plugs, added more gas?

Next day went back to car and it was gone, impounded! $329 dollar cash to push my car out of impound lot onto street. Changed fuel, still does not start? Turns out I had Emergency Road Side Assistance on my car insurance policy. Get car towed home - no cost. Had 2 mechanic's trying to help me, the one suggests a new ignition and key. I now have $40 to my call auto part store $163.99 for new ignition.

Now in tears I go to the internet do search for 2001 Alero and find this site. I tried it, key on for 10 minutes. Waited 30 seconds and it worked!!! My car started!! I drove it to the store, turned it off, Came out 15 minutes later and it started again! It works and I am so grateful for this site and reading about how to reset pass code!

THANK YOU!

I want to thank all who have posted before me. I hope to update later with results after trying each of these suggestions. I drove my car to work, it sat for 7 hours, drove my car into the next county to have dinner, wouldn't start. I have had this car for three years, has low mileage, my grandmother was the first and only owner. My grandpa (may he RIP) took great care of this car to ensure I had a safe reliable vehicle to drive while I was over 600 miles away from home. NOW THIS! I am a struggling person and cannot afford to replace a fuel pump, so I hope it is just the security bypass problem or something I can temp fix until I am in a better financial situation. Now, on that note, I hope no one else will buy this vehicle EVER as I see that it is a continuous problem all over the U.S. and elsewhere. GM should recall this reoccurring issue and take care of business. At least Honda advertised and did the right thing in the safety recall of brakes was it? Anyway, I hope to post back with the results and maybe something positive to say about my car (which I once loved)

I bought this car or m 16 year old daughter. A mechanic did the 100 point inspection and the only thing they found was the car needed new rotors and brakes. Now, 3 months into owning this car, it decides when to start.

Yesterday, there were heat advisories, with the temp over 100 degrees. The car is still in a parking lot, since yesterday morning, because it won't start. It sounds like it wants to.

I ran a diagnostic on the car and no codes were found. Very frustrating! Very scarey to think my daughter may get stranded when she is at work or out with friends. The sad part is, I did not see this site before I bought the car. Otherwise, I would have passed on this clean and "reliable" car!

I BOUGHT MY 2001 OLDS ALERO IN 2006 . I HAVE HAD A FEW THINGS FIXED ON THE CAR BUT NOTHING MAJOR UNTIL A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.One morning I went to start my car to go to work and it would crank over but would not start. I would try several times but no luck. I told my husband to see what he thought was wrong. He couldnt get it to start either so he went next door to get the neighbor who is the next best thing to a mechanic but he also was not sure , so my husband went to the parts store and between the 2 of them put a fuel pump on and fuel filter. After all that it still would not start. Frustrated to say the least my husband borrowed the neighbors car trailer and hauled it to another local mechanic . The next day the local mechanic called my husband to tell him that when he went out to start the car just to see if it would and lo and behold it did and ran for the next month in a half with no problem other that taking a couple of times it might take a couple of times taking the key in and out to start. Then one night I stopped at the gas station to put about 5 gallons of gas in and the next morning ..car would crank over but would not start .So I went to my computer and found this website and read several stories with almost the same problems as what I have had. Lucky for me I found for now a definte underlying problem and it has something to do with the flashing security light/ I did what one person on this site said to try and it worked..Turn the key to acc wait about 10 mins if the security light stays on and is flashing more than likely that is where the problem stems from and is a security issue . After 10 mins it stopped so I pulled the key out and waited 10 to 20 seconds and put the key back in to start and it started right up. Now I just have to find a mechanic that can fix the problem , whether it be a sensor or a fuse or a new passlock assebly ..I am not sure and if anyone on here would happen to know please feel free to let me know because just finding this website helped me immensely . ALso when I bought the car it was used and did not come with a key that has a automatic unlock and lock , it came with just a key.

so, i know all about the damn PASSLOCK crap!! ive been doing it for about a year now, well i went to the store at 12:30a.m. car ran great i get home go to bed get up it won't start so i think oh no big deal just the dam security bullshit well this time my light isn't staying on like it did the other times, so i tried it anyways, well that hasn't worked we've been outside for hours trying to fix the problem. i tried un hooking the battery, checked my fuel line, (barely anything) and i can hear my pump kick on but it won't turn over/start. it sounds like its close and it'll fire for just a second and then she'll die out trying to hit the gas doesn't keep it going either, im dumb founded what should i do wait longer in the ACC or on the ON position? idk what to do i've put 1400 in this car its has a new coil, plugs, new aic sensor, map sensor, air filter, oil change, tranny flush, radiator flush, new struts, brakes, rodors, wheel barrons, ty-rods. this is not a minor problem these systems aren't replaced cuz there not a road hazard, and thats a load of crap!! cuz being stranded with children in -20 degree weather with no money, no way to tow, or phone to call anyone is a big deal to the people it happens too! if gm was any type of car manufacturer, they would fix this problem so there wouldn't be thousands of complaints making them look like sh*t on line!! they should know this has discouraged me from any further purchases from them as well as my family, friends, mechanics and extended family! good luck to u all if theres anything u can think of for to fix this let me know!! please!! (obviously get a diff car is number one ) but i have 3500 tied up in this car and this sh*t shouldn't happen i'm good to all my vehicles! PLEASE READ AND HELP!!

1st off I wanted to say thanks to the people that took the time to report or post this issue.

I drove my car home 2 weeks ago and come morning time for work it wouldn't start. I knew it was the fuel pump after I paid 5 bucks for starter fluid and it started up. well, 250 for a fuel pump wasn't in the cards at the time. I borrowed cars,got rides etc. well the fuel pump was turning on, the gas tank vibrated when the key was turned on. OK, now its something else or is it a firing issue. why does it start with starting fluid still? now I have to ask my buddy for help , rent a fuel pressure gauge, check prices on numerous parts and I still don't know the real problem. OK, my buddy has to ask some real mechanics and we are now going to scan for hidden codes that didn't pop up. he runs home to get his scanner and I go to return the fuel pressure gauge. I now google this car and I end up here. to my amazement I see the complaints and very similar symptoms. I know it can't be as easy as turning the key to the on position for 10 minutes and then off for 30 seconds. WOW! my car starts right up when this process is done.

I will let you all decide on who is doing what and charging us what. its bullsht honestly and all of us get bent over unless of course u have taken the time to do any research. I was stumped and I dont know a single person who has heard of this. I bet oldsmobile and not to mention GM knows this and its ironic it happens out of warranty. read these posts and look at the costs , the time, the headaches and not to mention the time off work taken to get your car fixed. I could go on and on about this but you can do the math. WE ARE GETN RIPPED OFF ON A DAILY FOR THIS SHT!

I don't understand a car like this can have so many problems when you continually have all this happening.....oil pressure switch 2 weeks ago now i have the fuel pump and ignition changed....This is not a problem that I expected from a high class GM maker...Gm has to make a recall on this regardless of what they think is right. Thank you so much for your complaint online so I could best understand what was going on with my vehicle....My mechanic said that you can wait 10 minutes after your securtiy light has come on and then restart or recrank your engine....Is this f...in stupid or what??????Time and money......People please call gm and tell them about this problem.......

My daughter came to visit at my job in the hospital. She parked in the parking garage with her sister, brother and her 4 month old son. She went back out to her car and it would start. Her dad was able to get a friend tow the car from the parking garage home. We had to share 1 car for 4 people to get to work every day. It took a lot of planning and back tracking of driving since we all work at different times and places.

Her dad replaced the fuel pump thinking that was the problem, she had 3/4 tank of gas he had to drain. After that the car still did not start. He replaced the fuel filter and it still didn't start. Thanks to this website we were able fix the problem with the security light bypass.

I agree I think GM should recall this car for this problem.

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THE KEY I WAS USING FOR THE CAR WAS AN AFTER MARKET KEY. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND GOT THE CORRECT KEY AND THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. MY SISTERS BOYFRIEND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND SHE TOLD ME THAT HE WENT AND GOT THE ORIGINAL KEY FROM THE DEALER AND HIS CAR STARTED RIGHT UP AND I TRIED THE SAME THING AND IT WORKED FOR ME. I PAID $15 FOR THE KEY. THEY TRIED TO TELL ME THAT I NEEDED TO PROGRAM THE KEY FOR $150 OR I NEED TO CHANGE SOMETHING IN THE IGNITION FOR A LITTLE OVER $400. IF GETTING A NEW KEY WORKS YOU CAN THANK ME BY SENDING ME $5 BUCKS IN AND ENVELOPE TO:

N. THOMPSON 120-02 SUTPHIN BLVD. #D-302 JAMAICA NY 11434

I have 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. it has stalled on me over three times. I have had it towed to the mechanic and the car has started once there with no problem. The third time it stalled I ended up paying $800 dollars to get it repaired. the car is now at the mechanic and he can't seem to fix it. Reading the complaints on this site, this is unacceptable and someone needs to be held accountable. Please make complaints to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration they can authorize the recall but they need enough complaints - the number is 800 424-9393. also make complaints to the better business bureau at 800 955-5100.

MY 2001 Oldsmobile Alero would turn over but wouldn't start. First we tried to reset the Passlock system (Goggle it) which is a common fix before you bring it to a dealer, but that didn't work. So I went online and an experienced mechanic had left a post explaining that sometimes the fuel pump on the Alero sticks. His advice was to pound on the gas tank while someone else turns the engine over. After a few seconds of this the car started right up and it's running fine now. Gotta love those experienced mechanics and their posts!!!!

i went to my car the other day and started it. It started to buck, and jerk name it then 3 sec later it ran great no problem then today i went to work came out wont start just cranking over like no gas or something then i kept my foot on the gas turned it over and ran great all night will i delevered my newspapers. about 2 hours ran great then got home turned it off and the fu..ing car wont start can you or anybody have a idea what it can be email me at craig10167@aol.com or call 570-466-3439 love to find out since i see alot of the same problems of sort ty

Bought this p.o.s. two years ago so far i've had to reprogram the pcm because it would drain the battery. Well now the security light will come on from time to time never noticed it flashing before cranking though, anyway drove it 60 miles north to the job site one morning drove it from place to place at work that day let it sit for about 2 hours before it was time to go home got in it to start it and it wouldn't hit just crank like crazy. Without haveing all the tools i took off the air filter cover squirted starting fluid in just to see if i had spark and sure enough it would run on either. So then i went over to the other side and took off the cap for the check point on fuel pressure and pushed in the valve stem to check for fuel pressure and without a gauge it seemed to have all kinds of pressure.

After messing with it for an hour and being very tired from work any how I bummed a ride home with another guy. The next day took the wifes car hoping that it would start and I could just drive it home but it still didn't start, so on the next day drove my pickup with trailer had 2 guys i work with help me push it on, after loaded i went to roll up the window and i though what the hell tried starting and it fired right up and run perfect. How in the @#!% do you diagnose the problem now seriously considered not tieing it down to the trailer and seeing if i could lose it on the way home my construction insurance would probably cover it. So after all that i left it running on the way home for an hour on the trailer hopeing it would @#!% up again and die or something it didn't. Not taking it any where till i figure out problem may trade while still running. I called gm and they said speaking for oldsmobile they're sorry they ever made that car, WHAT THE @#!% kind of answer is that?

My Alero wouldn't start today. The last time it happened, I had it towed to a Pep Boys and they told me it was a security feature that kept fuel from pumping into the engine. They didn't tell me exactly how they fixed it, but I was satisfied at tihe time.

Today, I got on the net searching for "Oldsmobile Alero Security" and Pep Boys phone number at the same time. I found the answer was to turn the ignition on for 10 minutes at which time the security light stops flashing. Turn the car off and then it starts up again! and for free! and without the worry of having to cut a yellow wire and wonder what exactly will happen!

Thank you interweb!

This car was purchased from my sister who was the original owner. I know that there was never an issue with this before but yesterday the damn piece of crap would not start, it would just sit there and crank over and over, but would not run. i read on here about leaving the key in the ACC. position for like ten minutes shutting the car off and removing the key for 30 seconds then trying to restart by cranking the key and hitting the gas pedal once and the thing started right up. I had been messing with this all day yesterday and it was not doing anything, not sure why but the key to the acc position trick worked and saved me a trip to the garage and a bill I could not afford at the time.

Thankfully I was at home when my problem occurred. I tried to start the car and it just wouldn't start. I had a few male counterparts take a look and we all agreed that maybe the fuel filter was clogged or maybe the fuel pump wasn't working. I bought a fuel filter and installed it, but I still had the problem. I didn't have the $250 to buy a new fuel pump and was hoping for an easier fix so I went online to research what to do with the pressure regulator to see if that might be easier than dropping the fuel tank. WELL, thank you all for finding the easy fix and posting it on this site. I saw that many people had had the same problem and fixed it with the twist of a key a short wait (10 minutes) and poof my car was back on the road. I just wanted to say thank you.

this alero is a good car we have the 2.4 liter engine,(the v-6 is junk) but we have had bad problems with the passlock theft system.let me caution you people its a waste of time to change the fuel pump,computer brain(ecm,pcm) ect..this car should have a recall on the theft system(pas loc) its clear gm knew of this problem because the owners manual gives you the way to override the system with a 10 min.wait. the problem seems to be the key switch which is a easy fix to replace it , but the security system has to be recoded @ a dealer,$$$$,i am gonna try the cutting the yellow wire as the last gent.did..my daughter drives this to college and work everyday,i am tired of her having to wait on this loout feature to reset because today it left her 1 mile from school and would not reset,so im sure after it sets it will start,but i am gonna go to the car and unhook the battery to reset the computer,then hook the it back up and do the 10 min.wait deal to get it started,this weekend i am gonna try the cutting of the yellow wire,but i will take the bulb out of the security light instead of putting tape over it,will let you know if this works..

its a shame gm will not own up to this and even worse the dealers always seem to want to replace the fuel pump,i had the fuel pump go out in my gmc z-71,they wanted to replace it for 800 dollars,haha,did it myself for 130 dollars and 3 hours work.gm dealers know of this problem and what it is they are making good money off this deal,every alero needs to have a recall on the ign.swith and key..and they wander why thier loosing sales....

I HATE THIS CAR!!! Since Aug it will turn over but will not start randomly! It leaves me stranded often and our mechanic does not want to try change the fuel pump until he knows that is the problem - after reading the 75 other complaints for the SAME THING we are now sure it is not the fuel pump but is an extremely annoying defect!!!!!!! I'm glad we haven't wasted much money trying to fix this thing if nothing seems to help! This is Ridiculous and I hate GM, hate American cars and we will NEVER buy one again!