Recurrent, mysterious wiring problems. The door locks will stop working, then the interior dashboard lights, then the turn signals. This has been repaired four times now, and usually after a few months it starts again.
The last time, the dealer found 13 different wires under the driver's side carpeting that needed to be spliced back together. Apparently, every time I braked, it put pressure on the wires and they were cracking. The dealer actually called it an "accident waiting to happen" and said I was lucky that none of those 13 wires were for the engine or the brakes.
At one point, the alternator blew out, causing the car to stop-start-stop-start in panicky jerks while every single light on the dash was flickering on and off. I'm glad I was close to home, because I almost wrecked. Turns out the alternator fried the battery and I had to replace them both.
None of my power windows work and it's going to be $500 to fix.
The radio was replaced before I got the car.
This car is a constant drain on my finances, not to mention my nerves.
When this car actually runs, it's a dream. It's my first car and I hate to give up my "baby". But this is ridiculous.
Has anyone else had these strange electrical problems?
I hate my Grand-Am! I always wanted one and I am so disappointed. I had to replace the alternator, the starter, and the battery. It doesn't have power windows or anything, but the dashboard lights always go off or get really dim. I thought I was the only one with all these problems. I almost put as much money into it than I paid for it.
If your dashboard lights are flickering, you might need to take it to the dealer. That was the first warning I had that some of the wires were shredding up. (The next was when my turn signals and brake lights both went.)
I tried taking it to a few mechanics and they charged me plenty, but it wasn't until I took it to the dealer that they actually fixed it. I hate taking it to the dealer because they always seem to charge more, but in this case I had to.
Tell them to check underneath the driver's side carpeting and see if you have broken wires there.
I am trading in this hunk of junk before more things manage to go wrong with it.
The power windows stopped working numerous times which had to be repaired. As well as the battery has been changed 4 times. There is 76,000 miles on the car. The lights do dim in and out on occasion and the water pump went at 68,000 miles. I was told that the timing chain should be replaced because of how it is neccessary to repair water pump. Here I am 6,000 miles later and timing chain has fallen off damaging valves and piston and now am told it needs new engine. Is this just a bad car or bad mechanic? Had towed to driveway until I deceide what to do.
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