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I have a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am. I had to re-program the anti theft system in past. Then, the gauges quit working so I decided to change the dash panel - now my car won't stay running (it will start, but then it dies). I was told that in these cars you can't change the dash panel so I put the old one back in and I am now trying to figure out how to reprogram this car (leaving the key on for 15 minutes like I did in the past is NOT working and I've also tried turning the key on for 12 minutes, off for 2 seconds, on for 12 minutes, off for 2 seconds, on for 12 minutes, off for 2 seconds and then strating and it still starts and then dies) Now what do I try?

Submitted: 70 days and 12 hours ago.

Category: Car

Value: $33

Status: CLOSED

Year: 1997
Make: Pontiac
Model: Grand Am SE
Engine: 3100

Already Tried:
Leaving the key on for 15 minutes
Turning key on for 12 minutes, off 2 seconds, on 12 minutes, off 2 seconds, on 12 minutes, off 2 seconds then starting
Passenger side Door Locks

Posted by high tech 70 days and 12 hours ago.

Info Request

When you are trying the relearn process are you turning the key to the run position or just to the on position?

70 days and 12 hours ago.

Reply

I'm turning it to the run position.

Posted by high tech 70 days and 12 hours ago.

Info Request

So you are starting it and letting the 12 minutes run out after it stalls? If you are doing this is the security light flashing and then stops after the 12 minutes?

70 days and 12 hours ago.

Reply

no, i'm just turning the key to run position and waiting.

my light stays on (it doesn't flash)

when the car does start the light stays on and then it flashes and that's when the car dies

Posted by high tech 70 days and 12 hours ago.

Info Request

When it does start and stall are you saying it keeps flashing?

70 days and 12 hours ago.

Reply

yes

Posted by high tech 70 days and 12 hours ago.

Answer

Ok, when you do the relearn process you will need to turn the key so it is starting the vehicle each time so the light is flashing and after 10 - 12 minutes it will stop flashing and then turn the key off for 10 seconds, you may need to do the process up to 4 times.

70 days and 11 hours ago.

Reply

ok, I tried it...it started and ran, but when I shut it off and tried to restart it again, the theft light comes back on and flashes, i have to do that 2 or 3 times and it will FINALLY start.

Is there a way to TURN OFF the anti-theft system completely???

Posted by high tech 70 days and 11 hours ago.

Answer

There is not a way to turn off the anti theft completely. If this continually sets the anti theft off there is either a problem with the cluster you installed or it is the wrong cluster or there is a problem with the ignition lock cylinder (not likely if you did not have this problem before the cluster install)

70 days and 11 hours ago.

Reply

can I take my other cluster and put in there to make it run?

Posted by high tech 70 days and 11 hours ago.

Answer

Yes but I believe you will need to go through the relearn again.

70 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

Ok, I just went back out and tried to start again and it's back to square one. (I have not changed the cluster - I know I asked about that earlier).

Posted by high tech 70 days and 10 hours ago.

Answer

As I stated above there is a problem with either the cluster or the lock cylinder.

70 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

So does it hurt to use a cluster out of another car? (I was told from someone that I couldn't change that). I have a cluster out of another car that I could put in there.

Posted by high tech 70 days and 10 hours ago.

Answer

If it is the same it should work, you will just need to do the programming procedure.

70 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

What does the VIN # on the cluster mean?

Posted by high tech 70 days and 10 hours ago.

Answer

It may be used to determine if the cluster has been changed, so that people can not switch out one with lower miles without telling a buyer about the change.

70 days and 9 hours ago.

Reply

Thank you Very Much!

I didn't think I was EVER going to get that thing running!

Accepted Answer

Thank you and please do not forget to accept my anwer.

Accepts:
Expert:	high tech
Pos. Feedback:	99.1 %
Answered:	9/13/2009

Technician

26 years exp in auto repair

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Optional Information

Year: 1997Make: PontiacModel: Grand Am SEEngine: 3100 Already Tried: Leaving the key on for 15 minutes Turning key on for 12 minutes, off 2 seconds, on 12 minutes, off 2 seconds, on 12 minutes, off 2 seconds then starting Passenger side Door Locks

Info Request

When you are trying the relearn process are you turning the key to the run position or just to the on position?

Reply

I'm turning it to the run position.

Info Request

So you are starting it and letting the 12 minutes run out after it stalls? If you are doing this is the security light flashing and then stops after the 12 minutes?

Reply

no, i'm just turning the key to run position and waiting. my light stays on (it doesn't flash) when the car does start the light stays on and then it flashes and that's when the car dies

Info Request

When it does start and stall are you saying it keeps flashing?

Reply

yes

Answer

Ok, when you do the relearn process you will need to turn the key so it is starting the vehicle each time so the light is flashing and after 10 - 12 minutes it will stop flashing and then turn the key off for 10 seconds, you may need to do the process up to 4 times.

Reply

ok, I tried it...it started and ran, but when I shut it off and tried to restart it again, the theft light comes back on and flashes, i have to do that 2 or 3 times and it will FINALLY start. Is there a way to TURN OFF the anti-theft system completely???

Answer

Reply

can I take my other cluster and put in there to make it run?

Answer

Yes but I believe you will need to go through the relearn again.

Reply

Ok, I just went back out and tried to start again and it's back to square one. (I have not changed the cluster - I know I asked about that earlier).

Answer

As I stated above there is a problem with either the cluster or the lock cylinder.

Reply

So does it hurt to use a cluster out of another car? (I was told from someone that I couldn't change that). I have a cluster out of another car that I could put in there.

Answer

If it is the same it should work, you will just need to do the programming procedure.

Reply

What does the VIN # on the cluster mean?

Answer

It may be used to determine if the cluster has been changed, so that people can not switch out one with lower miles without telling a buyer about the change.

Reply

Thank you Very Much! I didn't think I was EVER going to get that thing running!

Accepted Answer

Thank you and please do not forget to accept my anwer.

Related Car Questions

Year: 1997
Make: Pontiac
Model: Grand Am SE
Engine: 3100

Already Tried:
Leaving the key on for 15 minutes
Turning key on for 12 minutes, off 2 seconds, on 12 minutes, off 2 seconds, on 12 minutes, off 2 seconds then starting
Passenger side Door Locks

no, i'm just turning the key to run position and waiting.

my light stays on (it doesn't flash)

when the car does start the light stays on and then it flashes and that's when the car dies

ok, I tried it...it started and ran, but when I shut it off and tried to restart it again, the theft light comes back on and flashes, i have to do that 2 or 3 times and it will FINALLY start.

Is there a way to TURN OFF the anti-theft system completely???

Thank you Very Much!

I didn't think I was EVER going to get that thing running!