Sign In Join 

You are here: [F] Forums / Sedans / Pontiac Grand Am / Pontiac Grand Am Service Engine Soon / ABS / Trac Off



Pontiac Grand Am Service Engine Soon / ABS / Trac Off

101 messages,  Last post on Oct 15, 2009 at 5:46 AM

You are in the Pontiac Grand Am Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Am, Sedan


Messages Page 7 of 11
1
...
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#54 of 101
Re: 2001 Pontiac Grand Am: Service Engine Soon & Trac Off [jimsmith2354] by nrbacarl
Apr 07, 2008 (10:48 am)
Reply

Replying to: jimsmith2354 (Feb 20, 2008 7:04 pm)

I had a similar problem with my 98 Grand Am. From time to time, it also would not start. It didn't act like a dead battery, but after a battery charger indicated that it might be a bad cell int he battery, I decide to replace it. When I went to remove the terminals, I notice that the positive one was corroded on the inside and was difficult to remove. Just for kicks, I removed the bolt and cleaned it up and put it back together.
 
Not only did it start right up, the lights on the instrument panel quit coming on intermittently, the radio display stayed on all the time and the volume control started working correctly.
 
All of the electronic gizmos on cars these days are great when they are working, but they sure don't seem to tolerate voltage and current variation well!
 
Now I have to find out why the fan won't kick in all of the time, causing it to overheat... (I'm at 214K miles, by the way...)
#55 of 101
Computer/PCM by jdbonill
Apr 16, 2008 (12:30 pm)
Reply
I am not a car guy by ANY stretch of the imagination. I have recently had a lot of trouble with my RPM's being way high in idle. Took it to the mechanic, and after a bunch of repairs, he still said that I need a new computer (PCM). He wanted to charge me about 600 for just the part. I have found the part new at a much cheaper price, and was told it was easy to repair. The problem is, I cant seem to find the computer under the hood. Any advice? I have a 2001 pontiac grand am, 2.4L
#56 of 101
Re: Computer/PCM [jdbonill] by jimsmith2354
Apr 16, 2008 (7:28 pm)
Reply

Replying to: jdbonill (Apr 16, 2008 12:30 pm)

The PCM (engine computer) is under the dash above the driver's left foot. Wait 4 Me Performance http://www.wait4meperformance.com/ has PCM for about $150
If you do replace the PCM, you will need to take it somewhere to do a crank sensor relearn routine - on the 2003 3.4L engine anyway. By the way, my PCM does the same thing and the driver circuit for the idle motor seems to be the culprit - I'll know in a few days - as the PCM is getting replaced.
Jim
#57 of 101
1996 GA by scoot08
Apr 17, 2008 (8:44 am)
Reply
i have a 1996 grand am with the 2.4 in it. the car has 239000 miles on it. personally im shocked that its still on the road. well i got my tranny replaced about 1500 miles ago and it shifts kinda hard but no biggy. now my check engine light is on and flashing. i haev no idea why. i took it to autozone and they said that my air flow sensor i think is bad.. its the sensor on the throttle body...does anyone know why my light is flashing? i would advise that everyone with a GA get rid of it!!!
#58 of 101
Re: 1996 GA [scoot08] by jimsmith2354
Apr 17, 2008 (12:15 pm)
Reply

Replying to: scoot08 (Apr 17, 2008 8:44 am)

With 230K on your Grand Am, your advise to get rid of all GAs seems without logic. Most high dollar German cars usually don't go that far. AutoZone is pretty good on price, (don't buy a warranty) and they should be able to show you the new MAP sensor and where is goes. A pretty easy DIY job. If you don't want to put the money into it, even with flashing lights, as long as it runs, drive it. The untimate way to recycle a car is to drive it til it stops....
#59 of 101
Re: 1996 GA [jimsmith2354] by scoot08
Apr 22, 2008 (11:51 am)
Reply

Replying to: jimsmith2354 (Apr 17, 2008 12:15 pm)

so i disconnected the battery and the light went off for like ten min.... i need major help cause the motor is old and tired should i put a new motor in it or junk it... i really am starting to get attached to this hunk of junk... how much is a new engine fo one i cant find one????
#60 of 101
Re: 1996 GA [scoot08] by jimsmith2354
Apr 22, 2008 (6:52 pm)
Reply

Replying to: scoot08 (Apr 22, 2008 11:51 am)

Changing the motor and transaxle is very labor intensive with FWD (front wheel drive) cars. I've gotten good deals from eBay motors, but still way too much work to swap-out. The cheapest place would be your local junkyard, if they would / could do it. Don't expect it to be done quickly as they normally do work in their spare time. Quality could be a big question.
I do believe it would be much better just to sell it to the junkyard and use the money for a first payment on a 3 or 4 year old used car. Buy a add-on warranty for a year is also my suggestion, especially if you don't work on cars.
#61 of 101
Re: 1996 GA [jimsmith2354] by scoot08
Apr 23, 2008 (4:39 pm)
Reply

Replying to: jimsmith2354 (Apr 22, 2008 6:52 pm)

well im what you would say a self proclaimed mechanic... i have done all the work on my ga... i found that the motor mount is broke and need replaced... this car was good till i replaced the tranny now it seems that everything is going wrong with it.. i thought about going to a cheap car lot and try to trade it in but i dont think its worth much
#62 of 101
Re: 1996 GA [scoot08] by burdawg
Apr 24, 2008 (5:45 am)
Reply

Replying to: scoot08 (Apr 23, 2008 4:39 pm)

It's not. I would drive it until it dies and then give it a decent burial at a salvage yard.
#63 of 101
service engine light by miklamar
Apr 26, 2008 (10:31 pm)
Reply
My 1997 Pontiac Grand Am has 140k miles on it, and the engine light comes on when I reach about 50-55 mph. It acts sluggish, esp. going uphill. Someone said it may be the engine coil. If so, how much would that run to fix? Any ideas or suggestions?

Messages Page 7 of 11
1
...
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

You are here: [F] Forums / Sedans / Pontiac Grand Am / Pontiac Grand Am Service Engine Soon / ABS / Trac Off

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Learn More

2005 Pontiac Grand Am

2003 Pontiac Grand Am SE2 4dr Sedan Shown

More Pictures

DoMore

Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement