1999 Pontiac Montana review from North America

My van is overheating and the shop doesn't know why.

My van has been in the shop about 25 times since February. The temperature gage has been rocking back and forth. The mechanics at one shop told us it had an air leak, so they bled it 3 different times. Then they told us that the lower intake manifold gasket needed to be replaced. Then a week later, same problem arose. We took it back to the shop and they said they needed to replace the thermostat and the water pump. A week after that, the same problem arose. Took it back and they said it was a wiring problem cause by a bad tail light. A week after that we had to take it back to the shop. This time they told us that we needed a new head gasket.

We took the van to another shop and they ran tests on it and said that the engine was fine. They said that is needed a new water pump, coolant sender and radiator cap. They also said that we have a bad temperature gage and to ignore it. We got it back yesterday and ran to the store and the temperature kept going up and down again. When we were were done with our shopping, we got in the van, started it up and it died. It did this for about 10 minutes. When I turned on the heater, the temperature went down and the van started and got us home. We took it back to the shop this morning, and they are running tests on the wiring and electrical system.

Other weird electrical things are happening too. When we turn on the right turn signal and put on the brakes, the light blinks really fast. Without the brakes on the turn signal works fine. When we turn on the left turn signal with the brakes on the hazard light come on. Without the brakes, it works fine.

Also, when we have the key in the ignition and open the door, sometimes the door chimes normal, sometimes really fast and sometimes not at all.

There are many other problems with this van, but I feel that these are the more important problems.