QuestionI have a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM SE with 140,000 miles 2.4 Quad 4. The passlock system was not allowing the car to start,I reset the system and got the car running, I took and cut the yellow wire for the anti theft because I was told that would fix the problem Since the car stopped running again later that day and now less than a week later, the instrument panel just went dead The TAC, temp, speedometer, and fuel. Do not work Are the two problems related? The lights for ABS, ETS, Low coolant comes on and the fuses are good. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have since reconnected the wire and reset the passlock system which does not last very long. the gauges do not work.Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
AnswerHi
They MAY be realted, in a way.
The Passlock system on this vehicle uses the BCM (Body Control Module). On this vehicle the BCM is integrated INSIDE the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC). I Have seen the failure of one, cause the other to fail (or vise versa) since so many circuits are shared internally.
I know from experience what I'm gonna tell you is frowned upon, but my advice would be to take it to your local GM dealership, and see if they can communicate with the IPC or BCM with the Tech2 scanner ONLY, OR a shop that has a Tech2 with current updates.
The reason I say the dealer, is ALOT of the Generic scanners do not communicate with the IPC/BCM for GM cars around 8-12 years old. JUST ADVICE, some scanners do, MOST dont.
I'll probabally get LOADS of hate mail, but that has been MY experience.
This MAY also be your problem with the PASSLOCK system, a faulty BCM will cause loss of valid key data very regularly,(often) as opposed to a faulty Passlock Sensor which may cause invalid data once every 20+ or more key cycles.
The dealership can get you a remanufactured IPC/BCM OR you MAY want to check with local salvage yards.
I Hope this all helps.
Please follow post back, if needed.
Good luck
Pawl
