electrical problem
8.0
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$350.00
Average Mileage:
186,369 miles
Number of complaints:
8 complaints
Most common solutions:
- key in ignition for 10 minutes turn off and restart (3 reports)
- not sure (2 reports)
- change the sensor and have it collaborated (1 reports)
- left my key in the ignition on acc (1 reports)
- posting by justin b. took care of it; 10 minutes, remove key (1 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2001 Oldsmobile Alero security light flashing car won't start engine turns over
2008Nov 01
Alero
- Automatic transmission
- 111,000 miles
I did the sit for 10 minutes thing for a few times, then the security light comes on and stays on solid, and it wont go off. Thats when they tell you that you need to change the sensor AND have it collaborated. THAT MY FRIENDS WILL COST YOU $350, $200 for the sensor alone. Well now that, that is done, I took it to another dealership and am gonna trade it in on something thats not a pain in the ass for me anymore. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER OLDSMOBILE AGAIN.
2008Oct 10
Alero
- Automatic transmission
- 850,000 miles
I have looked online and seen a million complaints for the passlock system in GM cars!!! I am in college and a female and don't need to be worrying about my car not wanting to start!!! It is terrible that I have to worry about this problem all the time! I have see on the internet that you can fix it by putting your key in the on position for 10 mins with your radio off..until the button stops flashing..Then put your keep in the off position for 10 sec. It works, but it is soo inconvenient that I have to do this about every couple months! I am just very worried that one day my car is going to not start and I am doing to get hurt or kidnapped or something. I think as a young girl in my fourth year of college i should not be worrying about this!! I really think that GM should place a recall on this because one day someone is going to get hurt!! GM doesn't realize that a women has to worry about these thinks...so i think everyone who has this same problem should report it so we can get this fixed and not have to worry about these things!
2008Jul 26
Alero GLS 3.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 115,000 miles
I have the same problem as every1 else in here. Had noticed for about 6 moths now the car was hard starting, and then one day it just didn't start. All I got to say is thank god for this website cause i tried a new fuel pump to and wasn't it!! I was about to try a fuel pressure regulator also till i found this website. I also feel that GM should be able to solve this matter at no cost to us! I have never heard of a problem like this before and ive fixed alot of cars this is a manufacture defect and GM should address it TKS!
2008Apr 25
Alero V6
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
THIS IS ANNOYING AS HELL... I am not the only one with this damn problem.Years of 2000,2001,2002 I have seen reporting the same problem .....The shut off for 10 mins and turn on for the duration of a half and hour some have said and it will start ...and yes it does ,I almost was late for a family member funeral playing this game with my car and it doesn't do it all the time so it is a pain in the ass you r playing a game of'mmmmwonder if it will start today' it's BS ! I have contacted GM to no avail and they say bring car in well I have and I am going broke ...they need to be true to their school.....AND they wonder why Americans are purchasing Foreign cars ...My fience has a Honda over almost 20 years old NEVER a problem as other friends and fam and their civics etc. THIS SUCKS GM SUCKS never again will I purchase an American made car...Sorry Detroit !
2006Oct 20
(reported on)Alero GL
- Automatic transmission
- 115,000 miles
I had just came back from the store and was about to go out again when my car wouldn't start. I fooled with it for a while and attempted to start it repeatedly, damn thing wouldn't start. I went in the house for about an hour, then I decided to attempt to start my car again. I couldn't find the keys. I remembered I left the key in the car. I walked out to the car and noticed I left them in the ignition in the ACC position. When I sat in the car I had noticed the security light had stopped blinking. Car started right up... I have no idea if this really works but when I think back, I remember when I had my car towed and the car started as soon as it was taken off the flatbed. The key was in the ignition the entire time. Well its worth a try, Im not sure how long it takes but if it happens again ill keep u guys updated.
2008Mar 01
Alero 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 99,419 miles
Considering how many Aleros are out on the streets and knowing that it is a problem that obviously GM knows about, there should be a recall for this. It is not just the Alero by the way. My nephew also owns a Sunfire (Gee another GM vehicle) that also does the same thing. GM should be honorable and offer a recall on this situation, but wait that would cost them money wouldn't it? I wonder how the engineers and executives would feel if each time they went to start their car they had to wait 10 minutes to 1 hour before they could actually drive it. Imagine sitting in a parking lot in -22 degree weather waiting for your car to start. All the while you have your 2 month old infant in a car seat screaming as it is so damn cold while you wait. Or imagine their wife or daughter leaving work, perhaps on a late shift and they are alone in the parking lot. Yet they have to wait 10 minutes to 1 hour to get the car started. God forbid they need to leave in a hurry.
GM knows they have a huge problem here, yet they still will not honor all those customers who purchased their vehicles. Perhaps if they would keep their manufacturing in North America instead of outsourcing to cut costs they would solve their problems. Perhaps the plant in Mexico who manufactured the Alero took one too many siestas while installing the security systems.
Well fear not this is yet another person who will never purchase a GM vehicle again.
2007May 26
(reported on)Alero V6
- Automatic transmission
- 97,536 miles
Everything was just fine and after getting gas my car would not start. It turned over but would not start. I noticed the security light was flashing. Cleaning the key did not fix it so I assumed it had something to do with the anti-theft mechanism. My car had to be towed home and I worried that this was a problem that would eat up hours of a mechanic's time and many dollars. I immediately went to Google, did a search, found AutoBeef and read Justin B's solution. I tried his security "reset" -- put key to "on" for 10 minutes, take out, wait 10 seconds, start it up. Worked like a charm. Thank you Justin B.
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your electrical problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Nov 16
Alero GLS V6
I started having this problem about two years ago. I spent approximately 1200.00 for a mechanic to get this problem fixed. Charged for a carburetor and a fuel pump before a co-worker told me about this fix action. Turn your key to ACC, wait for the security light to stop flashing or go out, then turn the ignition off, then back on again to restart. This happens about three or four times a year. Definitely a pain! I have two of these beasts, but only one is giving me problems.
koiman
Woodbridge, VA, USA
SEND A COMMENT »