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1999 Monte Carlo wont start

cabledawg

cabledawg

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I"m pretty sure its the PASSkey system, but I want to see if anyone has another suggestion.

The car ran fine this morning, but after sitting for an hour, I came back out and it wouldnt start. The Security light comes on and I've read thats a bad thing. There is no crank and I'm pretty sure the battery is fine, so that leaves the PASSkey system as a suspect.

I just bought this car used so I dont have the owners manual, but I've read elsewhere that there is a way to either reset the system without a dealership or put it in some sort of "limp" mode that will allow the car to start and drive but is a hassle to do everytime. Unfortunately, the other website say to refer to the security section of my manual, the one I dont have. So I dont know what the non-intrusive fix is to get the car going again.

I also have a recipe to bypass the lock and key portions of the system but I want to save that for another day. I just need to get this car running again. My insurance isnt going to be ahppy if I ask for yet another tow (the two Burbs are already broke down) and my neighbors arent going to be happy to see another vehicle just sit in the driveway until warmer weather.

Thanks in adavance!
 
Well I checked the key and lock cylinder. That part of the PASSkey system seems to work. I get 11.8 ohms which matches key code 15. I also checked the battery and its at 12.1 volts, so it isnt a low battery issue. Basically, the car wont turn over or start. Doesnt even try. Everything else comes up so at this point I can only guess its either the other part of the PASSkey system or the starter just died.

I hate newer technology...........
 
Hooking up a code reader and checking for existing or pending codes might be a good idea. You may also want to run a load test on the battery, it may show 12+ volts, but may not have the amperage necessary to do the job. I know when the first battery died on my Corvette it defaulted into security mode and wouldn't even try to start until I charged up the battery and reset the system. Check connections at the starter and solenoid, and your relays.

This may be helpful for you.

http://www.justanswer.com/uploads/Bluegorilla/2009-08-18_201320_Passlock_Relearn.pdf

http://www.justanswer.com/chevy/2fo1d-1999-monte-carlo-will-not-crank-turn-ignition-on.html
 
also try spare key that hardly ever gets used . sometimes the reg everyday key chip starts going bad . happened to a guy i know . been driving on other key no problems now .
 
The security light should come on or flash for about ten seconds or less then go out. If it stays on the trick for the pass key is to turn the key to the on position and wait about ten min. The security light will flash or stay on the entire time. When the security light goes out turn the key off then try to start. This trick should work on any gm vehicle were the ignition is located in the dash and not the colum.
 
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cabledawg said:
Well I checked the key and lock cylinder. That part of the PASSkey system seems to work. I get 11.8 ohms which matches key code 15. I also checked the battery and its at 12.1 volts, so it isnt a low battery issue. Basically, the car wont turn over or start. Doesnt even try. Everything else comes up so at this point I can only guess its either the other part of the PASSkey system or the starter just died.

I hate newer technology...........
Click to expand...

I just had the starter in my 96 Impala SS take a crap on me. I would attempt to start the car but the engine would not crank over although all lights, radio, and accessories worked. I ended up using my remote starter to discover that the stater was barely spinning and drawing a TON of amps.
 
earnett said:
The security light should come on or flash for about ten seconds or less then go out. If it stays on the trick for the pass key is to turn the key to the on position and wait about ten min. The security light will flash or stay on the entire time. When the security light goes out turn the key off then try to start. This trick should work on any gm vehicle were the ignition is located in the dash and not the colum. Also The pass key only prevents the fuel pump from coming on! The eng should still crank.
Click to expand...

You have much to learn about the PASSkey system my friend. :rolleyes:
 
Well I couldnt quite reach the starter terminals and most of the parts places were closed this morning so I couldnt get a new starter. I just had it towed to a shop close to the house. The car has been sitting in the gym parking lot and I'm afraid they'll have it towed if I dont get it out of there soon.

I'll let you guys know tuesday what the problem was if its anything but a bad starter.
 
My wife's impala does that from time to time. I usually just jiggle the **** out of the key and it works again for a few months.

I also made her take the 40 extra lbs of **** off her keychain. Pictures, trinkets, keychain flashlight, ect. That seemed to help the most
 
Yeah its not the key. I didnt get a spare when I bought the car, but the one I have seems to maintain enough contact through the whole range of motion. Once I get it back though I'm doing the key bypass conversion so I can just get standard keys and cylinders from the parts store and never have to worry about whether a stupid key is whats leaving me stranded somewhere.
 
Transmission Selector Solenoid was bad. The shop had to run a new wire to it, but even afterwards they discovered it was bad and replaced it anyways. I would have never though to check that and would have still been scratching my head trying to figure this one out. Even thier mechanic was baffled for a bit till he found the bad wire.

Friggin electronic crap................:doah:
 
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