1999 Pontiac Grand Am security light on dashboard

[quote:e03afffd74="yunalensca"]Engine Mechanical problem
1999 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic
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i have a 99 gran am.. the security light on my dashboard has come on a couple of times and my car won't start. i leave the car for a few hours and go back and it will start but the next time i try to start it the same thing happens. i have been told it could be the ignition tumbler, then i was told i needed a key with a security chip. What actually could be causing this? thanks[/quote:e03afffd74]

Hello,

The cause of your problem is indeed a fauly ignition cylinder, when the key is in the "on" postion for 10 minutes it goes around the anti theft (passlock) system and this is why you are able to start the car after 10 minutes of leaving the key in the "on" position. -jon

Yep, every novice tech blames the ignition cylinder, and 90% of the time they're correct. But 10% of the time they're not. A scan tool with the ability to check body data is the only sure route.