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Pontiac Grand Prix Engine fires 3800 series II 1996-2003

317 messages,  Last post on Nov 11, 2009 at 3:42 PM

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#285 of 317 Re: '02 Pontiac Grand Am not starting [sickofpontiacs] by tommy231 Mar 31, 2009 (6:27 pm)
Replying to: sickofpontiacs (Mar 31, 2009 12:16 pm) No offense meant... but how was a bad fuel pump confused with a bad ignition switch? There should never be the need to replace a fuel pump unless it is confirmed to be malfunctioning through proper diagnosis. This is true of all makes and models.   At minimum, you'll need a manual with an accurate schematic, a volt meter, and a fuel pressure gauge to root-cause a fuel system problem. If you think GM cars are difficult to diagnose, wait until you have a break-down on a foreign car and try to troubleshoot that yourself.   Many of that era GM cars were recalled due to an ignition switch problem. If it has that problem it is also a serious fire hazard. My 97 Grand Am was recalled for this. Call the dealer to find out about recalls. You'll need the VIN so they can look it up. A very recent recall notice may not yet show-up in their system, but usually a car that old has no recent recalls. One exception to this is the recall this forum is the subject of.   If you must troubleshoot your own vehicles, regardless of the make or model, you'll always need a credible service manual, such as a genuine OEM manual or an online service subscription. The days when you could troubleshoot a car without a manual went away with carburetors.   My suggestion for a service subscription is www.alldatadiy.com. It is cheap (~$17 per vehicle) and it is electronically searchable, making it better than any paper document. Alldatadiy will also show you pertinent recalls and technical service bulletins.
#286 of 317 Re: 2003 Grand Prix GTP on fire [grngtp] by sly_guy Apr 09, 2009 (6:16 am)
Replying to: grngtp (Mar 08, 2009 5:05 pm) Thanks Jeff, no I never recieved the recall notice. GM says it probably because I purchased the vehicle used and GM system of owner addresses might not be up to date. GM sent an investigator out to inspect the vehicle and take pictures three weeks after the fire. In the meantime i'm paying storage fees to have the vehicle stored until the claim is complete; as the Pontiac dealer says they have nowhere to store the vehicle. Now GM says as in INDIANA "the Manufacturer is only responsible for defects for 4 years after the original purchase date". I wonder if they would feel responsible if there was a fatality in this case. However, GM says they will process a claim because there is an active recall. Depending on the outcome of this claim, this could possibly be the last GM vehicle I ever purchase. I'm just waiting to see if General Motors stand by their product.....   Keep you posted, sly_guy
#287 of 317 Newb with a Supercharged 3.8L V-6 Question by mack1a Apr 13, 2009 (3:41 pm)
My son called today, and informed me of GM's Recall.   Thing is, I have an '03 Bonneville SSEI with the same engine. Can anyone shed some light on if this Recall would involve my car? I bought this vehicle new and all maintainance has been done by the Dealership. Replies to this message: desi521 (Apr 13, 2009 6:07 pm) cam1969 (Apr 14, 2009 6:26 am) mack1a (Apr 14, 2009 7:19 am) sly_guy (Apr 14, 2009 11:08 am)
#288 of 317 Re: Newb with a Supercharged 3.8L V-6 Question [mack1a] by desi521 Apr 13, 2009 (6:07 pm)
Replying to: mack1a (Apr 13, 2009 3:41 pm) Newb, yep, your car is included in the recall! Just think, you could be in my position. I already had my Z burn to the ground due to the 3800 back in 04. Then I buy a '99 Grand Prix w/3800 series & I also own a '99 Bonneville w/a 3800. Gee, ya think I'm gonna be spending some time at the dealership? I'm not too happy, especially since I've been having major probs w/my GP. The stupid thing keeps cutting out on me when I take off from stop signs/lights & I couldn't tell you how many times I've almost been rear-ended becuz my car died! Hopefully it's all related cuz its not throwing a code either. I wish you luck Newb. I think we're all going to need it!!! Replies to this message: cam1969 (Apr 14, 2009 6:26 am) mack1a (Apr 14, 2009 7:19 am) sly_guy (Apr 14, 2009 11:08 am)
#289 of 317 Re: Engine fires 3800 series II 1996-2003 [grngtp] by cruster68 Apr 13, 2009 (8:49 pm)
Replying to: grngtp (Mar 17, 2009 3:05 pm) The recall is NOT only for supercharged engines. Last Mon Apr 6th, I was driving to my daughters school to pick her up. I drive through the neighborhood the whole way there. Half way there, I smelled something burning. Got to a stop sign, and smoke was pouring from the front of the car. No engine lights. Nothing. I pulled the car over, turned it off, and got out to inspect it. I looked under the hood, and the ground was on fire. I'm not sure what was burning. Flames were dripping down from the engine compartment. Ended up calling the fire dept, and they came and put it out. Needless to say it was a bad fire. The car I had was a 99 Grand Prix GT. I've had it for 10yrs. In the last 3yrs, replaced struts, rack and pinion, tranny, starter, radiator and other misc stuff compared to this. Insurance got involved and told me it was more then likely going to be totaled with over 126k miles. Then today, Apr 13th, my friend at work calls and tells me about a massive recall. I'm like no way. So I call Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. They asked me for my VIN# to see if it was indeed part of the recall. And to my surprise and delight, it IS part of the recall. She took my information down and gave me a case number and told me that within 2 days I should be hearing from someone. They also asked for my insurance info since that's who I initially filed my claim through. If your not sure, call the above number with your vin... Good luck. Too late for me. Replies to this message: jmazz01 (Apr 14, 2009 7:09 am)
#290 of 317 Re: Newb with a Supercharged 3.8L V-6 Question [desi521] by cam1969 Apr 14, 2009 (6:26 am)
Replying to: desi521 (Apr 13, 2009 6:07 pm) I had the same problem on my daughters 01 grand prix gt of cutting out or stalling. Changed the crankshaft sensor, problem solved.
#291 of 317 Re: Engine fires 3800 series II 1996-2003 [cruster68] by jmazz01 Apr 14, 2009 (7:09 am)
Replying to: cruster68 (Apr 13, 2009 8:49 pm) I'm not replying to just cruster68. Anyone that has had a fire please make sure you read through the entire thread. There are so many of us that have dealt with GM. You will not get what you deserve from them. They will run you around and lie to you. If they tell you they will call you back, they won't. If they tell you they will contact you in a day, they won't.
#292 of 317 Re: Newb with a Supercharged 3.8L V-6 Question [desi521] by mack1a Apr 14, 2009 (7:19 am)
Replying to: desi521 (Apr 13, 2009 6:07 pm) Desi & Cruster, thanks for the info. I'll go out in the driveway and write down my VIN # and proceed from there.   I wonder if I could get a new engine outta this? Doubt it. But it'd be nice to get a brand spankin' new Supercharged engine! I can wish, can't I? Replies to this message: sly_guy (Apr 14, 2009 11:08 am)
#293 of 317 Re: Newb with a Supercharged 3.8L V-6 Question [mack1a] by sly_guy Apr 14, 2009 (11:08 am)
Replying to: mack1a (Apr 14, 2009 7:19 am) Only one thing to say "BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR".... That Supercharged engine has a lot of kinks to be worked out.. that's why it is still under recall by GM.
#294 of 317 the whole she-bang by red97gpgt Apr 14, 2009 (11:23 am)
Good news! Today a recall was issued for all 97-03 cars with the 3800 series II engine. Here is what it says:   (CNN) -- The possibility of engine fires has prompted General Motors to recall nearly 1.5 million passenger sedans manufactured between 1997 and 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Monday.   The recall covers certain mid- and full-size passenger sedans under GM's (GM, Fortune 500) Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac brands.   The recalled vehicles all have naturally aspirated 3.8 liter V6 engines -- that is, engines that uses atmospheric pressure to bring in air for combustion rather than a mechanical blower -- according to documents filed with federal regulators by GM last week.   On Friday, the federal government acknowledged the filing and agreed to the plan.   0:00 /1:14Will automakers deliver? The problem involves a potential for oil to leak on the exhaust manifold during hard braking. When a car operates under normal conditions, the manifold can get very hot. Oil that runs below the manifold's heat shield could ignite and spread to plastic channels that hold spark plug wires.   The company recommends as a solution for the problem a change in the bracket that holds spark-plug wires, which will be done free of charge. Owners and dealers affected by the new recall will be notified by letter next month with details.   The vehicles involved are 1997-2003 Buick Regals; 1998-2003 Chevrolet Luminas, Monte Carlos and Impalas; 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigues; and 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix.   GM issued a similar recall on a similar engine in 2008, according to the company's filing with the government. That problem was traced to a faulty gasket on the engine rocker cover.   First Published: April 14, 2009: 5:13 AM ET   here is the link as well http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/14/autos/gm_recall/index.htm

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