QuestionQUESTION: I own a 1996 STS vin 9. I put a trans in the car, axles, radiator, the day I bought it. I drove it 500 miles (flawless), and the car started to have issues starting...like the starter was getting hung up. I replaced the starter & upper intake (had one sitting in better cond) but to no avail the car does not start. A few times prior to replacement of the starter I was able to coax it to start by rocking it...hence changing the starter. I now have the security light on when the key is not on, and the lights P-R-N-D-2-1 flash constantly plus the Theft system message on the dash is on. I got nothing here. The lights on the actual shifter do not come on to show which gear it is in. I replaced the ignition key and tumbler with a factory correct replacement, still to no avail the car does not start. I did pull a list of codes, mostly PZ (bcm) yet have no idea what to do with them. I am totally broke because of this episode, and cannot afford to pay for school as well as more repairs. I am hoping you can shed some light on this for me. I will include my e-mail addy or cell phone for anyone who has the ability to help.
ANSWER: What CODES did you get ?
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QUESTION: Current: IP 1910 IP 2750, PZ 2042 PZ 2255
History: PZ 1552,1558,2016,2056,2096,2152,2470,2471,2473,2719
Since I sent you the 1st e-mail, I got under the car to place a new front passenger brake line in its tie downs, and when I moved it, it contacted metal and I heard the fuel pump click on (key was in run position). Low and behold, it turned off the security system when there was contact from the FR brakeline to any groundable area. Now I have a new problem...finding a ground or short that is somehow in the line. At no point does the brakeline come in contact with any wire anywhere on the car. I do very clean & neat work. I tried to crank the car with that FR line grounded, and the brakeline got hot (so I immed stopped) but the Security issue is gone providing that line grounds on something. Unless the ABS unit has a default and is sending current thru the brake line I cannot see how this is happening (it would explain the burst brake lines out of no-where). All ground straps are in place, no wire harness is open or broken either. All work I have done is by the book, using my 97 STS as a template (in conjunction with Haynes & various diagrams). I noticed that the alternator was only charging at 11.5-12.0 (per Dashboard info) with the car running (last time it ran) but the car stayed running and the lights were not dim as expected from such a low charge. I am going to replace the alternator tonight. On that note, there seems to be a draw on the battery, and on occasion....even on 2 amp or 12 amp charge, it jumps to 15.5 and maintains that charge for 10-15 mins before dropping as low as 11.1 before returning to a COMPLETE charge of 13.2 ...
AnswerIP1910 = Alternator "L" terminal open circuit problem.
IP2750 = PASS-KEY data communication malfunction.
PZ2042 = Loss of automatic braking system /Traction control system serial communications.
PZ2255 = Loss of Serial data in instrument panel cluster.
Between all the CURRENT codes and the HISTORY codes you missed a ground on the engine somewhere. Check for the 2 black ground wires that come together and attach to the backside of the engine block where the passengers axle shaft comes out of the transmission.
You need to CLEAR (erase) ALL these codes and see which ones return AFTER you find your missing ground.
