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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 31 of 33

#297 of 321 Re: car wont start [redneckwife] by kirstie_h HOST

Jul 05, 2012 (7:42 am)

Replying to: redneckwife (Jul 04, 2012 10:40 pm)
As Mr_Shiftright mentioned, it is probably the battery. If you have never replaced the battery, then that's a good place to start. Even when the battery is *almost* dead, sometimes there's enough juice to make the dash lights light up, because that takes very little, whereas starting the vehicle takes a lot more juice. Before you go on a hunting expedition for other issues, you should replace the battery (if you haven't in a few years), or at least clean the connections.

#298 of 321 Re: Car stalls while driving [reddash1] by jepier01

Jul 05, 2012 (8:07 am)

Replying to: reddash1 (Jun 03, 2012 11:44 am)
I have a 2001 Grand Am (V6), with 131,000 miles on it. Mine drove mine about 40 minutes, then stalled but radio and gauges were all still working, so pulled off to the side of the road and stopped, battery and oil pressure lights came on. Shut it off and waited about 1 minute and it started right back up. Drove fine after that, but check engine light came on so had my mechanic do a computer check on it for the error. He checked everything out, battery, wiring, fuel pump, etc., and didn't find anything, but the computer was reporting a CAM error. He checked that out too and said it was fine, but my car was below a 1/4th of a tank when it happened. Grand Am's are notorious for dropping the CAM around 150,000 miles though, so I'm wondering if that's about to happen in the future. Mechanic said that there are actually two of them in the Grand Am, so if just one goes out then you'll still be able to drive it but get it to the shop ASAP. He reset the computer and it ran fine for the next 6 months or so, then it did it again on another long road trip and once again I was getting around that 1/4th a tank mark. Started right back up again and went the rest of the trip (about an hour) just fine. Drove great for another 3 or 4 months, then just yesterday on a 4 hour trip it did it multiple times, but again I had 1/8th a tank and was cutting it close the last part of the trip when it did it about 6 times. Weird, because my radio, blinkers, headlights, and gauges all still work, its just like the fuel pump goes out (had that happen with my last truck). I gave it more gas while messing with the blinkers to see if they still worked, and it stuttered a little bit then started back up on its own without even stopping the car, so I'm wondering if when it just gets that low on fuel it gets air or something in the fuel pump or line and causes it to stall, because pushing on the gas pedal a couple times was making it start itself back up while I was still driving on the highway. Might have the fuel pump and/or filter checked out again, seeing as it's been a good year and a half since I've had my mechanic check it out, and keep it above a quarter tank of gas

#299 of 321 Re: Car stalls while driving [jepier01] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 05, 2012 (10:40 am)

Replying to: jepier01 (Jul 05, 2012 8:07 am)
Nah, I think it's electronic from the symptoms you report. I think the 1/4 gas tank is correlation, not causation.

#300 of 321 Re: Problem Starting Engine [skill34] by mojo72

Jul 12, 2012 (8:59 am)

Replying to: skill34 (Apr 18, 2012 10:54 am)
My car did this several times (sporadically) in which I had it towed to a service station. I was told it was my security feature which was expensive to replace - so I just crossed my fingers. After the third tow, a lady who worked at the service station was nice enough to tell me I could "fix" this myself. Here is what you do when it doesn't start: Turn your key three times to the "on" position (but not turning it over to start it). On the third time, leave it in the "on" position. Your dash lights will quit flashing, except for your security light. It takes about 10 minutes, but when the security light quits flashing - turn your key to the "off" position, and then try starting it. It works everytime (so far).

#301 of 321 Re: PLEASE HELP!!! [drhrejsa] by czbabyda1

Jul 28, 2012 (11:01 am)

Replying to: drhrejsa (Oct 26, 2009 12:43 pm)
sounds like safety neutral switch sorry late post just answering for someone else with the same problem in the future

#302 of 321 starting issues by ssaleengirlz

Aug 03, 2012 (8:52 am)

I have a 2005 Pontiac grand am. It runs great…. But about 2 weeks ago, I noticed that it would only start when it was cold outside. (usually in the morning) then later in the afternoon when I went to leave to go home. The car would struggle to start. I was parked in the shade, because I noticed when I would try to start it in the afternoon and it was hot outside, it would take 3 or 4 starts to get it running. The last time I went to start it in the afternoon, the electric locks, flickered back and forth twice. Then the car just wouldn’t start at all. The next morning after leaving it sitting all night…. Started again, which then I took it to the mechanic, who thought it was the fuel pump, so that was replace. That didn’t work…. So then he replaced the battery. That didn’t work. There is no check engine light or anything that comes on. Everything runs it normal sequence when trying to start it. well after having the car for three weeks, he has given up and told me that it is the security system and I would need to take it to the dealer. What do you think?

#303 of 321 Re: starting issues [ssaleengirlz] by kirstie_h HOST

Aug 03, 2012 (9:14 am)

Replying to: ssaleengirlz (Aug 03, 2012 8:52 am)
Hm... I am NOT a mechanic, but you might want to check our Grand Am Security Passlock discussion. That link will take you to posts near the end of the discussion, but you might want to start a few pages back and read other owners' symptoms, and the advice provided to them to fix it. Since a mechanic said it was the security system, the "cut the white wire" solution mentioned there MAY be the fix for your problem, and it is a free, do-it-yourself job.
 
I can't say that that is the problem, but it's probably worth reading that discussion, and perhaps posting over there too.

#304 of 321 Re: starting issues [ssaleengirlz] by gmcustsvcsarah

Aug 04, 2012 (2:38 pm)

Replying to: ssaleengirlz (Aug 03, 2012 8:52 am)
If you decide to work with a dealership, please keep us updated on your progress. If you would like for us to look into anything further, please contact us at socialmediagm.com (include your name, contact information, and the last 8 of your VIN).
 
Sarah, GM Customer Service

#305 of 321 Re: starting issues [ssaleengirlz] by hunter133

Aug 06, 2012 (12:27 pm)

Replying to: ssaleengirlz (Aug 03, 2012 8:52 am)
I am having the same problem down to the door unlocks activating, I would really like to know what you find out. Everyone I talk to tells me it's my fuel pump, but I tryed bypassing the fuel pump relay when it is hot outside and the doors just unlock. I tryed this when it was cold and the fuel pump kicks in no problem. Does this mean that it is my fuel pump? And it does not work when it's hot outside? Or is there other relays or kill switches that tie in after the relay? Does anyone know what I can do to eliminate all other possibilities? Thanks Chris

#306 of 321 Re: starting issues [hunter133] by hunter133

Aug 24, 2012 (5:04 am)

Replying to: hunter133 (Aug 06, 2012 12:27 pm)
A friend of mine from out of town, who is also a mechanic, went through the car with me and we figured it was the ignition switch. Changed it out and no more problems.
Chris

Messages Page 31 of 33

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