8.1
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $260
- Average Mileage:
- 107,050 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 40 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- not sure (31 reports)
- just bypass the pass lock (4 reports)
- turn key and wait 10 minutes (3 reports)
- new key (1 reports)
- take apart and clean ignition (1 reports)
electrical problem
Helpful websites
- 2000 Grand Am Passlock - THESE CARS are junk!! BUT, if you want this problem fixed once and for all...read this...after months of investigation!!!!
- Passlock/VATS Bypass - This site sells a part that will bypass your defective passlock system. You are not alone because many many people have been kept out of thier OWN cars because of this defective system. This part helps bypass the whole system so you never have trouble again.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The passlock system has been a real pain and i already replaced the cylinder once already and contrary to what the manual states, leave the key in the run position for 10 minutes won't work as i did that and try starting my car again but the light comes on again. This is mostly related to leaving the key in the ignition or switching back and forth from ACC to run and so forth. The easiest way to fix this problem is to bypass the security system.
I recently installed a security system/remote start which automatically bypasses the passlock system if you use the remote start. Eventually i may have to either have the cylinder lock cleaned or replaced. Sometimes though i become absent minded and use the key which sets off the security light, like at this one time i was at a gas station and had to wait the 10 minutes because i used the key instead of the remote start. Additionally the only way to reset it is to try to set it off and wait the 10 minutes so if you do accidently start your car you got one or two shots before your car is dead for 10 minutes.
The worst part is GM won't replace the cylinder lock but they complain about an unintended key rotation recall. They do something else to prevent the key from rotating by gluing the key ring to the key which doesn't make any sense because the key rotation could still happen. I love my car and GM but they are lousy with fixing known issues by fixing the issue so it doesn't break again. Ideally installing a switch that automatically overrides the passlock system is the best way to fix this issue as GM won't do it themselves. Finding someone who will do it for fairly cheap is another story. But it's better than replacing the cylinder which may be a problem again down the road.
- midnightdistort, Chicago, IL, US