Starting disable due to theft system

Tiny
ALEXTTT
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • 135,000 MILES
I was getting a security light on my dash so I took it to dealership to have them replaced the ignition cylinder. I picked it up starts up fine but a week later I get into it and it wont start nor crank has a disable light on dash. I had the car for able 3 months and it just been sitting in my driveway I don't drive it. Will a low voltage from the battery cause this issue?
Tuesday, February 18th, 2020 AT 12:27 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
A low battery can cause all sorts of issues and it is possible to cause what you are seeing. However, I would think the battery would need to be severally discharged to cause this as a dead battery normally just causes a click no start.

I would suggest we need to start with pulling codes to find out what are there in order to determine the best course of action. The other option is to call the dealer that repaired it the first time because I would think they would check it out again and see what the issue is. If it is another issue then clearly they would provide you an estimate but if it is the same then they should repair it at no charge.

If you can pull codes yourself, let's start there. Also do the lights and accessories come on when you turn the key?
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Tuesday, February 18th, 2020 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
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Yes all the lights and radio come on when I turn the key to the on position.
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Tuesday, February 18th, 2020 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
ALEXTTT
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I had the battery tested also and it's coming back good.
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Tuesday, February 18th, 2020 AT 5:42 PM
Tiny
ALEXTTT
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Is it possible that the BCM is bad?
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Wednesday, February 19th, 2020 AT 11:56 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
It could be the BCM but I would not do anything until you check for codes. If we have codes then clearly that will take us in that direction. If there are no codes then we have an issue that is causing the security system to "forget" the code and it is not allowing it to start.

If you have not done so already, I would definitely call back to the shop that worked on it because if too much time goes they are more likely to say this is not related.
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Wednesday, February 19th, 2020 AT 5:35 PM
Tiny
ALEXTTT
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  • 59 POSTS
I towed it back to the delearship and there going to see why the car is disabled. I will post what the issue was once they call me.
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Wednesday, February 19th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Great! Thanks for the update. Yes, please keep us updated because I am curious about this one because you have an odd issue (in case you weren't aware of that already). :)
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Wednesday, February 19th, 2020 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
ALEXTTT
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
Just heard back from the dealership and they said the wire to the BCM is bad.
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Thursday, February 20th, 2020 AT 1:00 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Interesting. You were close with the BCM. Good job. Thanks for the update.
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Thursday, February 20th, 2020 AT 6:30 PM
Tiny
ALEXTTT
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  • 59 POSTS
Can you tell me what the BCM exactly does?
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Thursday, February 20th, 2020 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Sure can.

The BCM is called the Body Control Module. Basically this is the brains of the electrical system. It takes inputs from different sensors and then tells other things what to do by sending power to them. For example, if you open one of the doors, there is a door ajar switch in the door jam. This switch is the input to the BCM and sends voltage to it to tell it that the door is now open. The BCM then sends a signal to the cluster to tell it to turn on the indicator on that shows a door is open. It also then sends a signal to the lighting circuits to turn the lights on when the door is open.

In essence, anything electrical on the vehicle has some association with the BCM either directly or indirectly.
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Thursday, February 20th, 2020 AT 7:33 PM

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