Pontiac Grand Am cranking without key in ignition

PONTIAC GRAND AM
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CICC94
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  • 2 POSTS
I have a 1994 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cylinder with approx. 114,000 miles. Last night the car started all by itself after being parked for more then 8 hours. There was no key in ignition and noone was near it when this happened. I inserted the key and tried to turn it off but was already in off position. While it was running the headlights and flashers were blinking erratically. The car turned itself off within 15 minutes. I then pulled the wire off the battery so it wouldnt happen again. Any ideas why and how this happened? What needs to be replaced?
Thanks!
Jan 26, 2007 at 4:34 AM
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THE_HYDROXIDE_CHILD
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GHOSTS!!!! lol naw i had to say that lol... i dont know i want this answered to my friend had a car that did every now and then im curious to...
Jan 26, 2007 at 2:25 PM
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MATHIASO
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,209 POSTS
A least the car was not driving by itself yet!or maybe somebody who passed away come back to get his car back,do you think dead people drive car in hell :twisted: or heaven probably not the last one :D
sorry for the joke, to be serious:

Relay often develop corrosion on contacts with can cause problems with either power feed to the controlled device/system or activating the relay.Many relays have diodes in their activator circuits to avoid feedback.Electricc motors can cause relays without diodes to stay engaged after the circuit is turn off. Starter solenoids are example of large relays controlled by a fairly low amperage ignition switch.
this explain the situation. but still I believe in ghost! :D
check for corosion on the starter solenoid.
Jan 26, 2007 at 3:55 PM
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CICC94
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Thanks for the info on possible causes! I checked out what I could, then gave up and sent it to auto shop. They looked at it and couldn't find anything wrong with it! They checked starter, ignition switch, and wiring. I give up lol!! I guess if something breaks we will figure it out then.
Jan 31, 2007 at 6:03 AM
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MATHIASO
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,209 POSTS
did you check the safety switch?
Feb 1, 2007 at 1:56 AM
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