This problem only happens in the winter. I've been dealing with this for the 2nd winter now. Thus far I have, replaced the ignition switch and put a switch on the passlock to bypass it. What I have noticed is though, the car WILL NOT start until the amber light on the automatic shifter (gear selector) console lights up. What ever powers that up is failing, it causes the engine to just crank. Once the shifter light turns on (5-60 minutes) , it turns over and runs no problem. Can anyone help? Thank you!

how's the charge on your battery? when was your last tune up?

I have the same problem - when starting the dash lights, indicators and amber shift light are not on and if I try to start it will start and die - fails warm or cold, and just waiting with switch on eventually lights pop on and all is fine til next start. There must be a failure of the +12 from ignition switch to the instrument panel microprocessor or a bad ground on the panel. I ordered complete wiring diagram and will trace wiring. If someone has seen this problem please advise. Chuck

maybe replace your ignition module?

Finally found that the instrument cluster was bad. Dealer gets $350 and most junkyards out of them but got one and problem solved except now security light flashing and car shuts right off. Dealers wanted to charge $100 to reprogram to accept new cluster but luckily the Chevy dealer had a service gal who appeared to punch in the security problem while on the phone and said that they could do the reprogramming for $100 but that there was a RELEARN procedure that may save me the the job there.

It is simply to turn the key on and start and die and leave the key on for 10 minutes, then try it again. She said I would have to do this 3 times taking a half hour. But to my amazement, leaving the key on for 15 minutes or so, I turned it off and back on and security light was solid as usual and not flashing and everything works fine. So obviously everything is digitally coded and the computer is finally happy with the new part.

Problem fixed by replacing Instrument Cluster from junk yard. But then had flashing security lite and engine dies right after start. Dealer said numbers on cluster board must be the same and they were but they would reprogram to accept new cluster for $100. No need for that as Smith Chevy explained RELEARN procedure which is simply to leave the key on for 10 minutes after engine dies. May have to repeat 3 times but mine only took once. Then on the next start security light not flashing and starts fine. Chuck Walp@juno.com