9.0
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$600.00
Average Mileage:
24,000 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (2 reports)
electrical problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Pontiac dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2003 Pontiac Grand Am car shuts off when A/C or front defrost is on
2006Feb 05
(reported on)Grand Am SE
- 2,000 miles
I'm sorry but I will never buy a Pontiac again. I have had the same problem for the past 2 years. If I turn on my air conditioner then my car will shut off, if I turn on my front defrost then my car will shut off. I have had this car looked at at least a dozen times and no one has been able to fix it. Everything has been covered under warranty but does that count all the times my family or I could have been killed.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Aug 25
(reported on)Grand Am SE 3.2L V6
My wife went to a nearby city about 90 miles away. In mid August. She drove down with the A/C on. Stopped and picked up her father and went riding to various places for the day. She stopped and dropped him off and stayed in the house about an hour. She had turned off the A/C when she was driving her dad around. When she got in, she started the car fine. She turned on the A/C and the the car sputtered and stopped. It wouldn't restart. Her brother disconnected the A/C and she could get the car to start but the engine fans wouldn't come on. She drove carefully keeping an eye on her engine temp to get home, 90 miles.
She took the car to her mechanic and he said it was the computer. She was charged $600 dollars for a new computer and the engine starts and the fans run. But as soon as they plugged in the A/C compressor relay the engine sputtered off and wouldn't restart until it was disconnected. Then it starts and the engine fans run, but the A/C still doesn't work. Hard choice in Southern GA! Question we have is, did she really need a new computer? What is the deal with the electrical system? What suddenly caused the A/C to kill the engine?
I'm ticked that the mechanic told her her car was fixed and checked out but hadn't reconnected the A/C and cycled it before returning her car. Is there notice from Pontiac on this problem? I can't find one. Guess next step is driving to the nearest dealership 60 more miles, at least the fans work, and probably another $600. Suggestions?
Bob H.
Hinesville, GA, USA
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