Grand Am Ignition cylinder/switch replacement

[TazMan]

So it looks like this week I'm gonna be buying a 1999 Grand Am. I've inspected the car three times and the only thing I can find wrong with it is a sticky ignition lock cylinder and yellowing headlights. When I called up the autoparts store about the ignition, I was told I would have to have it programed by a dealer after I replaced it for it to work. Does anybody know if there is any way around this?

[3100 MPFI]

Some grand am's have this and some dont. My grandmothers 1999 Grand Am does not have the ignition security system. I am using a key that does not even really have a grip on it, and no problems so far.

[geldartb]

the key doesnt have the chip or transponder in it. its based with the ignition cylinder itself and the bcm.
the only times you really have to replace them is if you have problems with the security light coming on and the car wont start and you have to wait 10 minutes.



In order for a theft deterrent vehicle to run, a password is communicated between the Body Function Control (BFC) and the PCM. If a PCM is replaced, the new PCM needs to learn the correct password of the vehicle. When the new PCM is installed, the EEPROM calibration is flashed into the new PCM and the vehicle will learn the new password upon the initial ignition ON cycle. If the Body Function Control (BFC) is replaced, the PCM needs to learn the new password from the Body Function Control (BFC). The password learn procedure is as follows:
Attempt to the start vehicle. The vehicle will stall.
Leave the ignition ON until the Theft System telltale turns OFF (approx. 10 minutes ).
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Attempt to the start vehicle. The vehicle will start on the this attempt. The password is now learned.

Attempting to start the vehicle by bypassing the theft deterrent system or substituting parts without performing the password learn procedure may set a DTC P1631 and P1632.

If no password is received a DTC P1610, P1626 and P1632 may be set.

[TazMan]

Okay so I can just change it and then go through the procedure to have it learn the new password. That's good news for me. To bad the switch costs almost $200.

Some grand am's have this and some dont. My grandmothers 1999 Grand Am does not have the ignition security system. I am using a key that does not even really have a grip on it, and no problems so far.

How would I tell if it has this feature?

the key doesnt have the chip or transponder in it. its based with the ignition cylinder itself and the bcm.
the only times you really have to replace them is if you have problems with the security light coming on and the car wont start and you have to wait 10 minutes.

I've got a buddy with a 2000 Alero that has that exact problem. It doesn't always happen to him but it happens often enough. He would have to replace the ignition and the BCM to fix this?

[geldartb]

i wouldnt go as far as replacing the BCM. usually just the ingition will solve it.

and i dont know what the hell 3100mpfi is talking about i think hes thinking about the luminas and crap that had the VATS with the little chip on the key, in which that has nothing to do with the grand am.

oh and 3100mfi your grandmothers 99 grand am does have the ignition security system. its not one of those things where some got it and some dont all 99+ N-body cars are the same.

[SHOoff]

Attempting to start the vehicle by bypassing the theft deterrent system or substituting parts without performing the password learn procedure may set a DTC P1631 and P1632.

I'm not sure about the GA, but I know in the J-bodies the car will start and die after a second or so. Never see a CEL, just a blinking theft system light and an engine that's not running.

How would I tell if it has this feature?

All of them should have the PASSLOCK system.

[geldartb]

if you scan the dtc's with some like say DHP you will see them. it wont set the light but the codes will be there.

and yeah that is true it will start and then die a second later no matter what you do.

in the Grand am's it was something like 96 or so they started using the passlock in them, and regardless all 99+ grand am's have the passlock.

[TazMan]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna check the local junk yards and if they don't have one then e-bay it is. Just one last question. My friend with the Alero doesn't really care about the codes if it won't cause the CEL to light. Does anybody know how I can bypass the theft deterrent system?