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Pontiac Montana Electrical Issues

202 messages,  Last post on Jan 10, 2013 at 4:11 AM

You are in the Pontiac Montana Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Montana, Pontiac Montana SV6, Van

Messages Page 21 of 21

#193 of 202 Re: Power window weirdo [janeyb] by vondava3

Aug 27, 2012 (7:41 am)

Replying to: janeyb (Oct 31, 2011 8:31 pm)
I too had the slow passanger window, took it in and had it repaired but it didn't last long (about 8 months). I have had this problem since 2008. Good luck to all, as they get some milage on them they have more and more issues.

#194 of 202 Re: Power window weirdo [vondava3] by gmcustsvcsarah

Aug 28, 2012 (7:29 am)

Replying to: vondava3 (Aug 27, 2012 7:41 am)
Good morning vondava3,
 
I see that you had your window repaired but that the repair didn't last - was this done at a GM dealership or at another shop? When was the repair performed? We'd be happy to check into this further if the work was performed with a GM dealership - let us know via email at socialmediagm.com (include your name, Edmunds username, phone and address, the last 8 of your VIN and mileage, and the name of your dealership).
 
Sarah, GM Customer Service

#195 of 202 no electrical power by bix49

Dec 08, 2012 (12:15 am)

The starter on my 2002 Montana quit a few days ago. Working 1 minute not working the next. I took it off and had it tested at a local parts store who confirmed it was bad. I lose all electrical power. I bought a rebuilt starter brought it home and installed it. When I tried to start the van, again nothing. In addition I lost all electrical power. nothing electrical is working.
 the battery is good and fully charged. I rechecked the connections to the starter. Checked all the fuses, Both under hood and dash mounted and they all appeared ok I am at a loss. Has any one else experienced this or does anyone have any ideas on what could have caused this total power loss?
Thanks,
bix

#196 of 202 Re: no electrical power [bix49] by labrat68

Dec 08, 2012 (2:19 am)

Replying to: bix49 (Dec 08, 2012 12:15 am)
I do not know if this will help you.
 
http://www.aztekfanclub.com/SMF/index.php?action=printpage;topic=2145.0
 
starter fusible link, relay main fuse blown, is there power to the starter?

#197 of 202 Re: no electrical power by bix49

Dec 08, 2012 (1:50 pm)

Yes, there is power to the starter but it's not associated with turning the key. The starter begins making a whirring sound when I attempt to reconnect the positive battery cable. The negative cable already being connected. I will again check the fuses and look for the fusable link you mentioned. Am I correct in thinking that the fusable link is on a separate line that connects
 to the positive side of the starter along with the cable from the battery? Also does the fuseable link do more than protect the starter circuit? I will look very thourouly for a blown main fuse. I have been thinking that there's just one thing that has caused all the power to the vehicle to go out. I'll write again with my findings. Thanks for your suggestions.
bix

#198 of 202 Re: No electrical power by bix49

Dec 08, 2012 (11:53 pm)

Well, I think I'm closing in on the problem. I tested all the relevant fuses and they were all good. It was getting a little cold by the time I finished so I wasn't able to get to the fusible link which I'm now pretty sure is causing the problem, at least with all the electrics except the starter. I hate to admit it but I believe I incorrectly reconnected the wires to the solenoid. If you're still out there labrat68 let me ask you this. The cable from the battery connects to the post on the solenoid that has the cable running into the starter. Is there another line that also connects to that post. The line with the fusible link? Once I know that I think I can get things working again. One more question. Could mis-wiring the starter like I'm pretty sure I did, damage it and cause it to malfunction. This is the second rebuilt starter I bought from the same auto parts store where the solenoid does kick the Bendix gear out without spinning it. Although it could just be my bad luck.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
bix

#199 of 202 Starting/ charging problem by bix49

Dec 27, 2012 (3:20 pm)

Hello, I've got a problem or maybe 2, with my 2002 Montana that I hope someone can give me some advice on, because it's driving me crazy. I replaced the starter and when I tried to start the van, nothing happened. I had cleaned all the connections prior to installation and made sure that the connections to the solenoid were correct. All fuses and relevant relays were checked and all were good. The battery was at full charge 12.6v. When I turn the key to the start position I can hear a click from the relay but the purple wire at the solenoid showed no power. I finally got around to jumping the starter and the van started. Checking the dash I found the battery light on. The battery was not being recharged. After a lot of reading and some phone calls, the conclusion I came to was 2 possibilities. A burned fusible link or 2? Or a bad neutral position switch. I haven't found the switch yet but the 3 other wires besides the battery cable that attach to the solenoid all appear to have fusible links. They all "appeared ok." I pulled on them and could detect no streching and I didn't feel any soft spots, but is is a little cold here and the wires are pretty stiff. Do you think I'm on the right track and what do you think I should do next? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Bix

#200 of 202 Starter problem by jeprime

Dec 27, 2012 (6:51 pm)

I failed miserably on following up with everyone. I did resolve the starter problem. I purchased a rebuilt starter and got the same results: starter just whirs, completely missing he flywheel. A friend suggested I return the rebuilt starter and pay the difference for a new one. Took the rebuilt one back, tested it to be on the safe side, and it tested fine. I installed he new stater and voila, it started right up. Had no problems with that ever since. Has something to do with hear shroud not set to properly engage with the flywheel.
 
HOWEVER....the engineers do not just fail on the lights, fuel pump, and the windows. They really messed with the stupid 3400 engine. If you start having overheating problems, I know the proper solution: junk it. It costs way too much to replace the engine, and repairs are never forever. It seems the water grooves and the oil grooves run side by side. After several years, the thin sliver of steel that separates them wears out, allowing oil to infiltrate the cooling system, and vice-versa. The only sure way to repair this is to replace the engine. That is about $1500 to $2000, depending on who you get to rob you.
 
All I can say is that the Montana was a good little van, took me all over the country, until the overheating thing started. Then, it was a short 4 months until I finally sold her to the local pull-a-part. Anyway, happy mechanic-ing.

#201 of 202 So many electrical problems, so little time.... by jeannette3

Jan 09, 2013 (1:01 pm)

Hi all. I bought my 2003 Montana new, and I have loved it for most of its life. Lately, though, I'd say in the last 2 years or so, I've started to fall out of love with many aspects of the electrical system. First, the dvd player stopped reading most of our dvds. We replaced the dvd system at the dealership, but it is still having the same problems. Then the clock display light went out. Then the driver side window started dragging when I rolled it up. The passenger side window can't be controlled by the driver side controls anymore. The traction system went out. The oil light is perpetually on...even when I get the oil changed. Within the last week, I start the van, and the radio changes to a different BAND. I have to press the BAND button to put it back on the radio. I have less than 68,000 miles on it, so I haven't driven it into the ground by any means. Any suggestions for this teacher who has little money to spend on figuring out and fixing the problems? Thanks.

#202 of 202 clock won't stay set by bix49

Jan 10, 2013 (4:11 am)

I recently had to disconnect the battery in my 2002 montana, and since the radio has the safe guard feature I though I would be writing about the codes just to get the radio to work. when I reconnected the battery the radio turned on fine. I didn't even lose the presets. I did have to reset the clock and now every time I turn the van off the clock goes back to 12:0Thanks,0. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
 
Bix

Messages Page 21 of 21

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