Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-89
I own a 1995 Grand Am. The turn signals just stopped functioning one day.
Actually, the right turn signal works, but only if you work it manually.
Does anyone know what the problem would be?
My mechanic is baffled by it.
I bought my 95 Grand Am in the spring of 2000. Since then I have had numerous problems that I've had to fix. The EGR Valve went bad and cost me $550 to replace. I had a problem similar to some of those mentioned previous to this with my headlights and blinkers not working. It turned out that the multi-function switch that comes out of the steering column was bad. This switch controls the headlights, blinkers, and cruise control. When I had this replaced the dealership told me this is common with my type of car. It cost me $300 to fix. Recently, I started to feel some sort of vibration or misfire in my engine. In the beginning it only occurred above fifty mph and under light acceleration or under load. I took it to the dealer and was told that because it's a 95 it has the OB1 computer in it which does not store misfire history. I've replace my spark plugs, plug wires, and coil packs. My fuel injectors were tested and found to be fine. In the end I was told to drive it until it breaks down. Not very helpful for peace of mind. Yesterday I was leaving work and it broke down on the side of the road. The bracket that holds my power steering pump literally broke (1/2 inch bolts were snapped) and was then sucked down below the alternator to the point where you couldn't see it. I had it towed to the dealer and now it's going to cost around $1000 to fix it. They told me that my engine mount is broke and they think it was loose. This could have been what was causing the "vibration" I felt. I have to replace the engine mount, power steering pump, serpentine belt, belt tensioner (idler), pulley assembly, and a couple other misc items. Needless to say, I've had my fair share of problems with this car. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a car.
I bought my Grand Am two years ago. A month after I had it I had to sink 1300.00 into it. Now my drivers side window doesn't go up or down and if it feels like it, it goes down an inch and takes a million tries of the button to get it to go back up. The car at this point is in the shop, as they are trying to figure out why I have to put my foot on the accelerator to start it. It runs then I put it in park and it just dies on me. Hopefully it just needs a tune up. A year ago I had an anti freeze leak and my engine was overheating. That supposedly was fixed now the little light keeps coming on telling me I have low coolant. I would really like to know where it is going as I don't see any on the ground whatsoever. After this car dies, I will never buy another American car again. Toyota has my vote in the future. Beware buyers Pontiac is a LEMON.
Don't GET ME WRONG I MEAN SO FAR I HAVE NOT BEEN TO UNlUCKY WITH MY GRAND AM. But let me tell you, I have had a 3 transmissions put into the car an alternator, I blew a head gasket, but luckly it was not so bad that a little bars leak couldn't take care of it. But the quad 4 is a over rated engine. Although it is fast enough to shake the rice boys.
Own a 95 grand am quad4.Have had it since it was new. Car has 107,000 miles on it. Heres what i`ve replaced. First was the fuel pump at 102,000 ran fine until about 105,000.I was always smelling antifreeze, but could never figure where it was coming from. Car overheated a few times so I replaced the thermostat, fine for a while then started overheating again. Drove it one day and noticed whit like smoke coming from exhaust. Figured blown head gasket. Took her apart and low and behold it was a combination of a blown and cracked head. Also noticed when I removed the water pump from inner timming cover the water pump was froze up and looked like it had been leaking for a long time. I guess the water pump is what caused my bown and cracked head. You talk about a hard engine to work on, man.Well I replaced the head, head gasket set, all cooling hoses, etc put her back together and now the two pipes where the thermostat goes together is leaking, but other than that shes back on the road. Here is my belief on the quad 4 engines, they are an awesome engine, but everyone please drain and flush you cooling system out at least every other year and I guarantee these problems would not happen. I know if I would have done this all my problems would have never happened, but I guess we all think were saving a buck now and then later we always come to regret it, i know I do!!!
I bought my 95 grandam SE in 96 with 25,000 on it. I have driven it hard between Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon. Not to mention in the woods, considering I have operated a log loader since 1987. I now have 130,000 on her. I have replaced the alternator, thermostat and the line for the transmission. At 80,000 I had a friend do the whole tune up thing. Wow!! To replace the serpentine belt you have to unbolt at the motor mounts. What would you do if you were along side the road. This is definitely a hard car to work on by oneself. The old girl is still running. No I have not been able to roll the windows down for about 9 months or so. Of course this was discovered in a heavy rain storm. Real nice. But she has done a good job so far. I will run her till she drops.
I just purchased my 95 grand am about 4 weeks ago, and already I'm seeing all the problems listed above. I would like to ask all those who have or have had the notorious overheating problem, what I should do to correct it. It will overheat when its idling, but when I rev on the engine the temp will drop back down. I've replaced the thermostat, coolant sensor, and the relay, I've also flushed the system. I'm pretty sure the fan is not working correctly as it doesn't turn on, but it will still run when jumped. ANY feedback will be helpful. Jperky_02@yahoo.com
Thanks.
I picked up a used 1995 Grand Am about 1 month ago. It has an immaculate interior and exterior and a rebuilt motor. It drives with a nice feel on the suspension. I can't compain too much because I got a great deal on the car... BUT -
1. Driver side window "sometimes" works. If it is rolled all the way down then it only comes up an inch at a time... stops... inch... stop... and so on.
2. If I accelerate quickly from a dead stop OR while moving, the speedometer stops working. If I leaving a stop light I have to go SLOW or else the speedometer doesn't work until the car is moving at about 25mph. I replaced the VSS... no change.
3. After the speedometer freaks out the transmission freaks out too. If I accerate quickly from a stop, the speedometer reads 0 (should be reading about 40) and the transmission stays in first geear. It shifts to second when I left off the accelerator and the speedometer begins to operate again. If I come to a stop again after that, first gear is nonexistant and it stays in second. I have to turn the car off for split second to get first gear back. I normally just put it in "2" and leave it.
My guess is that problem 2 and 3 are related and I need to figure out if the computer is getting a VSS signal. Maybe a break in the wire someplace? Is there something else that could be going on that is more common?
Number 1 sounds like I need a new motor... just like everyone else.
Well just bought me a Grand Am. 94 though, but I have seen the same symptoms. I will do some diagnosing, but the Coolant temp almost seems to be a bad connection. I will bypass the computer and monitor the "TRUE" coolant temp and see if there is electrical problem. Same thing with the Driver side window. I cleaned the switch and it worked OK, turned around and added in a high current relay in the door itself and it behaved MUCH better. I have build a few custom EFI jobs from Hondas to a fiero v6 in a Jeep Cherokee, and experience has always pointed me to a bad wire, connection, or sensor. Rarely has there ever been a full fledged problem warranting the costs of some of these repairs. A little inventiveness and work and you can re-engineer these little goofs in the grand ams design.
I have a 95 Pontiac Gran am quad 4, 2.3 engine. I been having trouble with it Ever since last summer. I am determine to fix the over heating problem. I took it to several mechanics at first they change thermostat, water pump, compress Check it, but the problem prevailed I then took upon my self to work on it. I took the engine Out had it rebuild (since it had over 100k) put it back in the problem still there not as bad, but still their I been Running out of ideals. I just about did everything, but I will not quit.
I dunno what to tell you guys my pontiac 1992 sohc 2.3l was running great when I bought it with 90k miles in jan 2003 now its july 2003 and its messeging up, little problems at first then the headaches now, belt tensioner is attached to a bracket. its the pully I guess it has not threads on its outside it just guides the belt. water pump went...am I wrong in thinking these repairs are normal. I think I'm going to get a honda or toyota.
How's this for junk-my regular mechanics won't even touch a Quad 4 engine. 4+ hours (dealer) to put in a water punp to the tune of $500. Radiator completely clogged @90k.Head gasket and all the periferal stuff-$1800. Still overheats. Dealer says clogged heater core is doing it. Alarm went into kill switch mode all by itself. didn't know why car wouldn't start, so naturally, a complete electrical diagnostic had to be done. Next to the 86 Tempo, this is the single worst car ever made. Even dealers snicker when you tell them you have the Quad4.
Oh my, this all sounds so familiar. I have replaced several things with my 97 grand am GT. My head gasket went about a month ago, I had to get a new used engine, over $2000 but, I do have 140,000 on the car. My heater core also went my AC compressor has gone. I have replaced the window regulators (I have a 2 door) at least 3 times. The windows on Grand am's just suck! Has anyone had problems with the windshield wipers? I do and a friend who owes a grand am also has. Also, one morning I couldn't start my car the theft system light came on and I had to tow it to the shop. I had to get a new battery, that's it. My fog lights don't work and no one can figure out why, but, when my brother was fixing something for me he banged something near the radiator and they worked again for a couple of weeks and now they are dead again. I also had my transmission replaced just under 100,000 miles, thank god it was covered under my extended warranty! I also have a suspicious smell coming from the engine lately, it smells like maple syrup! Sometimes my car feels like it is going to stall, but, it doesn't and I can't seem to get it to the shop when the car is acting funny, I will step on the gas and it won't gain speed for at least 15-30 seconds, very strange! I also had a problem with my rear brakes and I guess they hadn't been working for years and that is why I was constantly (every 4-6 months) replacing the front pads. As you can see I have had a lot of problems with this car.
I have a 95 Grand Am SE Coupe with a 3.1 V6 engine.
My passenger side window died two years ago. I ride alone so I don't worry about it too much. The driver side window won't come up immediately if I let it all the way down. I actually have to turn the ignition switch on and off just to get the driver's side window up at all.
I hear a mysterious rattling noise coming from near the engine every now and again. My mechanic doesn't know what it is and I am not to worried to try and find out since the car still runs pretty good.
I need new struts, but that can wait.
My transmission occasionally will literally grind to a halt. When starting from a dead stop with sound like a manual transmission driving too fast in a low gear.
Considering my car has over 147,000 miles on it and it is 8 years old I am not too surprised.
I am still reluctant to let it go though.
I laugh when I read all if these comments. My major problem is the power windows. They just don't work at all. The top brake light just went our and I have no license plate light any more. If you can help me at all, please contact me at rummel69@yahoo.com thank you and good luck to you all!!!