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Pontiac Bonneville General Maintenance and Repair

2268 messages,  Last post on Jan 25, 2013 at 12:52 PM

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What is this discussion about? Pontiac Bonneville, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 227

#1 of 2268 Tail Lamp indicator by roma007

May 31, 2000 (3:04 pm)

Hey guys,


I have a '97 SSE. The driver information console
shows that my tail lamp is out. I fixed it, but
the lamp won't go out.


Also, I am not sure how much gas I have in the
car. When I fill it with about 6 gallons with the
needle at almost empty the reading goes up to the
1/2 mark. This is happens every time.


Has anybody else experienced this?

#2 of 2268 by scraj

Jun 07, 2000 (9:19 pm)

My 96 ssei had the same problem. The tail light went off and the dealer replaced it and the information console is perfect now.


The gas tank, i guess, the design is different. I had the same issue. When the tank is full, the needle is perfect. It would come very slowly till half and fall down drastically from half to empty. When i asked the service manager, the guy gave me a written notice saying that it is the design of the gas tank and the meter. Don't know what that is. But, got used to it now and i have a habbit of keeping a tab on the no of miles i drive, by resetting the trip meter everytime i fill the tank. I know that the tank would be empty very soon once the no. crosses 350 miles.

#3 of 2268 Gas Tank by roma007

Jun 08, 2000 (2:21 pm)

That's right. I have the same thing. When the tank is full the needle is fine, but once it crosses the 1/2 mark it goes down fast.


I am used to it now. Also, I notice that when the needle is at Empty or below I am able drive for quite a while. I try not to drive more than 10-15 miles so I don't get stranded.

#4 of 2268 1988 by jus88

Jul 27, 2000 (7:36 pm)

Anyone no of any problems with the 88 Bonneville besides the fact that it can't keep away from rust???

#5 of 2268 steering rack by jono4

Aug 06, 2000 (7:05 pm)

Had to replace steering rack at 44,000 on my 98 SE. Pretty spooky to think a car would rupture such a huge part at such low miles.
Jono4

#6 of 2268 radio lock by glennb4

Aug 10, 2000 (10:07 pm)

I just bought a 94 Bonneville and right out the gate I had to replace the alternator. When I disconnected the battery, the radio in it's infinite wisdom, locked on me, and I haven't got a clue what the code is. Any suggestions?
 By the way, I love the car!

#7 of 2268 ssei and a cherokee by anonymous

Aug 13, 2000 (4:51 pm)

I'm a very new ssei owner (2 days). I was reading
ezrapon's message #495 and might have an explanation. I'm just turning in a '98 GC and
it has a 5.9L motor. I replaced the computer and put in a K&N cold air box (57i), both we ordered from the local Chrysler dealer. The K&N setup for this truck is dyno'd 27hp extra, at the rear wheels....Between the 2 add-ons and the factory 245HP, I surprised many drivers. I'm going to try and run the two vehicles before I give back the GC. I'll let you know.
As far as everything else goes, the ssei rules supreme.

#8 of 2268 radio lock by jimi2536

Aug 21, 2000 (4:10 pm)

Check your owners manual. If you don't have one you may try to hit mute button on the steering wheel. That worked on my 91.

#9 of 2268 Transmission problems by hodgie1

Aug 22, 2000 (5:20 pm)

I purchased a 98 SSEI about 4 months ago with 18000 miles on it and have had nothing but trouble with the transmission. The first problem was with the car lurching on the highway from the passing gear back to overdrive, the dealership upgraded the software. I then had trouble with the car hesitating when shifting and bogging down. The dealership said nothing was wrong. The next problem was with the transmission slamming into gear when I needed to slow in traffic, they replaced a selinoid. Now less than 4 days later the car is making a growling noise at parking lot speeds and when I am accelerating. I have also had alternator problems and several other minor issues but I still love this car. Anyone have a similar experience with the Transmission?

#10 of 2268 RE: transmission problems by wschofield

Aug 29, 2000 (3:45 am)

We can relate to your story -- almost identical! 1997 Bonneville SE


Our alternator was replaced at 18K. They decided is was a bad unit from the factory. We took it in because the gauge was reading low and battery charge problems. Surprise -- the replacement was replaced within a few months. They said its rare for the replacement part to be bad as well, we're so lucky.


Now, our car is having the transmission replaced. A few short months after the warranty period is over. We had complained about bad shifting into overdrive, and they couldn't diagnose (wait until it gets worse). We took it to a transmission shop, their diagnosis was that the torque converter was locking up, an electrical unit that they were ill equipped to diagnose more specifically. So, back to the dealer with this to check out, and the dealer now says the transmission needs to be replaced. Ouch.


Very disappointing. We like the car also, very comfortable to drive. But, this is the second GM product with major needs at the end of three years.

Messages Page 1 of 227

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