QuestionQUESTION: '96 Grand Am GT 3100. Periodically does not fire at certain outside temp range (20-30 degrees). Does not set any codes. Only cluster light on right side is oil when this happens. Space heater under dash for 10 Min- cluster normal and starts. Have replaced engine w/complete wiring harness, computer,ignition switch. Still the same. Then became occassional no start with key (same cluster symtoms) but did with remote. Once started, turn key to run and everything is fine. Deteriated over 5 years to only starts with remote starter. Then turn key to run and everything fine. Now starts w/remote, turn key to on and radio/wipers/etc function but shuts down with touch of the brake. Turn key just to run position and still cannot shift. Brake will not release button on the shifter. Turn off remote start switch and engine dies. Something in the brake/security system combo. I am so tired of this security system issue. Can I just get rid of the security system all together and if so how. Willing to bypass and leave theftsys light on as I have heard of. Afraid if I remove the remote start it will never run again. Any and all suggestions will be greatly aprreciated.
ANSWER: Hi Ben:
I think you have either a bad ignition switch or a bad power feed to the iginitioon switch meaning a feed with hig resistance in it. the remote starter has diferent power fees then the ignition switch does from the remote start hook up out into the car everything is the same to run the car so the only thing different is the ignition switch input VS your remote starter. good luck :)
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QUESTION: Thanks again for the quick respone! Fantastic!
OK. Your answer makes sense about the current problem. Still not sure it answers the periodic no start. Only when between 20-30 degrees outside. Will not start with key OR remote. When sitting in the car and using the remote to start on a normal day, all the cluster lights on the right side come on during the pre-start seconds. On the no start days, the only light on right side of cluster that comes on during pre-start is the oil light. No check engine, no theftsys, no anti-lock, no little red radiator. After space heater under dash, all cluster lights come back and everything functions normal. I have spoken with MANY techs about it. All are baffled by this.
On my current problem, Car is on a street downtown where it will get towed by the city. Need to move it. Going to try and nurse it home using the hand brake so I won't shut it down using the brake pedal. Problem is that I still cannot get it out of park, even when off and key turned to run. Going to take the console out and release the safety catch so I can shift. Any suggestions where to see/download a shift lever diagram?
Once again, I am highly impressed with your speedy and knowledgeable response before. First time that has ever happened and believe me, I have been on many help sites over the years. Some have never responded. Thank you for your timely help!
ANSWER: well it can still be power feed related. you need power to the shift lock solenoid that is in the bse of the shifter to get it out of gear. most of the time the issue with that ios the shifter it's self and not power feed related the contacts just go bad in the switch that is part of the lock out solenoid. You got me on the heat/vs cold. You could have an internal issue in the IPC assm. The IPC is the brains behind the factory anti-theft BUT if this car has a remote startewr the factor anti-theft is already bypassed so that is out of the equasion at least the input paert of the anti theft. The IPC sends an fo no go signal to the engine computer So again you could have an IPC that is bad and that is the route of the issue here. I would first start looking at the ignitin switch first and foremost. when it will not start use a digital volt meter and make sure all the fuses have battery volate at them (full) voltage not more the .25 less then what you read at the battery if you have less that you have a feed or supply issue to/from the ignition switch. all the modules on the car need full battery volatge or your going to get wierd things happening. the car modules are just like a PC garbage in you get garbage out. Good luck :)
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Ben, Jeana, and Woobs
QUESTION: Hey Todd. Thanks again for your support. Update and one more quick question.
OK. Removed shift knob and can reach in, push plastic shift lock mechanism, put in neutral, start with remote button, turn key and go using the hand brake so as not to kill it with the brake pedal.
In order to get it back home I will have to drive in heavy city traffic. Pretty unsafe with the hand brake.
Question: There must be a switch that works with the brake pedal for taillights and such. Is that accessable from under the dash so I could just unplug it and use the actual brake pedal? Or will unplugging it tell the remote start to shut down?
Progressing well enough with this problem, and almost at the point of getting it home. It is cold as all heck out, snowing and sloppy here in Grand forks ND. You have given me enough to go on as far as chasing down the problem once we get it here. I honestly appreciate your help in the diagnosis and with that info I can probably chase down the problem and repair/replace what is needed. Thank you soooooooo much for everything!
Ben Vageline
Answeryes there are 2 switches on the brake pedal one is for the crise if equpiied and one is for the brake lights the one for the brake lights is the one wtaht cuts out the remote starter. I would not advise unplugging it becaue you will not have brake lights then. if you rmeote start this turn the key to run position and you step on the brake it still kills the engine? It shouldn't it should run off the ignition switch then. that would be another indication of a power feed to the switch being bad or the switch it's self. are you the original owner of this car? if so did you ever have the recall done for ignition switch thermal event? if not or your not the original owner call an Gm dealer give them your vin # and they can tell you if it was #1 involved in the recall and #2 if it was ever done. part of that recall was to install a starter control relay and if needed an ignition switch.
