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Pontiac Grand Am Starting/Stalling Problems

321 messages,  Last post on Apr 22, 2013 at 8:52 AM

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What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Am, Electrical, Sedan

Messages Page 29 of 32

#281 of 321 2002 Pontiac Grand Am Stalling while driving by jar410

Mar 28, 2012 (1:17 pm)

My car recently started stalling when I would stop at a stop sign or stop light, so I initially thought it was the battery, and went to get that replaced. A few days later it wouldn't start up right away, so I decided to take it to the dealership. The dealership said the fuel pump and fuel filter needed to be replaced, so I got them replaced and it drove fine for about a day, until it stalled out again going down a hill in my parking garage at work. I then had the car towed back to the shop and the mechanic said the first fuel pump was bad, so they had to replace it. It staled again that night turning a corner, so I had it towed to the shop again, and they said they needed to replace the ignition module, so I got that and the crank shaft position sensor replaced. I figured everything they needed to replace was replaced. Well I thought wrong, I took the car home, and then drove it to a friends house that night. On my way home, my car stalled once again at a stop light, and wouldn't start back up for about 45 min. I really want to figure out what the problem is, so I can stop wasting money. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

#282 of 321 Same problem as everyone else! by illadelf

Mar 29, 2012 (11:22 pm)

Wow! So I have come here in the past and everyone has been extremely helpful. Just read through nearly every page on this topic, and once again, it seems that many of my fellow "Am" owners are experiencing the same problem as I am.
 
My car started doing this whole stalling thing sometime last summer. I had a new fuel filter put in, and the problem stopped for the most part. Just recently it started back up, and is having no mercy on me. When it initially began happening, it was only at low speeds and I was always fortunately on back roads. This past week it started happening on the highway a couple of times.
 
I can't continue to drive this thing around because I'm putting myself and others in danger. Got it towed the other day and like others have said, it of course started right up when we got there. They couldn't find any problems with it, said the fuel pressure was fine, etc., etc. If it's an easy fix such as the wiring, I'd love to be able to do something myself. If it's going to cost me a good amount of money, I've had this thing for 10 years and it's time to say Sayonara.
 
It doesn't seem like there is a clear cut answer to the problem, and many have spent money on fixing parts to no avail. There has really been no consistency to when it happens (i.e., what speed I'm going) the only thing I am thinking that might make a difference is it seems to happen more when the gas is low (below 1/4 tank). The other crazy thing is that when it does stall out and doesn't want to start back up, if I shake the car it magically turns on. So before I get rid of my baby once and for all, does anyone have any answers or do you think this is a big money problem?? Thanks guys!
 
Jon

#283 of 321 Re: Same problem as everyone else! [illadelf] by doofus54

Apr 04, 2012 (10:01 pm)

Replying to: illadelf (Mar 29, 2012 11:22 pm)
this sounds similar to, but not exactly like a bad crank angle sensor. it will work ok cold, but after the engine is at full temp it will fail. after some cooldown time it will start again, but usually only for a short time. it can be intermittent and maddening to diagnose. if you don't want to buy a new one (prices have about doubled since pontiac was murdered) go to your fav junkyard and pick up a couple; if they both work you have a spare. parts are plentiful and most years, if not all are interchangeable. at pull a part about 5 bucks each. the sensor is located above and just right of the oil filter on 4 cyl motors. don't have a clue on v6's. the shaking the car thing, if not a coincidence, may indicate a fuel pick up problem, or water in the tank. has the fuel pump been checked? is your area in its wet season right now? if so, it could be electrical. find every connector in the path of the ignition and fuel system and work them several times, including the relay. if you get under the car, use jack stands. good luck. and i forgot to mention the easiest thing. make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight. weird things can happen if corroded or loose.

#284 of 321 Re: Same problem as everyone else! [illadelf] by doofus54

Apr 04, 2012 (9:57 pm)

Replying to: illadelf (Mar 29, 2012 11:22 pm)
and i forgot to mention the easiest thing. make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight. weird things can happen if corroded or loose.

#285 of 321 Re: 2002 Pontiac Grand Am Stalling while driving [jar410] by jar410

Apr 17, 2012 (10:49 am)

Replying to: jar410 (Mar 28, 2012 1:17 pm)
So my mechanic finally figured out what the problem was $1,000 later. He replaced the ignition switch that controls the cars electrical system, and that seemed to do the trick. It will run you around $265, but my car has been running great since that. I hope this will help some people.

#286 of 321 Problem Starting Engine by skill34

Apr 18, 2012 (10:54 am)

03, pontiac grand am 3.4 liter engine. Hard to start. There is no check engine light or trouble codes present. Turn the key and everything sounds find as the engine is turning to start but it does't start. After the 5th attempt it almost started and on the 6th attempt I pressed on the gas and it started. Just for a brief second it sputtered and then the idle went back to normal. Any info on what could be causing this?

#287 of 321 thanks by doofus54

Apr 18, 2012 (11:51 pm)

thanks for the info. thats one to remember

#288 of 321 All electrical, but it wont start by mandijeanv

May 23, 2012 (1:07 pm)

I was reading through these to see if anyone had the same problem and I came close to the one by skill34. The car; 2000 Grand AM, V6, will act like it will turn on i.e. lights ignition all that jazz, but the car will not start. I was spraying ignition fluid into the intake manifold and that worked, twice. I am down to just over a tank of gas and I have to park the car pointed down hill for the stupid thing to start. If it is parked up hill, it will not start at all. Any help would be great, Thanks!

#289 of 321 mandijeanv by doofus54

May 23, 2012 (8:31 pm)

that is typical of a car low on gas. are you sure the gas gauge is accurate? If it wont start where it is, pour 2 gallons of gas in and see if it starts. start or not, this is likely a fuel pickup problem. have the line pressure checked, and make sure the pressure does not drop off quickly when the engine stops. check all fuel lines / connectors. less likely a cracked fuel line in the tank letting air in or fuel out. if you check make sure to look into the pump housing also . other possibilities are water in the tank, clogged inlet filter(s), or an intermittent pump. on that point, do you hear the pump run for about a second when you turn the key to "run"? if not, you have an electrical problem, or a pump is in your future. good luck.

#290 of 321 Car stalls while driving by reddash1

Jun 03, 2012 (11:44 am)

I own a Grand Am 1999, 6 cylinder. My car stops running while I'm driving. I've been having this problem since April and it's getting worse. When my vehicle stops, I would easily start it again, but now I can't even get it to start after it stops. Every time it stops, both the battery and oil pressure lights come on. I had the battery replaced sometime in May. The fuel pump is fine.
Any help is appreciated!

Messages Page 29 of 32

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