8.1
pretty bad
engine problem
Won't run, won't start!!!!!!! Starts and Dies!!!! Paid 2000 to fix it and it didn't fix it!!!!!!
- Meg W., Fargp, ND, US
This is the first time I am reporting this problem, although it has happened at least 2 times previously.
The car -literally- stop running/turned off completely in the midst of rush hour traffic and would not restart. The power-steering was no long available and I was lucky I did not have a serious accident or end up dead...the vehicle stopped completely in left hand lane blocking traffic until I was able to get help to push it off to the side of the road.
Previously I had the vehicle worked on for this happening (happened in less dangerous situations) and have spent an estimated 2,000 dollars on fixes as the mechanics indicate their "testing" equipment finds nothing wrong.
After this last incident, I conducted my own online search and have discovered many others having the exact same problem and events as I describe above. Most indicate/claim it is a/the security/theft prevention system that is causing the problem. How can I drive a car when it - is likely to shut off while driving and worse, stop steering. WHY Isn't Pontiac doing anything about this?
I was a loyal and enthusiastic Pontiac owner - My exuberance for the brand has tarnished significantly because of this.
- Robert G., Grand Rapids, MI, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
OK...second complaint. Left car in garage for a week, afraid to drive it - but needed to get somewhere and only car available. I live on a busy street and car started and was running (seemingly fine) but as I pulled out of our driveway the car completely shut off again. I was fortunate to coast into the turn lane as the busy traffic passed by on both sides (having to edge wide to get around me since the car was turn somewhat sideways).
Family rushed out of the house and helped to push the vehicle back into the driveway.
My car which I once loved now sits in the garage as useful as a two-ton paperweight. I have been unable to find a mechanic versed in the problem, although many seem willing to take money for fixes they will not guarantee will correct the problem.
Pontiac - what do I do? Can anyone help me?
- Robert G., Grand Rapids, MI, US
the service engine soon light came on and the trac light came on. checked the code and it stated to replace the throttle body position sensor which we did. While these lights are on the car shifts harder into gear and even died twice while idling slowly. Replacing the sensor did not help. Any suggestions anyone?
- pierski, Somerville, TN, US
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Alright, So i'm driving my 2001 grand am se1 3.4L V6 ob the highway, ive been on it for around 10-15 minutes already and all of a sudden i feel some light tugging and all of a sudden my gas pedal has no effect on the engine, it just stalled out on the highway... greeeaaaaatttt. So i pull over to the side and as i do so my RPMs slowly go from 2k down to 0, and my battery light comes on. So i pull over to the side and turn off the car and it starts right back up again at the first try no problem. And also, my gas tank had plenty of gas both times.
So im assuming the problem is either electrical or that it was the fuel pump. They both will cost a couple hundred to buy the part, so i'm hoping i've completely missed some cheeper and easier solution. It has only happened on the highway and is rather un-nerving though im used to it now and i can tell when its about to happen so i can safely pull over to the side of the road in time. But the first time, i was just completely un-nerved.
So if anyone has any ideas, sugestions, or solutions, i would greatly appreciate it thanks
- Simiron H., West Valley, UT, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Alright, So i'm driving my 2001 grand am se1 3.4L V6 ob the highway, ive been on it for around 10-15 minutes already and all of a sudden i feel some light tugging and all of a sudden my gas pedal has no effect on the engine, it just stalled out on the highway... greeeaaaaatttt. So i pull over to the side and as i do so my RPMs slowly go from 2k down to 0, and my battery light comes on. So i pull over to the side and turn off the car and it starts right back up again at the first try no problem. And also, my gas tank had plenty of gas both times.
So im assuming the problem is either electrical or that it was the fuel pump. They both will cost a couple hundred to buy the part, so i'm hoping i've completely missed some cheeper and easier solution. It has only happened on the highway and is rather un-nerving though im used to it now and i can tell when its about to happen so i can safely pull over to the side of the road in time. But the first time, i was just completely un-nerved. So if anyone has any ideas, sugestions, or solutions, i would greatly appreciate it thanks
- Brad F., Pelham, NH, US
i bought this car about 3 weeks ago, as soon as i bought it i had to have it towed to a garage, where it took them a week to figure out they couldn't fix it, had to have it towed to auto electric shop where i had to tell them to replace the ignition module and connector that i had to go buy and bring to him before he would even look at the car. got it running drove it to work on the way home from work midnight the car quit again, this time it was the alternator and battery. replaced that myself in walmart parking lot got it home. the very next day i was going to pick my kids up and the gauges went crazy and all the dash lights came on then it started stalling out. it will crank right back up after it cut off but the rpm needle goes crazy while driving. took it to another shop today maybe they can fix it so i can finally have something to drive.
- Alicia L., Richlands, NC, US
I was told by a mechanic friend of mine that it is the ignition switch. I used to have 15- 20 keys on my key ring. The weight of all of those keys would actually turn the key just enough that it would shut off the car if I hit a bump at high speeds. Since my friend told me this I have only used the car key by itself and have not had a single problem.
- Michael C., Reading, PA, US
I noticed one of the complaints above mentioning "What about a female in a bad section of town when this happens." This has happened to me....I stop at a 7-eleven in a sketchy part of town (they do exist), get in my car...and it won't start...its night time...and i have to sit in my car, all alone, for 10 minutes, cell phone is dead.....that is an extremely long time when you are all alone. I was 22 at the time and I have two brothers and a father who are both mechanically inclined...in fact one of my brothers is a certified mechanic. All of the faults that I have experience along with this threw them for a loop and guess who diagnosed the problem......it was I, a little extensive research online and I was able to find the code to reset my car (which is in my glove box, just in case i forget the procedure because i will need until i sell my car...i wonder who will be willing to purchase my vehicle when i mention that). My car was fine for three years...oh wait no...there was a recall on the turn signal/hazard lights (who needs turn signals???)....hmmm oh yeah the trac light and 80% of the time when i turn my wheels, i get a plethora of lights that come on for no reason...and then this issue...sigh
and if you are reading this, it doesn't get any better, my car now randomly cuts off when i am driving...thats right...imagine driving at 50mph on three lanes of bumper to bumper traffic as you are leaving home from work and oh what do you know..all of a sudden you feel your car push forward a little bit, you look down and your rpms start to drop...you begin freaking out so you are pumping the gas pedal and nothing, then you realize you are crossing over an intersection...as you cross it there is a slight hill where anyone coming your way cannot see you....your power steering is gone, your car is off...you begin to freak because your scared someone is going to run right into the rear of you...should i stay in my car and try to get it to start....should i leave the car and save my life...should i throw it in neutral and try to wheel it somewhere.......whew..i decided ill try and start it one more time...but then im outta this piece...luckily it started...that happened a couple of months ago
im a single woman who has three mechanically inclined members of her family and they cannot even assess what could be wrong and after extensive research i am hoping i have stumbled upon the problem because i know for sure that if i take it to get it checked out they will not have a clue...and why is that....hmmmm..oh yeah because its not a normal problem that should be occurring hence why if i die and it is because i am behind the wheel of what i like to call my ponitac "deathtrap", what is GM going to say about that????
tomorrow i am going to have it looked at...luckily i have been able to save up a months work of weekly paychecks because i know this isn't going to be a cheap fix... and more than likely they will have the wrong diagnosis because they are not aware that GM gave birth to special vehicles that can never really be fixed...mehhh who cares....poor little grand am will never lead a normal life...
who wants to start a petition for a recall on the vehicle??? i have tons of stories and research....
email address: afines02@hotmail.com
*please not that the sarcasm in this should be taken seriously
oh yeah i forgot about another problem...any of you's guys experiencing this? Example: Approaching a stop sign...hti the breaks....your car starts shaking and you can feel the breaks grinding below and the most horrifying thing...your car doesn't stop where you intend it to...it slides oh a couple feet forward...like i dunno your turning into two lanes of traffic at an intersection and you almost get side swiped by a semi????
Thanks GM...Love ya...mwahhhhhhhhhhhh
- utopiadream02, Fredericksburg, VA, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This is a very dangerous issue. It only happened when driving on a highway at high speeds. I would be traveling at approximately 50 to 60 miles per hour. When the car hits a bump it would just turn off. Because I was in fast moving traffic I would have to shift my car into neutral to restart my car at that high speed and than shift back into drive. I have approximately 80,000 on my car. I purchased the car new from a dealer. This problem just recently started to happen. My car is presently being fixed by a mechanic who is replacing the ignition switch. I hope that this information helps anyone experiencing the same issue.
- Joann R., Bronx, NY, US
The car has been at the dealership for 2 days and they cannot find out why it quit on me.
- Rebecca S., Ponca City, OK, US
bought a used 2001 grand am gt air ram. 75th anniversary in great condition... drove for a couple of hundred miles after left dealership and was fine. now it just quits while driving sometimes frequent. Put High octane gas and treatment in it and it went 40 miles without doing it then started just as bad as before... Help anyone have i bought a lemon or do i need a little work
- Pat R., Albertville, AL, US
While driving down the road the car will just cut off. The electrical system stays on (radio, lights, etc) so I'm pretty sure its not the battery or alternator. The car will start right back up afterwards. It just started doing it and it cut off five or six times in an hour and a half long drive.
- jevers, Lawrenceburg, TN, US
My car dies on me for no reason. Just driving down the road it goes off. The lights and stuff still work so it is not the battery or the alternator. I throw it in neutral and it starts back up but it dies over and over again. On my way to work which is about 20 miles, I have to restart it an average of 7 times and it seems to be getting worse.
- parnell68, Garland, TX, US
I am trying to find out if anyone else has had this problem. I can be driving along and all of a sudden my car will just shut off. All the lights, radio, and heater all stay on. It is not the battery or alternator. The dealership said i need to replace the intake gasket and thermostat. I tend to think it is an electrical problem. They also told me that i would need to replace a fuel sensor in my fuel tank. Anybody had this problem?
- rastamon63, Germantown, MD, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2001 Pontiac Grand Am Engine cuts off when gas petal is depressed and released. Problem started at 51,000 miles. The engines stops running when you slow down to turn, slow down at a red light or when you try to start going again. Fixes to date tank always has plenty of gas, it is not the fuel filter, the manifold pressure sensor and throttle body sensors have been replaced, and the ignition key recall has been done. What a joke GM has got to know that is not the problem and they are going to get a lot of people killed before they admit it. Very dangerous to try to cross four lanes of traffic and your car dies. I cannot find where GM admits to the problem but it is experience by many people on the internet but no one ever has a solution. Can someone help me before I get killed?
- lemongranam, Huntsville, AL, US