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Pontiac Grand Prix Electrical/Lighting

226 messages,  Last post on May 07, 2013 at 3:40 PM

You are in the Pontiac Grand Prix Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Prix, Lights, Electrical, Sedan

Messages Page 20 of 23

#187 of 226 Re: information center [gmcustsvc] by motorcity6

May 14, 2011 (11:21 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (May 06, 2011 9:23 am)
2006 GPGT is on it's 4th battery at 57,362 miles. No malfunctions noted on information panel, no red lights, just dead..Purchased car used from local Caddy dealer w/4300 miles on 6/30/2007..Original battery was replaced 75 miles, and I had that battery replaced at Darby Buick around 30k, and now it is gone..Car is driven about 40 miles daily, garaged, and not abused..
 
Having owned 53 cars in my lifetime, this car is a pain..My 1998 Olds Intrigue which GM repurchased at 26k miles was less of a problem..My 2002 Intrigue original battery died around 100k..The hot Florida weather takes it's toll.
 
Update, car started, charging at 15 volts..had to reset the year, month and date..It sounded a little wimpy on the cranking cycle, so something on the charging side is probably amiss..
 
Darby Buick in Venice, Fla was my dealer until they gave me a "freebie alignment check", installed 4 new Hankook and the rears flat spotted within 6000 miles, and I junked the tires. Installed 4 new T-rated Michelin Harmony tires and had the local Chevy dealer realign the car, of course the rear struts had to be reslotted.. The Buick dealer would not take the responsibility for the "phony alignment" causing the rear tires to "flat spot"..so they are on my list of dealers to avoid.. They also do "Road Force Balancing" which requires skill and their lack of skill in conjunction with the alignment fiasco cost me a few hundred bucks..
 
The Grand Prix GT comes with H-rated tires due to the 135+ top end, however the Harmony tires inflated to 36# cold handle the high end and last alot longer..50k+ miles...
 
When the 2nd battery failed, I was at a cemetery on a late Sunday afternoon and GM road service did the scene, and I was able to drop the car off at the dealer Sunday evening..Left instructions and Darby service mgr wanted $300 for the battery when I arrived to pick up the car..Not a chance of getting any money out of me for it was totally covered by warranty..When the 2002 Olds Intrigue battery died, AAA picked the car up and took it to Palm Chev in Ocala on a Saturday morn and I picked it up couple hrs later with a new GM battery installed for less than $200..
 
I think the Pontiac is up for disposal if a quick solution isn't found for dead batteries, ain't worth the grief..Sold my 2010 Mustang GT last week for I want the new 5.0 Stang Conv w/track pkg..About 60% of cars owned have been GM, however, times are changing..Electrical problems are best left to the next owner to solve..for it is usually a series of check writing paying for another "bad call"..

#188 of 226 4th Battery-2006 Grand Prix GT by motorcity6

May 17, 2011 (8:20 am)

Darby Buick installed the last 2 batteries both with 7 yr Warranties, however the previous battery installed 21,500 miles was free, so I paid for the 7yr deal this time, today..The upside is the next battery is "free"..The outgoing 7yr battery lasted 34 mos..GM's quality shines again..
 
The heat in Florida is a killer, and most of my driving in retirement is not freeway speeds, but local stop & go..with the average around 40 miles daily..
 
All electrical systems are good, no problems, a/c is great, and the supercharged 260 hp V-6 likes to rock and on I-75..It gets the triple digit speedo test every available opportunity, so we shall keep this car for a few more thousand miles..The truck holds 4 golf bags whereas the Mustang truck is not that roomy, but offers positive vibs in the driving area..Nothing beats a V-8 upfront and RWD, the rumble is pleasing to the ears..
 
Heads up all you Grand Prix fans, don't spend alot of money chasing problems on old cars, sell it and update your ride for driving pleasure and piece of mind..Compared to the great Pontiacs of yore, the W-body version is a joke..I had 3 GPs of the mid-70's era with big-block V-8s, and they were movers..The old 3.8 engine doesn't compare..The S/C 3.8 is okay and comes alive at the higher end...
 
Good luck on the finding the cure....................

#189 of 226 Re: information center [motorcity6] by gmcustsvc

May 19, 2011 (2:03 pm)

Replying to: motorcity6 (May 14, 2011 11:21 am)
motorcity6,
I understand and apologize for your frustration. Have you spoke with Customer Assistance? Has the dealer involved technical assistance? I look forward to your response.
Christina
GM Customer Service

#190 of 226 Re: information center [gmcustsvc] by motorcity6

May 22, 2011 (6:20 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (May 19, 2011 2:03 pm)
Thanks for the reply, and I don't think the dealer has involved any GM technical assistance..The car is out of warranty, so any interest by the dealer to get GM involved is not worth the dealer's time..This dealer was a Pontiac outlet prior to GM shakeup, however the volume of Pontiacs sold in this area seems to have been quite small..
 
I use a small 2-man shop started by ex-GM mechanics who are well versed and the main owner was employed by this GM dealer..This small shop is a "Tire Rack" installer and an expert on balancing which is one of my hangups to fun motoring..I strive for "shake-free" driving for having spent years in fast lane, I will not tolerate vibration..
 
Next Friday I have an appt for oil change and tire rotation at this small shop along with checking out the battery cables at the starter for corrosion..Also there is some creaking in the front end under initial acceleration which is part of the platform eng/tran setup common to the W body, a cheap alternate to regular eng/tran mounting systems..
 
At 57k miles, I am still on the original brakes with no signs of warped rotors, and this small shop is great on brake repair, had a Camry done here, and a Jeep Cherokee in the last year..The biggest cause of rotor problems is the over tighting of lug nuts..

#191 of 226 More GPGT glitches!!!!! by motorcity6

May 24, 2011 (8:53 am)

The 6-way seat in the 06 GPGT is now 2-way...and my 16 yr old grandson's 99 GPGT coupe is on the fritz with a bad tranny, shift between 1st and 2nd is rough..mileage is around 110k..I told my son inlaw not to buy the car, but he knows all and now he can pay to get the junker fixed..
 
My seat problem in the 06 GT is no big problem, just a another sign of lack of quality...

#192 of 226 2006 Grand Prix Steering Knuckle Recall???? by motorcity6

May 26, 2011 (10:54 am)

I assume that GM customer service can give us the vin #s of those affected cars, or a website where we can research..

#193 of 226 Re: 2006 Grand Prix Steering Knuckle Recall???? [motorcity6] by kirstie_h HOST

May 27, 2011 (9:04 am)

Replying to: motorcity6 (May 26, 2011 10:54 am)
Not sure this one affects a specific VIN range - I usually see that info if it's available. Here's the info on that recall:
http://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenance/recalls.html?year=2006&make=&model=&style- Id=100543801&engCode=6VSCG3.8&transCode=AUTOMATIC&mileage=68000&zip=64075&type=r- ecall

#194 of 226 Re: 2006 Grand Prix Steering Knuckle Recall???? [motorcity6] by gmcustsvc

Jun 01, 2011 (7:55 am)

Replying to: motorcity6 (May 26, 2011 10:54 am)
motorcity6,
 
I can check for recalls with the VIN, but I am not aware of a list of those affected, nor do I know of a public website where you can get this information. If you would like for me to check if your vehicle has a recall, just email me your VIN.
 
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service

#195 of 226 Re: 2006 Grand Prix Steering Knuckle Recall???? [gmcustsvc] by motorcity6

Jun 02, 2011 (1:20 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Jun 01, 2011 7:55 am)
I did on 6/1/11..Thanks for the help...................!!!!!!!!!!

#196 of 226 Re: 2006 Grand Prix Steering Knuckle Recall???? [kirstie_h] by motorcity6

Jun 02, 2011 (1:28 pm)

Replying to: kirstie_h (May 27, 2011 9:04 am)
Thanks for the help, and I emailed GM with the Vin#...The knuckle was manufactured by Dorman and only appears on less than a 1000 cars..
 
Had a steering knuckle replaced on a 2002 Olds Intrigue at around 100k..original owner..Chevy dealer spotted the problem. No loss of control or frt shake..

Messages Page 20 of 23

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