Car not starting correctly

Asked by Nadia Jan 11, 2013 at 06:43 PM about the 2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My car was working just fine yesterday, though the service vehicle soon light had come on.  It appeared to be the front left headlight had gone out.  Wasn't able to take it to be fixed quite yet though, I was going to do that next week and just drive only during the day for now.

Now today I try to head out to the grocery store and the car won't unlock.  I thought it was just my remote died since the car is old and all, so I manually unlocked it with the key.  Tried to start the car and the service vehicle soon light came on along with security, and one that looked like battery and oil.  It did start, the lights came on inside, the radio was working, but the car wouldn't move.  Since the only electrical thing not working was the locks (and likely window), I'm doubting the battery went out entirely, car doesn't start at all when that happens and I just replaced it less than a year ago.

I stopped it, waited about 30 seconds, tried again, same thing.  It appears to start fine, but all those lights come on and it doesn't go anywhere.  I just want to know what is wrong and how to fix it or how much it will likely cost to get someone else to do it.

3 Answers

176,045

It sounds like the car has a bunch of different problems. Grand Am's have a reputation of various electrical problems that are cured by disconnecting the battery, inspecting the cables below the terminals, cleaning the contact area and hooking the battery back up. Head over to GAOwnersClub.com and we can solve each issue one at a time. Lets start with the no-go transmission.

6 people found this helpful.
50

I know exactly what’s wrong with your Pontiac it’s the security lockout sometimes they get all messed up and it keeps the car from starting. Put your key in the ignition and turn it to on not start wait about 10 minutes until the security light stops flashing. Then start the car it’ll work.

2 people found this helpful.
60

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I was looking at expensive towing and repair bills. Your tip worked like a charm

6 people found this helpful.

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