Won’t start unless it’s started by the starter?

Tiny
KALYNMUSIC777
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 163,000 MILES
My car won’t start unless it’s started by the starter itself & it keeps popping up the battery light, security light on the dash. I’ve replaced my Body control module before and I don’t know what to do
Saturday, November 29th, 2025 AT 3:13 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,433 POSTS
Most cars only start with the starter, unless you have a Model T or similar. Or do you mean the key or remote start doesn't work? Battery light and security light both sound like you have a battery that has an issue. Did this happen after the body module swap or was it swapped trying to repair it?
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Saturday, November 29th, 2025 AT 5:37 PM
Tiny
KALYNMUSIC777
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It won’t start with the key. & This happened about a year after the bcm swap.
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Sunday, December 7th, 2025 AT 10:51 AM
Tiny
KALYNMUSIC777
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I just went into the store and it wouldn’t start. & The battery was loose but it isn’t anymore. Is there a procedure to unlock the security system on an 01 Chevy impala?
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Sunday, December 7th, 2025 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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OK, so it was running OK and then you stopped one day and it wouldn't start again. What does it do when you turn the key? Nothing? Turns over and doesn't run or turns over and runs a couple seconds then stalls? Does the security light come on? Or flash?
The description doesn't sound like security at this point.
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Sunday, December 7th, 2025 AT 4:36 PM
Tiny
KALYNMUSIC777
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When I turn the key it just pops up the battery light, the security light, and oil light
on my little messages box on the dash. And it doesn’t start. It was out of nowhere honestly.
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Sunday, December 7th, 2025 AT 5:08 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,433 POSTS
OK, the lights coming on like that would be the bulb test, from there the engine would normally start and they would go off. However, in your case the car isn't starting so nothing happens. This can be multiple things, but it isn't the security system as it would let the engine start run for about 3 seconds and then stall because it disables the fuel system.
You can start with the sections in this guide. Being it was out of nowhere I would look at the battery connections then the starter relay.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start
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Monday, December 8th, 2025 AT 11:29 AM

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