Security Light Stays on and won't start until it shuts off
Asked by Wendy May 12, 2017 at 01:26 AM about the 1998 Pontiac Firebird
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I have a 1998 Pontiac Firebird 3.8V engine with manual transmission.
Sometimes it won't start so I'll have to wait about 3 minutes until the Security
light goes out on its own. Then it may do it again or start. I have replaced the
ignition switch and the problem happened before that and after, but now it
seems more frequent. Not sure if its the key (happens with both keys) so not
sure if key chip is worn? Any ideas? Is it the key? the ignition switch? I saw
somewhere someone say "reset the relay switch??? If the key, where do I
get a new one?
5 Answers
If it doe,s this randomly,meaning as you say,your ecm is bad,if it were key or antitheft issue it just would not crank at all not just sometimes and not sometime,have the ecm checked.
Yes it is random. What does ecm mean? Thank you for your reply!
Engine Control Module or sometimes called an Electronic Control Module because it is a circuit board (ECM). My 91 vehicle gave me the same list of odd ball problems and a few others. Worked my way through ignition parts and then had it diagnosed at my local shop as the ECM and all is well after its replacement.
Guru9QCZWS answered 2 years ago
My 97 Trans Am would not start and my security light was on constant....someone had backed into my car and broke the tail light, my husband had worked on battery cables, don’t know if any of this had set off the anti theft system, however did drive my car home after the tail light incident... But, searching on the internet, I found a article, tried it, my car started, security light is off....I cut car off and waited, cranked again, starting every time... Put the key in locked door, turn to open lock, hold key in that position for 30 seconds, unlock door.....crank car......It worked for me!! Cheryl
