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Pontiac Grand Prix: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

980 messages,  Last post on Oct 12, 2006 at 6:30 PM

You are in the Pontiac Grand Prix Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Prix, Sedan

Messages Page 16 of 98

#150 of 980 Re: Key lock [lbatchelar] by kennrry

Apr 12, 2005 (8:20 am)

Replying to: lbatchelar (Apr 12, 2005 5:57 am)
I am also having the same identical problem with a 2000 Grand Prix. Took in to Rinke Pontiac, Warren Mi over two visits they replaced the shifter assembly, ignition switch and wiring harness down the steering column for 900.00. The third time I turned off the car the key was stuck again in the ignition. I'm now trying to do some research on my own so when I take it back I'll have something else for the technician to trouble shoot. It is an intermittant problem. I'm registered here at Edmunds as Kennrry. Let's try to stay in touch until the problems are solved.

#152 of 980 Re: 94 GP 3.1...Please Help!!!!!!!!! [miked2] by mytfast

Apr 12, 2005 (11:51 am)

Replying to: miked2 (Nov 28, 2004 12:01 pm)
Hi- Don't know if you're still having the intermittent starting problem but I had a similar problem on another car a number of years ago. The problem wound up being a bad battery cable which became coroded internally between the wire strands and reduced the flow of current from the battery. We took a razor cutter & made a slit length wise to expose the wiring inside & you wouldn't have belived the internal corrosion. Although pretty frustrating, it was a cheap fix.

#153 of 980 Kennrry: Key lock by mrrogers

Apr 12, 2005 (5:09 pm)

My wife's 98 Regal had a similar problem. Turned out to be the switch that does not let you remove the key unless you are in park. It is located in front of your shifter. Hope this helps. Good luck!

#154 of 980 Re: 94 GP 3.1...Please Help!!!!!!!!! [mytfast] by cornellpinoy

Apr 12, 2005 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: mytfast (Apr 12, 2005 11:51 am)
Do you remember if it was the positive or negative cable that was corroded? Did you have any corrosion on the battery terminals at any point in time? What led to you to check the cables? Was there still enough power for the lights and horn to work with the bad cable?
 
I have a '94 Olds with the 3.1 that has an intermittent starting problem. I may have to check the battery cables. Thanks for the tip!

#155 of 980 1998 grand prix gt by tax33

Apr 12, 2005 (9:29 pm)

Replying to: ocmike3 (Apr 07, 2005 9:08 pm)
My alternator went out twice, battery changed twice. at one time on the highway occasionally, all my dash lights would go out, the rpms went really high as well, took into the dealerships no one could figure out the problem and finally someone linked it too the battery, replaced it and it was fine. Also the tensioner belt pulley is plastic, i was away from home, and the plastic piece burned right off, the belt fell of, steering became hard , engine started heating up, luckly the problem didn't cost me too much, but im just pissed at the fact why would GM have a plastic part in near the engine, I love my car, don't want problems keep coming up on me, anyone any suggestions over all with your grand prixs, is there anything i should worry about, I do take care of it, all sythetic, oil, transmission fluid. 98 grand prix gt 3.8 , with 130k km, my 94 grand am, never no engine problems, only oil and regular maintenace, and taht has 290K km, what do think

#156 of 980 Electrical Fault involving Radio, Door Locks, Idiot Lights by chandler1

Apr 13, 2005 (10:00 am)

I bought a 2001 Grand Prix GT (3800) in Guelph. Half way home the radio cut out, the power door locks began to lock and unlock repreatedly (all by themselves) and the dash lights (idiot lights) all lit up. I changed the alternator (dealer told me it was overcharging) and there were no other fault codes in history.
I've had the car 3 months now and I'll go for 2 or 3 days with no problem then all of a sudden, the whole cycle begins again - radio out - locks locking and unlocking - dash idiot lights coming on. A new wrinkle just appeared the other day - the engine starts to cut out - no power. Dealer says he can't do anything unless the car acts up while in the garage. Any ideas gang?

#157 of 980 Re: 2005 Losing Power [msmith2] by pyro007

Apr 14, 2005 (8:52 pm)

Replying to: msmith2 (Mar 22, 2005 12:35 pm)
I am having the same problem in my 04 grand prix, the first time it happened while pulling into a parking lot, the car just started stalling and the dic thing said charging system failure, the car died, I turned it back on and it was fine, the dealer wasn't sure what it was, but replaced the alternator, after that the car started stalling whenver forg lamps, rear defroster and the fan were on, dealer kept it for two days, replaced the pcm. That problem got fixed, but now just yesterday after pulling out of my driveway and starting to drive, the car cut out, and i almost flew out of the windshield due to it stalling, taking it in on wednesday, hope they take care of it!!

#158 of 980 2001 GP GT w/ 60K miles - Noise when idling... by theupsetter

Apr 15, 2005 (6:38 am)

I bought this car used in 2003. ONE month later I had to have the transmission replaced. I'm so glad I bought an extended warranty. I had the serpentine belt replaced yesterday because it was cracked. I thought this may have been the cause of the noise, because it would make it even when I turned the wheel. As soon as I made a left turn this morning, it started right up. It's a constant whining sound. I really like the car, but this is getting old. Anyone know what this is about? I'd like to have an idea of what it might be before I take it to a dealer.

#159 of 980 Re: Engine seized [gmvictim] by ktell

Apr 16, 2005 (7:16 am)

Replying to: gmvictim (Dec 14, 2002 3:08 pm)
I am shocked that there are not more replies to this message! This is not just a Pontiac problem but a GM problem with their 3800 engines. It is a problem with the upper intake plenum gasket that GM refuses to recall. The low coolant light came on and took it in to our GM dealer because it needed an oil change anyway. $669 later, I got my car back. Luckily I didn't hurt the engine but it did ruin the water pump. I asked the service manager why this plenum part is not a recall and he said that it was GM's call to make and that it probably hasn't been recalled because it isn't a safety issue. Not to mention that GM dealers are making millions on repairs because of this faulty part. My Lumina only has 72K on it. I recently purchased a 97 Grand Prix with 70K and a 3800. I asked the dealer if this engine was going to do the same thing and his answer was, "most likely!"
BUYER BEWARE OF THE 3800 SERIES II ENGINES! I have coworkers who have had the same problem with their engines! One of them was much worse than mine because their engine froze. The other tried to restart their engine and cracked the starter. This is not a Pontiac or Lumina problem - but a GM design problem with the upper intake plenum gasket. GM refuses to do anything about it. Naturally, when I bought my 99 Lumina I also bought the extended warranty - but it ran out 3 months prior to this failure.

Messages Page 16 of 98

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