Ask the Car People.SM


Pontiac Grand Am: Fix or Trade???

25 messages,  Last post on Aug 23, 2007 at 6:11 PM

You are in the Pontiac Grand Am Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Am, Engine

Messages Page 1 of 3

#1 of 25 Fix or Trade??? by dianna52092

Aug 12, 2006 (6:48 pm)

I currently own a 2000 Pontiac GrandAm GT - scheduled to be paid off in September 06'. My dilemma is this:
 
Over the past few months the car has developed several problems, with the main problem right now being the head gasket needing replaced. I have had problems for a little while with having to add coolant regularly and not sure why. The pontiac garage says that they pressure tested it and the head gasket needs changed - Cost $400. Ok, how nice to add on top of the $600 I'm putting out to replace the "Quickshock" assembley because the springs broke and the $200 for - yet - another bearing.
Anyway, I am being told that I shouldn't have anything to worry about because it seems it's just the gasket - they didn't take the cap off to check the oil, told me to check when I get home and check for white discoloration. When I checked it at home - it's has a whitish "film" to it???? They told me as long as the oil doesn't have water in it the gasket replacement would fix the problem; Otherwise it could be worse - whatever that means!
 
HISTORY: The car does have 155,000 miles on it - Yes, I run A LOT!! So guess I should be thankful for the first motor repair not happening sooner. I have had every other problem that is listed on this forum regarding the grand am - from the "wont start" to the "head gasket" (all fixed, some multiple times).
 
Do I fix it or trade it. Can anyone give me a little insight on how long they think this car will last. The garage says the motors are not know to go - if maintained, they could run forever. I really had NO INTENTION of taking on another car payment, just looking forward to paying this one off!!!!

#2 of 25 Fuel sensor or fuel pump by brendabud1

Aug 13, 2006 (10:17 am)

Have a 94 grand am that will not start. Ran for a few weeks, stalled on the way home one day...parked it and now won't start...it turns over so it is not the starter or solenoid...I am thinking fuel pump, filter or sensor...can anyone give me a clue and also do not want to go to a garage to fix...want to do it at home...any help in that department would be appreciated too...just need to know where to locate them...we can do the rest...thanks for any help

#3 of 25 Re: Fuel sensor or fuel pump [brendabud1] by ss3

Aug 13, 2006 (12:54 pm)

Replying to: brendabud1 (Aug 13, 2006 10:17 am)
My son's 2002 Grand Am would not start. I had a mechanic check it and he put on a new fuel filter, didn't help. He checked many other things and said it had something to do with the computer so he recommended I take it to the dealership. I had it towed to the dealership and they said it was the anti-thief security device, that the computer had to be reset. It worked fine after that..for a couple weeks and then one day it would not start again. I searched on the Internet and found some others that had had the same problems. We did what they suggested and it started up fine. Hopefully this will help you. I have listed below some of the comments I found. Hope it works for you.
 
_______________________________________________
The security system prevents me from starting the car. Has left me stranded on several occasions. Needs to be towed in and have the computer 'reset'.
Very simple fix, just turn your key to the on postion, wait for the security light to stop flashing (approx:10 min.) then start your car.
Remember if you lock your car with the remote do not unlock your doors with the key the car will never start it's a safety feature.
________________________________________________
 
I too have a 2002 pontiac grand am...the first time I had this problem I thought it was a sensor of some sort, had the car towed. My mechanic pointed out that while the key was turned to the on position the security blinked.. manual instructs that you leave the key in the on position for 10 min and it should stop blinking then it once it stops turn the key to the off position and with out taking the key out turn it to crank the car on, for me it was more like 15 min, So if you have the problem leave the key in the on position an just wait. Solution:Also replaced the tumbler. Pontiac should recall the tumbler the thing cost me $250 to replace.
________________________________________
 
I found that the only way to solve this problem is to take it to a dealership. I went to 7 mechanics who "reset" the computer. This is only a short-term solution and will actually end up costing you more. I just got my 2002 Pontiac Grand Am fixed. They had to replace the cylinder and a switch. Total cost? Roughly $600.00.

#4 of 25 Re: Fuel sensor or fuel pump [ss3] by brendabud1

Aug 13, 2006 (1:56 pm)

Replying to: ss3 (Aug 13, 2006 12:54 pm)
Thanks for the help...I am going to go out and try it now...this is my son's car as well...need it running for school...I'll let you know how it turns out...thanks again!!

#5 of 25 Pontiac Grand Am - Help by dianna52092

Aug 16, 2006 (7:44 pm)

I currently own a 2000 Pontiac GrandAm GT - scheduled to be paid off in September 06'. My dilemma is this:
  
Over the past few months the car has developed several problems, with the main problem right now being the head gasket needing replaced. I have had problems for a little while with having to add coolant regularly and not sure why. The pontiac garage says that they pressure tested it and the head gasket needs changed - Cost $400. Ok, how nice to add on top of the $600 I'm putting out to replace the "Quickshock" assembley because the springs broke and the $200 for - yet - another bearing.
Anyway, I am being told that I shouldn't have anything to worry about because it seems it's just the gasket - they didn't take the cap off to check the oil, told me to check when I get home and check for white discoloration. When I checked it at home - it's has a whitish "film" to it???? They told me as long as the oil doesn't have water in it the gasket replacement would fix the problem; Otherwise it could be worse - whatever that means!
  
HISTORY: Bought the car in 2002 - The car does have 155,000 miles on it - bought at 36,000 Yes, I run A LOT!! So guess I should be thankful for the first motor repair not happening sooner. I have had every other problem that is listed on this forum regarding the grand am - from the "wont start" to the "head gasket" (all fixed, some multiple times).
  
Do I fix it or trade it. Can anyone give me a little insight on how long they think this car will last. The garage says the motors are not know to go - if maintained, they could run forever. I really had NO INTENTION of taking on another car payment, just looking forward to paying this one off!!!!

#6 of 25 Re: Pontiac Grand Am - Help [dianna52092] by burdawg

Aug 17, 2006 (7:01 am)

Replying to: dianna52092 (Aug 16, 2006 7:44 pm)
In my opinion it's time trade on something newer. From this point on you will probably put more into maintenance than you will get out. There's no such thing as a motor that will last forever, and besides that what's next?

#7 of 25 Re: Fuel sensor or fuel pump [ss3] by sabrinam

Oct 10, 2006 (6:54 pm)

Replying to: ss3 (Aug 13, 2006 12:54 pm)
Thanks so much for the tip. My husband was stranded at work tonite because the POS car would not start, I told him to leave the key in until the light stopped blinking and then try to start the car and it worked!!! You saved us alot of money in towing and repairs that we do not have. Thank you so much!

#8 of 25 just got a 2002 grand am gt ! help by natalie4

Oct 14, 2006 (7:09 am)

i just got a 2002 grand am gt and i have a problem already. everytime i make a left turn i feel and hear something under the drivers side floor hit. i took it back to the dealer and they dont have a cklue what it could be. they replaced my left, front control arm and that was not the problem. any ideas??

#9 of 25 Turn signal problem by shinealite

Oct 20, 2006 (12:17 pm)

I own a 95 Grand Am and the left turn signal blinks rapidly and none of the left turn signals burn brightly. The right signals and flashers work ok.
 
We tried changing the bulb but it didn't solve the problem. I also notice the radio light blinks in conjuction with the left turn signal.
 
What needs to be done to fix this problem?

#10 of 25 should i fix or trade? please help by damngrandam

Oct 26, 2006 (6:07 pm)

When i first got my 99 grand am se with 38,000 miles i thought it was a sweet car i liked the style it had going for it and have had many dreams of things that i wanted to do to fix it up. But now its just so many small things went wrong with it i dont know if i want to invest anymore money in this car or not..... beginning to wonder now if i should fix or trade or sell.... the car is paid off completely but the kelly blue book is only like $3,500-$4,000 private party sell or $2,800-$3,200 trade in.... now do i fix whats wrong with the car or get something else and runaway from grand ams all together after seeing the stupid things that can go wrong with them... i have i experienced several problems with this car which as i been reading so have other people.... list of problems so far....
1. my seat motor thing that adjust the seat hight went out..
2. my turn signals/ hazard light switch has a mind of its own it goes crazy on me... clicks when ever the hell it fells like.. very annoying.. but not major yet
 
3. Driver side window broke... the piece the connects the pulley to the window that pulls the window up or down or something broke off along with several other plastic pieces that broke too.. the cables inside are all tangled up i dont know know if " I " can fix that myself or not since all that crap is hard to get too inside the door... i have notice a number of grand ams with window problems too though.. should of got the manual windows...
4. ABS lights comes on alot... i need new struts and shocks but i dont know if i can tackle that one by myself( i live in an apartment which makes it kinda difficult to work on your car ) i mean it rides rough like i got 20in rims or something but i dont... u fell every bump... i think i'm looking at about $600 dollars or more to get my suspension back to a "semi smooth" ride
5. my passenger side window broke just like my driver side did dammit... so in the summer time u know i got the ac on all the time lol... now i have two broken windows that dont wanna stay up.. i managed to shuve a blanket inside both my door 4 when the window falls it dont fall all the way and i can pull it back up. Now i just hope that my back windows dont break also.. so now i gotta get both of them fixed... i wonder if it would b cheaper to find a 2 doors off another grand am in a salvage yard but i dont know
 
6. my brakes or abs have somthing wrong with them... its like when i go to stop sometimes i have to roll though stop signs... its like the pedal gives out but not really and it seems like the brakes delay a few seconds b4 it stops almost like the car goes into nuetral but not really... i dont know
7. no hard turns 4 my grand am anymore.. when i turn not TOO fast but kinda fast or hard or even when im pressing the back to turn into a parking spot the suspension? or auto arm? or power steering or something i really dont know... but it makes a "buzzing" sound or a "heeellpp me dont turn so hard cry" but i mean i dont turn that hard though
8. my transmission is goin out... well i think it is... it is now making a hard banging noise inbtween shifts and has been getting worst latly.... yes the car has 95,000miles but damn is it time 4 a new engine already or whats next the head gasket blowing and whats that another $1000-$2000 int the future...
 
9. Oh and my keys comes out when the car is in acc or on or running... b4 it would only come out on off... i guess its a good thing that i can take my keys out and leave the radio on lol... but its not suspose to do that...
if i were to add up all the cost of the repairs i might as well trade it in 4 something newer but should i just try to fix it and it may not b as expensize as i think... i dont know??...does any one have any comments or suggustions

Messages Page 1 of 3

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement