Not starting

Tiny
SETTERGRENH
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
I have the car listed above (GT model) that I just bought and I noticed the key does not click back all the way. Now the battery is drained and it will not start. No wonder the previous owner had a new battery installed. Anyway, how do I fix this? I appreciate any input. Thank you!
Friday, April 20th, 2018 AT 6:05 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening.

What do you mean by clicking back?

Roy
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Friday, April 20th, 2018 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
SETTERGRENH
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  • 80 POSTS
It seems the key comes out before it is supposed to. When I take the key out it still dings when I open the door like the keys are still in.
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Friday, April 20th, 2018 AT 6:58 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, makes sense.

That is the lock cylinder. That will have to be replaced and programmed.

Is the key on the steering column or the dashboard?

Roy
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Friday, April 20th, 2018 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
SETTERGRENH
  • MEMBER
  • 80 POSTS
It is on the column. So if I replace the lock cylinder why does it need to be programmed?
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Friday, April 20th, 2018 AT 7:09 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Your anti theft or security system reads the key, the key contains a password to allow the PCM to turn on all the systems for the car to run.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
2. Remove the upper and lower steering column trim covers.
3. Disconnect the ignition lock cylinder electrical connector from the wiring harness on the column.
4. Put the key in the steering column lock cylinder set (1).
5. Turn the key to the start position.
6. Install a 1/16 alien wrench (2) into the hole on top of the lock module assembly to release the steering column lock cylinder set retaining pin.
7. Turn the steering column lock cylinder set (1) into the run position.
8. Pull the steering column lock cylinder set (1) out from the lock module assembly.
9. Remove the key from the steering column lock cylinder set (1).

Installation Procedure

imageZoom/Print

1. Insert the key into the steering column lock cylinder set (1).
2. Line up the locking tab (2) and the positioning tab (3) of the steering column lock cylinder set with the locking tab slot (5) and the positioning tab slot (4) in the lock module assembly (6).
3. Push the steering column lock cylinder set (1) into the lock module assembly (6).
4. Rotate the steering column lock cylinder set (1) in the lock module assembly (6) into all positions.
5. Connect the ignition lock cylinder electrical connector to the wiring harness on the column.
6. Install the upper and lower steering column trim covers. Connect the negative battery cable to the battery.
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Friday, April 20th, 2018 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
SETTERGRENH
  • MEMBER
  • 80 POSTS
So if I replace the lock cylinder my key-fob will not work anymore more? And if not I would probably have to get another fob and have it programmed, right?
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Friday, April 20th, 2018 AT 8:13 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,476 POSTS
No. The fob and key are different parts of the system. Each is programmed in as a different item. Your car uses what is called a Passlock system. The lock cylinder has a specific magnet that the sensor in the cylinder socket reads to tell the system that you are using a valid key and you can start the engine. In your case there is something wrong either with the cylinder key or the housing.
If you hold the key in can you turn it all the way back to the lock position? If not the problem may not be the cylinder itself it may be in the steering lock. If you can rotate it back all the way then replacing the cylinder should work.

If it was my car I would get a new key cylinder, then take the old one out and take them to an automotive locksmith. They can then key the new cylinder to use the original key, this way you do not need a key for the ignition that is different from the keys for the rest of the car. Now once the new key cylinder is installed the security system will still need to be programmed but that is not a difficult thing

Insert the key into the ignition switch and try to start the car.
It should start, and then stall, with the "security" light flashing. (Very rarely it will start and keep running, if it does go buy a lottery ticket on the way to the race track because you are very lucky)

If the security light flashes, which is the common result, leave the ignition in the "on" position and wait up to fifteen minutes. The Body Control Module should re-learn the security signal for the key and the "security" light should go out.
When it does, Turn the ignition "off" for five (5) seconds, and then try to re-start the car.
The "security" light should remain off this time, and the car should keep running.

If not there is a couple options, the easiest is to have the locksmith come out with his tools and reset everything to match the new cylinder and you should be done.
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Friday, April 20th, 2018 AT 9:26 PM
Tiny
SETTERGRENH
  • MEMBER
  • 80 POSTS
I cannot turn the key all the way back. When I take the key out and open the door it dings like the key is still in. The previous owner told me he bought a new battery now I know why.
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Saturday, April 21st, 2018 AT 7:56 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Is that with the new lock cylinder or the old one? We read that in your original posting.

Roy
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Saturday, April 21st, 2018 AT 8:00 AM
Tiny
SETTERGRENH
  • MEMBER
  • 80 POSTS
Okay, I replaced the lock cylinder went to start it, it started with the security light flashing. Went through the cycles and now when I shut it off the key will not come out. Any suggestions?
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Sunday, April 22nd, 2018 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
SETTERGRENH
  • MEMBER
  • 80 POSTS
The fob even works but the key does not come out.
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Sunday, April 22nd, 2018 AT 3:53 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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That sounds like the park interlock is not correctly positioned. But it does go all the way back to off now correct?
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Sunday, April 22nd, 2018 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
SETTERGRENH
  • MEMBER
  • 80 POSTS
No it is the same as the old lock cylinder. It still does not go back to the off position. When I open the door it still dings. And if I pull the key hard enough it will come out.
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Sunday, April 22nd, 2018 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,476 POSTS
Okay, it sounds like either the steering wheel lock bar (item 24) or it is gearing is not in proper position. That could be the result of wear or someone replacing the actual ignition switch without placing the key cylinder and pin in the proper place but the more likely option is that it has been damaged by someone trying to move the wheel with the lock in place. That can bend the pin or break it and cause it to jam inside the column. To get to that part you need to strip the top of the column down by removing the steering wheel and then the ignition and key cylinder, then you can get to the parts. 99% of the time it is faster and cheaper to just swap out the column if the internals are broken. Or get a column to tear down for parts.
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Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 AT 4:56 PM
Tiny
SETTERGRENH
  • MEMBER
  • 80 POSTS
Thank you again for your expertise! I fixed all the problems above now I have another question please on the same vehicle. Sometimes but not all the time when I come to a stop sign at a slow speed, the brakes sometimes sounds like it does when the ABS does when you slam on the brakes you know that certain sound. What do you think this problem could be? Any help appreciated. Thanks!
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Thursday, June 14th, 2018 AT 11:36 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,476 POSTS
What did you find the issue was with the key? Internal damage or ???

As for the second question. Please use this link to ask it as a new question. Being it is a different topic it will get sorted into brake issues once it is finally closed out.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

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Thursday, June 14th, 2018 AT 12:11 PM

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