electrical problem
8.3
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$482.00
Average Mileage:
95,529 miles
Number of complaints:
27 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (21 reports)
- clean and tighten battery terminals (3 reports)
- update computer (2 reports)
- had fuel module changed, worked for a week then nothing (1 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2001 Pontiac Grand Am engine turns over but will not start
2008Jun 30
Grand Am
- Automatic transmission
- 167,000 miles
Well I am A single mother of two that I soley support by myself with no help from the state or the father and I cannot afford to keep repairing this vehicle to do the same thing I think after all the complaints I have read on my Situtation that a reacll would have been called. So please help figure this out .
2008Oct 17
Grand Am
- Automatic transmission
- 17,700 miles
No disrespect but please fix my damn car!!! i am tired and it is very costly RECALL RECALL RECALL
2008Aug 15
Grand Am
- Automatic transmission
- 170,000 miles
I have already filed three complaints and no results please help us fix this continuing problem
2008Sep 12
Grand Am
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
Same issue as others. Car will not crank over. This is the 2nd time now. Will try the 10 min fix. Sure sounds like a recall issue to me.
2008Aug 12
Grand Am SE 3.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 131,000 miles
This car has run great for the 3-4 years that we've owned it. All of a sudden it won't start up. It cranks but won't turn over. This problem presented itself probably April or so this year but it would come and go so there was no way to diagnose it. Well two days ago my wife was getting ready to go to work when the car did it again. She absolutely couldn't get it to start. So when I came home from work I looked at it. It seemed like she would tell me about the occurrence earlier in the year and I'd try it and it would start right up for me so I thought she was just up in the night. lol
Just kidding love.
Anyway, I tried it this time and sure enough it would turn over but not start. I had my neighbor come take a look at it who's actually a mechanic for GM up in Logan UT and he said that without running any tests he's about 80 percent sure it's the fuel pump. So I went and bought a shiny new pump and filter and we were about to dig into it until I began researching and found this website. So I got all excited reading about the 10 minute thing and went out and tried it and NOTHING. So I tried it for 15-20 minutes and NOTHING. So I decided I'd post. My next step will be to contact GM and ask what they recommend doing. This is rediculous. When we do get it to run again we're gonna sell it and get a Toyota.
2008Jul 31
Grand Am SE 2.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 131,000 miles
I left work this afternoon and had lunch at a fast food restaurant. When I left, the car would not start. It sounded fine, it just wouldn't turn over. I called my father and asked him what he thought and he mentioned the normal things...fuel filter, fuel lines, battery, etc... He agreed to come take a look at it for me and before he did he looked up the year/make/model online and found the fix where you reset the computer by leaving the key in the "on" position for ten minutes. Excitingly, at the time, it worked like a charm! We were thrilled! I've started it up fine twice since then but now seeing all these similar complaints I'm wondering if it is time to buy a new car.
2008May 21
Grand Am SE 3.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 83,000 miles
well i had bought this car from my brother for cheap but it was in great condition. love the car then out of the blue it just stop working, had it in the shop 5 times and each time they changed the fuel filter or the fuel pump. well it worked for a while, then this last time they changed the fuel module and supposedly it was fixed i drove it for about 2 days and then it cut out on me , never again will i buy a Pontiac.
2008May 06
Grand Am V6
- Automatic transmission
- 82,000 miles
Like all the other complaints, car will turn but will not start. 10 min thing worked for a while, left at a mechanics for a week who could not find the problem. Today cut out while driving with my two kids in the car, coasted to the side of the road started it back up and took to autozone to see if it reads any codes (does not). I don't even want to take it to the dealer to charge me an ass load of money to tell me they cant find the problem. Which seems the familiar fate of this problem. Has anyone had this actually fixed permanently????
2007Nov 30
Grand Am ES V6
- Automatic transmission
- 92,000 miles
Again, I need to know what the problem is. Not process of elimination, or just getting stranded someday. I had a 2000 grand am and there was a ignition switch recall on it. Could this be similar?
2008Mar 11
Grand Am SE 2.6L 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 135,000 miles
01 grandam, purchace brand new, ran great for 5 yrs. then in 09/05 experience passlock issue, got over that after 3 mos, now today i cant get the damn thing to start, i am frustrated, and not to mention p'd off per i need my card to go to work 50 mi away from home, car battery has juice, alternator charges, starter makes noise but not a sound or turn. lights, radio, bells and whistles all come on, tried jump and chrg to battery and nothing, lights that stay on are check engine soon and battery. mech, tells me to bring it in what do they not understand in the phrase "my car will not start" i thought maybe i wl try the 10min fix again, did absolutely nothing. now i am leaving on for longer in hopes it doesn't drain my battery,didn't work. clueless and frustrated. what now?
2007Mar 13
Grand Am SE 2.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 92,050 miles
Had the car a few months when the window regulators started going out. I have had the dealer replace three of them. since then two more have gone out including one that i had replaced. It lasted one day less than a year. The more aggravating problem(as if that is not aggravating enough) is that it won't start at times. First the key switch would not turn so the dealer changed it out for around $300. A couple months later, I started having this problem. It's the same old thing. The security light comes on while driving then the next time you turn off the engine, it won't restart! I took the car to a very well respected garage and they changed the ignition switch and said it's fixed. But it wasn't of course. I took it back a couple times by getting it towed and they still couldn't fix it. The next time it happened, I took it to the dealership and they replaced the ignition switch again(I didn't know what they replaced at the time) and of course that didn't fix the problem. Each time they reset the computer or whatever and got it started and said it was fixed. Next time it happened, I left it with the dealership for them to occasionally start and drive it to see if it happened to them. For three weeks they said that they drove it a little each day and it never failed. I picked it up hoping that in checking wires and plugs and things that they accidentally fixed it. It seemed so when it ran good for three months and then one day it happened again, but this time it wouldn't reset after the ten minute wait. I'm afraid to take it to any shop now including the dealership because I have spene $1,300 on it so far there and have gotten nothing. I'm looking for a cliff!
2008Feb 18
Grand Am SE 2.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 95,000 miles
The first time this happened, I had the car towed to a shop. When they got it there, they said nothing was wrong, it started right up. The second time, I had it towed to the shop, again, there was nothing wrong because it started right up. Now this is the third time so I tried the ten minute thing I found here on the internet and it worked. Thank you for the quick fix. But, guess what, it worked but when I turned it off again, it wouldn't start again so I did the ten minute thing again and it would NOT work. This is very annoying when it is cold out and with two children. I don't have time either to wait 10 minutes. I will never buy another Grand Am again!! GM needs to fix this problem, do a recall or something. CS in Ohio
2005Sep 15
Grand Am ES 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 99,000 miles
Drive to the store, fine. Shop, get back in car, motor turns over but would not start.
Got a jump, car starts, runs for about 4 days, car would not start again. Took car to
a mechanic, put on diagnostic machine, could not find the problem. Sent to a
Ford dealership for diagnostic - determined that the "security feature" and the
computer were not "in sync" had to open steering column & fix problem and
additionally "update computer in car". What a financial set-back - living on
social security and being disabled.
2007May 25
(reported on)Grand Am 3.4L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 72,000 miles
Same issue as a number of other posters. Car turns over but will not start. New battery, alternator is fine, so is the starter and flywheel. I had to get the car towed to my mechanic. He kept it for a week, did nothing but run tests, then it started working again. I took it home worked fine, but then days later same problem - back to the mechanic. The engine test reads normal, no codes. After some research, I found that this problem seems fairly common. I would encourage individuals with similar problems to post on this forum and contact GM. GM should consider researching this issue and finding a solution. I have owned various Pontiacs since 1994 and was considering a new G6 this fall. Providing a solution is not readily found this will be my last.
2007Nov 06
Grand Am 3.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 126,900 miles
OMG! I hope someone out there sees this! I loved my car (neva' had problems except minor things like headlights) until... On November 6, 2007 (the day before my DAMN B-DAY) I started my car w/ my automatic starter on this cold morning. It ran for some minutes, and I sat in it for about 5 minutes. It completely shut off on me! (The car shook for a second, and it cut off) I thought it was cause' I had no gas, or because it being started with the remote starter. Nope, it wasn't it! My key was turned back, so it should've kept running! It wouldn't RUN for anything, and gas wasn't the issue. It was turning...but not running. The next day (yeah, my B-Day) some guy looked at it & he works on cars for a living (but not licensed). Other people & him decided it was the fuel pump, so I bought one. It costed $240. I'm a 21 year old female, works retail, and will be back in school...so that's alot of money! Oh, not to mention the damn fuel pump wasn't the problem! They're not refundable either! The car would definitely turn over, but will NOT run for s***! It would try to run when they used starter fluid (I guess that's why they assumed I needed a fuel pump). I even bought a fuel filter, and injectors...and it still did my car no good.
That night, I looked up this wonderful site, Autobeef! I read others complaints. I felt comforted knowing others had same issues as mine, but also felt left out. I was wishing I had a "10 minute" issue with the ignition. The next day I told my dad about the complaints I've read, and solutions that might help us. I told him to tell the so called mechanic about the key being turned back for 10 minutes. The car ended up being over this guy's house for 2 weeks. I was going to put it in the shop, but I had to wait to save. Cause' I spent all that money, including $80 for this dude to even look (and mess around) with the car. So, finally on Thanksgiving day, my dad decides to get the car from over the guy's house. Now, Thanksgiving day, my car is in my father's garage now. I gets a phone call, and it was my dad. He told me that he was bored, and tried that "10 minute" thing...
and the fu****g car STARTED...AND KEPT RUNNING! WELL I'LL BE DAMNED!
P.S. Today is November 24, 2007 & I'm still driving...my "Service Engine Soon" light is on & "Low Coolant". I got a reading at Autozone, and I need sparks, etc. I don't think this will ever solve the problem. I don't have to wait "10 minutes" everytime I start the car. It starts up every time now...like a champ! But' I also read from this site to expect it unexpectedly for my car to stall on me somewhere. Plus, my car runs good...but sounds a tad bit rough in the motor now.
This is major Bullshyt!
2007Nov 06
(reported on)Grand Am GT 3.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 117,000 miles
Problem is intermittent so tried to leave the key in on position for 5 to ten minutes based on the other users with the same problem and it works! Thanks for your help. I really find it hard to believe GM won't step up to the plate on this!!!!!!!
2007Oct 29
(reported on)Grand Am GT 3.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 125,000 miles
My car has now twice not turned and we discovered this website and did the 10 minute wait and it just started right up. This is ridiculous! Now how long is this going to continue? I am 125k miles and it runs great otherwise and the best shape ever. I take care of my Grand Am.
The first time I paid $40 to tow and $100 to troubleshoot and he couldn't figure it out and it just started up. Guess he had it turned to the on position for 10 minutes.
Yet to take it to the dealer but as a single woman, I can't wait 10 miutes everywhere.
2007Aug 24
(reported on)Grand Am SE V6
- Automatic transmission
- 93,000 miles
I just brought a used 2001 Grand Am 93,000.00 miles. I had it only one week before I was driving it and it cutt off and I had to coast to the side of the road with emergency lights blinking. A couple days later I was getting ready to come home from Star Bucks and it would not start. It keep trying to turn over but would not start for over two hours. I finally called the tow company to pick me and the car up. When he got there he tried to start it and it would not start so he towed the car to my house. 24 hours later I tried to start it again but it would not start. I finally had it towed to a licensed mechanic and it started up for him as if nothing had ever happened! He put it on the machine and everything but could not find anything wrong. I remember the weather being rainy and muggy when it happened. We need to join together and try to sue! I am scared of this car cutting off on me while driving on the freeway!
2007Oct 16
(reported on)Grand Am SE 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 54,000 miles
I purchased the 2001 Grand Am used in 2005 with only 9,000 miles on it. I have driven it about 45,000 miles in the past two years. Drives and runs excellent except for pulsating front brakes and it has failed to start on two or three occasions with the security light illuminated. My solution was to tow it from work at 2 am in a crappy section of New Haven, CT to my house via AAA service. I let it sit overnight and the car started right up the next morning. I will try the suggested fix of leaving the key on for ten minutes and starting it. I tried to jump start it after the battery wore down and it would turn over, then die out in a second or two, with the security light illuminated. I understand this is a passlock problem. The vehicle is way out of warranty so I don't want to spend the bucks at the dealership. I take it to a Ford Lincoln Mercury Service Center for routine maint and they haven't mentioned any recalls or other issues. A review of the internet shows several TSB's for this vehicle including water leaks, wind noise, brake issues etc. Overall, I still think it's a good vehicle, but there should be a recall on the security light passlock issue.
2007Apr 16
(reported on)Grand Am SE 2.4
- Automatic transmission
- 59,899 miles
NOT THAT BAD, RATED NEXT TO THE PROBLEMS WITH OUR OLD CAR
2007Mar 13
(reported on)Grand Am GT 3.4
- Automatic transmission
- 108,000 miles
Purchased a 2001 Pontiac Grand AM, used. Came with a 30 day warranty from the dealer. During that time the car "died" and was towed to the dealer. They claimed it was a "fuel pump" issue and replaced that. Just AFTER the warranty was up, the car started acting up again and would turn over but NOT start. After reading some other complaints we tried letting the key sit in the "on" position for 10 minutes and then it would start. The dealer said they "can't assist". It appears this is a major issue with this vehicle and GM should do something!! Spoke to GM this morning (on the phone for over an HOUR) got nowhere. There is no recall for this problem (There SHOULD be!!) and they cannot help. We did find out that the ignition switch has been replaced twice. Apparently trying to "fix" this problem. We are at our whits end!! Any suggestions?? Start a class action lawsuit??
2006Aug 02
(reported on)Grand Am SE
- 55,000 miles
It has happened to me twice in the past 6 months. Both times it started back up the next day without any repair.
When this occurs all the gauges stay at zero. The last time it happened I replaced the battery and tried resetting the passlock to no avail. My mechanic towed it to his house, hooked it up to his diagnostic machine and it showed absolutely nothing! When the car started back up the next day the diagnostic machine reading was perfect.
The only thing in common both times it happened was 'water'. I had driven through a substantially large puddle the first time and it was extremely humid out the second time.
What the @#%!!
2007Feb 20
(reported on)Grand Am GT 3.4
- Automatic transmission
- 35,000 miles
I don't know if you have resolved your problem with you Gran Am but I have something for you to try. I had all the "wont start and passlock problems" and everything else with my 2001 Gran Am also. No one could figure it out and so on. One day while messing around under the hood I noticed that the rubber boots that go over the battery terminals seemed to be of a poor design for the electrical system to get the proper current and for everything to work properly. I took the terminals off and noticed how they (rubber boots) wrapped around the metal plate that is supposed to be making contact with the side post battery. So in other words all that was making contact was the stud or bolt that threaded into the battery. When the bolt gets a little loose or gets a little corroded it doesn't make enough contact. Now for the CHEAP FIX that worked for me is pull the terminals off, cut the rubber away that is blocking the "Contact plate" from making good contact, clean the terminal and then re-assemble. The only other thing to do that I didn't do, is to take the discarded rubber pieces mail them to GM and tell them to put them in another place that will drive people nuts trying to figure it out. I hope this helps everybody I know it was a pain in the butt for me too.
2006Oct 23
(reported on)Grand Am ES
- Automatic transmission
- 55,731 miles
Well, i advise people to not take any dealship's word because they full of it. I got a pontica am and it is a nice car until one day it wouldn't start at all and also on cold days. I've been having this car for about 3 weeks now and the first payment is coming soon. Also, I have a extended warranty on the car and i have just found out that i have to pay out of pocket ($100) to get the thing fixed. Never heard of it and didn't know it but i know that my boyfriend had a Kia and he didn't have to pay a dime with his warranty. I guess that i got myself in a sh*t hole on this deal.
2006Apr 17
(reported on)Grand Am SE
- 49,000 miles
WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT STARTED FOR THEM. AFTER THEY DID A CHECK ON IT AND CHARGED ME. THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS.
2006Apr 14
(reported on)Grand Am SE
- 49,000 miles
The car will not start, the engine will turn over, but it will not fire. I took it to a certified mechanic, he told me it was not getting a pulse signal for the injectors to fire. The problem was not fixed, it just started working again. Now it just quit again, and on a weekend.
I also ended up paying for the fix on the bad solder joint for the turn signals, I was never notified of a recall. I have tried Ford vehicles and now GM, I guess the next step will be a Dodge.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Jul 21
Grand Am
I am tired of paying all these cost when It is definitely a problem almost time for a lawyer
Penny S.
Seven Springs, North Carolina, USA
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