I have had problems with the front brakes since 6,000 miles and had to turn the rotors three times.
Replaced front driver side window regulator/motor at 20,000 miles.
Replaced alternator at 18,000 miles. It seems to be a problem due to the location of the alternator, which is burning it out due to a ventalation problem.
With only 21,000 miles on my car, I had to get it aligned twice.
With hot weather, the rear doors leather/vinyl is bulging out and coming out of the window frame area.
Hi,
I am a 17 year old female in Ohio, I have a 1999 blue grand am. I have had so many problems with this car it is unbelievable, today I was leaving for school, and my brake light came on inside the car and and then all my gages went down to zero, and stayed there even while I was driving it. Then it started to putter, then it stalled. I really love this car, I would love to keep it for a while, all the light on the dash came on saying that everything was wrong with my car, someone please help me, I really love my car.
This sounds like what happened to my car today... but it was the alternator that fried... but I haven't had any problems with my car other than the usual maintenance issues...
I love my GA (blue also)
J.
Hi. I also have a 1999 Grand Am (White). I love it. When I had that problem, it was the alternator. No problems since. Good luck!
Sounds like we all have the same problem. All of my lights came on, the gauges stopped, my husband who was driving behind me told me that my lights on the outside weren't working and in no time, the car stopped. It was the alternator. I bought this car with 60,000 miles and already have had the alternator replaced, the window (regulator failed) replaced, the water pump replaced and the ignition lock switch replaced. Very unhappy with this car, I should have gotten another Honda. ;)
I am having the same problem. It started last November (2004) I had my car to two shops and no one could figure out what was wrong. (put on computer and computer said car was fine) My battery light would come on and go off, than my track light and ABS light would come on... this would happen intermittently for a couple of months and than finally one by one all my dash lights came on. My speedometer, fuel gauge etc... went to 0 and finally my car just stopped. When you tried to turn it over it sounded as if the battery was dead. They finally replace my fuse box, it had corroded due to a leak that no one can find. This seemed to fix my car for about 6 months and than Friday 12-9-2005 my car did this again only this time it did not give me any warning, all the lights came on one at a time, the gages stopped and the car died. It is now at the GMC dealership and they have had it on their computer and nothing is showing up as wrong. I have also had the problem with the brakes and the radio knob that I have read about. It would appear that GMC/Pontiac would realize that something is radically wrong particularly with the electrical system. I replaced my alternator when I first bought the car and just figured that was a flux. My husband has gone today, armed with these postings to see if it is the alternator. The when it runs handles great, but if it is not reliable it is of no use to me.
12/23/2005. Having same problem... 1999 Grand Am GT. I will change alternator tomorrow and repost if that fixes the problem. My daughter loves the car.
Wow. Same here. I bought my 1999 Grand am (Chameleon paint) SE used at a dealership for $3400. I've put a lot of money into this car, and I'm not even finished yet. I had the same problem involving the Alternator. I drove it for a week, and the battery light and ABS light came on. So about $70 for the battery, $120 for the alternator, I was good for right now.
Unfortunately, the transmission is catching at the transition from first to second, and I have to let go of the gas for it to switch. It only happens after I hit past 5000 RPM's. And today, I'm having to put new brake pads on it, which is only a small fee of $20. But either way, This car is definitely going to be costly.
To the Commenter above: You've purchased a 6 year old car. A new alternator, battery and brakes are basic maintenace issues that one would expect with a 1999. As for the transmission shifting hard after 5000 rpm, maybe you could just take it a little easier on your car? These are torquey overhead valve engines, not overhead cam motors with a peaky powerband. Besides, your car makes peak horsepower @ 4800 rpm. So there's really no reason to go over 5k anyways.
This only applies to 3.4 V6, IF you've got the four cylinder then ignore the part about peak horsepower, etc.
I also had alternator problems. but now my car is shaking when I drive and the "service engine soon" light is on. I'm afraid it's a transmission problem. anybody know what might be wrong?
My daughter just bought a 1999 Grand Am SE. In a whole day the ABS lights came on, her battery light came on, and her service engine light also.
Wow, all she wanted is to establish some credit, but they really got her. Is there a law that prevents dealers from selling these pieces of crap?
She also paid 5900.00. Wow, she got ripped after seeing these prices.
I wish I would have done my own research on this car before she bought it.
I have had my 1999 pontiac grand AM SE for about 6 years now and I can tell you this. They will burn out alternators left and right. Every 1 or 2 years you will be replacing your alternator. I have found out early warning sides the hard way of alternators going back. One you ABS and/or TRAC OFF light will come on and stay on till you turn the car off and back on. This is an early warning sign so get ready to replace your alternator very soon. Two (if you make it this far) every single warning light comes on and stays on while driving down the road. This usually means you might as well go ahead and drive to the auto store for a replacement now if your lucky you car doesn't shut off while to get there.
If you get any of these warning signs the very chance you get, pull over ASAP and turn off your car, let it sit for about 1 min then turn it back on and continue driving. The lights to go off and stay off. Like I said these are warning signs to replace your alternator. So far in 6 years I have had to replace my alternator 4 times, just now my wife e-mailed me and said the lights came of TRAC OFF and ABS so there is my early warning sign again I give the car about 3 months before the alternator is completely dead if not sooner so time to replace the alternator again. Yay...
I have a 99 grand am se also. The ABS light and Trac-control light comes on after driving it a little while. Then once turned off and back on, it goes off. The brakes are touchy and seem like they need to be changed. Are them lights going on because of the alternator? Is the alternator easy to change yourself? Also, I am curious if this has all four disk brakes, or only front and back are drums? Anyone know? Thanks.
Need a good link for taking apart my window and door panel. for my 1999 grand am coupe window
Many thanks.
I had a similar kind of problem last summer with my 97 GA. I guess this could be with because of Alternator. If you have recently replace the alternator, then you might want to get the wiring checked... specially the junction box underneath the radiator... this is the place which distributes power to charging system and other engine area. As far as changing the alternator, it can be replaced at home provided that you have a serpentine belt tensioner... enough muscle power.. and of course you need to be quick.. to put the belt on the pulley. Life will become real easy if you can find an extra pair of hands... Hope you guys find this information useful.
I have a white 99 GA and have had nothing, but problems with it. Just starting a week ago, my Airbag light goes off while driving and blinks, but doesn't go back off. In addition, my ABS light will stay on and the headlights and fan seem to get a sudden surge of power. After this surge, the car nearly stalls out, then it'll do it again. Yesterday, I lost my power steering (thank goodness I was only going 15 mph), and my battery light came on even though I just had the battery replaced a few days ago. After turning the car off, it seems to be fine again. No clue as to what's going on and Sears claimed that they checked my alternator two days ago and said it was fine... Grrrrr... My 91 Ford Tempo was better than this car...