1997 Pontiac Grand Am: won't start

Filed Jun 4, 2020 · Electrical · 178,000 miles · MA

The theft warning system keeps the ignition switch from engaging. The car will not start unless the key is in the "on" position for fifteen minutes and resets the system.

Filed Jun 23, 2006 · Electrical · KY

Sept. 2005 my 1997 pontiac grand am wouldn't start. The steering wheel was completely locked. Couldn't get the key into the switch,tried to shake steering wheel and tried banging on the switch and tried forcing the key in, but nothing worked. Had to take cover off under the steering wheel and push a bottom that I found and it unlocked, then it started. Even the dash light stopped working. Been driving with no dash light for a while. It started doing it again, but his time the button under the steering wheel wouldn't work. Had to put a toggle switch in, to even start. I turned the key on pushed the toggle switch and it started. That lasted till 6-7-06. That day I turned on the switch and it sounded like the starter was hung. Now my power windows wont work, the power door locks still work. Found recall online, the code number is 02008b, it says the engine fails to start when the driver holds the key in the start position for a period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces heat to melt internal switch parts. Towed car to pontiac dealer 6-22-06 thinking maybe the recall would fix my problem. I told him to do a diagnostic test on it and it came back the ignition lock cylinder is bad. Then he told me the price and I said, I cant afford that. He said, that it had to be fixed before he could fix the recall. They wanted $222.86 for the part and $275.88 for labor, $7.27 for misc. $14.58 for taxes then he changed it $20.00 for misc. Totaling to $533.32 to fix the cylinder. I told him I found recalls online and even copied them and brought it to him. But he said, that he's got to go by what he has on his recall from gm. I saying if its not on his recall then it should be. This should be a recall on the ignition lock cylinder. So I had it towed to another place that would put the ignition lock cylinder in for $239 including parts and labor.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · 85,000 miles · OH

When you run the air, the car stalls and won't start anywhere from one hour to three or four possibly the next day. The horn works sometimes, the raidio works sometimes as does the dispay, the volume goes up and down. The fuel systems shuts down along with the car when the air is running. The power window quit working in april, I replaced the one of the passenger side only to have the one on the driver side to stop working. The brakes went out with no warning. Anytime the car has any problems no lights come on to warn you it will just stop working. The shop that put the used engine in still can't tell me why it stared knocking. The ets system comes on and off all the time without pressing the button, I have had nothing but problems with the 1997 ponitac grand am gt.

Filed Aug 26, 2003 · Electrical · AL

Consumer called complaining about ignition switch problems. Dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted at the time of this call. Ignition swicth had been replaced once, but the vehicle was still having the same problem, vehicle will not start.

Filed Aug 13, 2003 · Electrical · AR

Consumer received recall 02v070000 for ignition switch. Vehicle would not start one evening. Consumer took car to dealer for recall remedy. Dealer stated that ignition cylinder and battery needed to be replaced, and problem was not with ignition switch. Consumer believesproblem was with switch, but dealer would not install relay to correct recall first. Dealer was requesting payment for replacement of cylinder and battery.

Filed Jul 18, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 87,000 miles · CO

While attempting to start the car a "clicking" sound occurred and the car would not start. The battery was replaced, and all was well for a week. Then, the ABS light came on while driving. Also, all the warning lights came on, the gauges flashed back and forth ,and the car stopped. Would not restart unless was set for several minutes. When it started the same incidents repeated. Warning lights would often come on and off without there being anything wrong with the system that the lights were indicating. Once the car was pulled to a stopping location it would not turn completely off , and the key would get stuck in the ignition. These problems persisted for 2 days until it completely stopped.

Filed Aug 9, 2002 · Engine · NJ

Consumer tried to start vehicle which had been parked in the driveway. It would not start. When consumer tried to restart the vehicle there was smoke emitting from the steering column. Consumer disconnected the battery for safety reasons. Consumer was informed that the recalled part was installed at no charge, but the damage caused due to the faulty part will charged. Consumer feels gm should reimburse the monies paid.

Filed Jul 24, 2002 · Electrical · MO

Tried to start car, dash board lights came on, car wouldn't start, key wouldn't come out, then tried to start car again and it started. The next day-went to run errands-stopped at store and key would not come out of the ignition, had to call tow truck, they had to disengage transmission to tow, garage mechanic hooked up to computer and found nothing wrong. The problem was the ignition switch failed, had to be rekeyed and battery replaced. We did have the manufacturers recall done on the ignition switch at dave cross motors, lee's summit mo 816‑524‑3636 on april 15,2002. Wondering if two problems are linked?

Filed Oct 5, 2001 · Electrical · CO

Vehicle parked in garage attempted to start itself at 6:01am (mdt). Key was not in ignition nor was iginition switch engaged. Vehicle cranked for approx. 4 minutes while owner attempted to disconnect battery. Following approx 4 minutes of engine cranking vehicle stopped on its own. Owner then attempted to start vehicle to move out of garage in the event of another occurrence. Vehicle electrical system was completely shutdown and vehicle would not start. Owner also noticed strong electrical burning odor. Vehicle would also not disengage from park due to total system failure. Vehicle was towed to dealer. Ignition switch identified as failure (part retained by vehicle owner). While vehicle is no longer within the warranty period, owner has serious concern regarding fire potential to vehicle and surrounding structures if failure had occurred at a time where vehicle had been unattended or unnoticed.

Filed Sep 19, 2000 · Electrical · RI

When putting key in the ignition switch there is no response, vehicle will not turn over. Consumer went to the dealership, and mechanic replaced inner mechanism of vehicle. Vehicle broke down again, vehicle is at the dealership.

Filed May 3, 2000 · Electrical · AL · fire

Pontiac grand am 1997, on 5/2/00 car would not start after being driven during the day, it turned over once, then nothing saw smoke trail coming from turn signal arm cut ignition switch off, got out of vechile, went into the house, about 3minutes heard the horn of the vehicle sounding, went outside to check , car was on fire at the drivers side, opened up drivers side door, flames were in the steering unit, and on the drivers seat , and steering wheel and top sun visor, ran and got a fire extinquisher, put out the fire, horn still going off, popped hood release and disconnected the hot cable from the battery. Car is now at dealership pending investigation, concerned that this might have happened when driving the vechile, was just lucky it did not happen during use.

Filed Mar 31, 1998 · Electrical, Engine · UN

Vehicle will not start two or three times a day. The engine will crank but the anit-theft indicator light will blink and the engine will shut down (it sound as if no fuel getting to engine.)