Afternoon fellow Monte enthusiasts...

(sorry in advanced for the length I just figured the more detailed I was the better)
I hope I'm posting this in the right section! This is my first post other then my newbie post in the new member section and also the first "major" issue I've had with my Monte... And I can't seem to find any other similar post to this... So here goes...

2002 Monte Carlo SS
3.8 V6


So last Monday(Dec 22nd) I was at a red light and my car died with no warning what so ever.. I tried to restart several times and nothinn, no crank wouldn't turn over nothing, but the hazards and radio worked fine.. The first light I noticed on the dash was the battery light (blinking)... Got it jumped, it then ran fine (about a half mile) before it began to sputter and then die again... Tried to jump it again and this time the car would start up then it would die right away... UNLESS you gave it some gas and kept the RPMs around 2.5k-3k

Had to do the 2 feet shuffle just to drive it the 7 miles home and pulled over once because the car was jerking real bad.. Got it home, let it sit for a day... Started it up on the 23rd and it would start then die did this twice the 3rd time it started up and ran just fine it was idle-ing perfectly drove it around the corner and back home.. Turned it off and a few hours later it was right back doing the same thing... Now this time around I noticed that when I would start the car and it would die or even just putting the key in the ON position; that the BATTERY(icon) light would flash and then the SECURITY(word) light would flash in the message center on the dash... Looked it up and read sometimes the anit-theft system gets all messed up... So I tried what it said keeping the key in the On position for 10 (x3).. My battery died in the process ....

So today I pulled the alternator and battery out and took both to AutoZone The man told me that ALT tested fine and the battery needed to be charged before he could test it... But I did notice while handling my BATT that the sides were slightly swollen... Could this be the source of my problems?? But also from my understanding there is a recall on the car that in some cases could cause the car to shut off if there is unnecessary weight on the keychain... I have a few things on the key chain... Could that be it? Could it be a case of maybe I got some bad gas somewhere?

Oh and the check engine light is not on... the only time it comes on is when I get ready to start the car but then goes right back off... Which is normal right? Lol...

Hope to hear your opinions soon,

EbonyChevyMama

 

It sounds like you've got a problem with the BCM. If it fails to talk to the PCM, the security light will come on. You'll need someone with a Tech 2 scanner or whatever GM dealers are using now to read the codes in the BCM.

The key issue with these cars is only that excessive weight on the key chain can cause the key to move to the off position. The ignition shuts off, along with the airbag system.