Hi Folks. Here's my issues. My dashboard has been going crazy lately. ABS light came on but there doesn't seem to be an issue with the system that I can tell. Recently the car would actually start as I move the key to the "ON" position so it starts the engine before I turn the key all the way forward. Weird. Then yesterday, it would not start. I tried multiple times and it finally started. When I say it didn't start, I mean it would even activate the starter but lights came on. The battery is good. When it finally started, the fuel gauge went to zero, and the security light started flashing along with the check engine light. After a few tries it seems to have gone away but I'm sure it will come back. I'm thinking it may be an issue with the PCM. I removed it by disconnecting the battery first and allowing any charge to discharge first. I inspected the connector pins on both sides and it all looks fine to me. I opened up the PCM and it's spotless and I don't see any obvious signs of failed components. I'm thinking of just replacing the PCM but wanted to gather some thoughts from the community first.

Any thoughts?? This is a weird one.

Thanks

 

always post your vehicle details please. year/model/miles/engine.

PCMs are expensive (and sometimes hard to find). Don't jump to replacing PCM until you've done troubleshooting and you're absolutely sure. It's rarely the PCM

First you need to run a full diagnostic scan with a pro tool. It sounds like you might have a janky ignition switch.

 

Thanks Mountainmanjoe. Apologies as I thought this was the Chevy Venture Forum. It's a 2004 Chevy Venture.

Question about the ignition switch. I saw a video on how to take it apart and it appears the cylinder is fairly easy to remove but it doesn't seem like controls the actual function but unclear. Is that function two part where the actual function is inside the column and that's the part that really might need to be replaced? Is that what makes all the "clicks" during key movement? I noticed the cylinder doesn't have a real "positive" click in each position, more so a soft click. Not sure if that's they way it always was and is supposed to be?

 

this is the ignition switch

 

Thanks. Do you know if there's a way to test that or do you think a good scan tool would pick up a failure in that switch?