Let me begin with saying I am NOT mechanically inclined whatsoever. Starting last summer, my 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP would start then stall 3 seconds later when it was hot outside. Then I started having weird electrical problems. There was no power to my radio, windows, power locks, security LED light on dash, and interior lights. The problem got worse until it quit altogether (luckily it was still in my garage). I thought i might need to reset the security system so I unplugged the battery for a couple hours...still no dice. No blown fuses either. Then I read about ignition switches and picked one up off amazon for $59.95. So I put it in...none of the electrical stuff was fixed but she fired right up and stayed on! I read something about the ignition switch having a wire that sends codes to the PCM to reset the security system. Maybe I just got lucky, but that 3 second later dying crap is finally over. I got my baby back! Thank you everyone for helping me with this. This site rules! If anyone has any clue about how to get my radio and interior lights back on, feel free to reply. At least I have my work car back now lol.
I wanna give a big shout out to Sparky. He put an idiot-proof instruction guide on how to replace the ignition switch. Check it out here:
Sparky's Answers: 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, Changing The Ignition Switch
