13th Oct 2007, 17:09

Dude, I had that same problem with not getting the key out of the ignition. It was due to my penchant for fast food soft drinks which would leak under the cupholders and into the gearshift interlock switch, shorting it out. Cost me $200 and that was to repair, not replace. Probably should have replaced for $400 since shifter was loose thereafter. Worst problem was at 86k miles air flow sensor died and shut down engine in rush hour traffic on Capital Beltway. Got it restarted, but took two footed driving to get it to a garage. Sold the vehicle after that costly repair. overall a great engine, though. 3800 v6.

30th Oct 2007, 19:50

I love my 2000 Grand Prix, but, I have about had enough. Right at 100,000 miles everything is falling apart. Air/heat quit working, replaced two window motors and one switch, sunroof is leaking bad and just made it home after setting at a gas station for 2 hours trying to get the car out of park. Paying a tow service $50 bucks for 30 seconds of work to bypass the shift lock. Maybe, I bought a lemon. I love Pontiac's, but this one is as bad as it gets.

7th Nov 2007, 23:49

Hey everyone (previous post 16th Sept). I wanted to get one of the Haynes repair books, but I guess there isn't one for this car.

Regarding the post after mine, I wanted to check or change the solenoid in the column because I think that's the problem. I like your idea so I tried to take the cover off, but it looks like I have to take the steering wheel off to do this. The cover comes loose, but it wraps around the column.

Is this easy to do, I don't want to take the steering wheel off, isn't there a special tool for that. Do you have to pull the fuse for the airbag?

Thanks for any input.

Bill.

22nd Dec 2007, 08:33

Thank you! I finally got my key out of my ignition. I have an 02 GTP and I pressed the button on the bottom of the steering column and it came right out. That was really annoying me.

23rd Dec 2007, 00:50

Hi.

I have a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. I have had just about everything go wrong with this car. It's a great car, but has had all the problems discussed in the previous comments.

It has about 125km on it now, but probably has an issue every 10k.

The problem with not being able to shift from park has to either do with 2 things: 1. Ignition wires being detached. I believe they are too short and become detached after a lot of shifting. Had this replaced twice. 2. The third time they replace the entire shifter asembly.

I also now have the problem with the key getting stuck and I also believe it has something to do with the ignition wires again. I will do the straw trick and hopefully it works because I have invested so much already.

If you have problems with the brakes, make sure you install the GM OEM breaks. Never squeaked again for me and I drive pretty hard on them.

If you have a problem where you can start your car and it shuts off right away, it is the low fuel resistor in your gas tank.

If your car revs incorrectly, meaning while idling your car your rev meter tends to dip and jump up inconsistently, it is your air flow meter. Even while driving it revs incorrectly. Very easy to fix, 1 screw removes it. I would suggest getting it from the junk yard and install yourself.

My transmission also hesitates now. I had the transmission rebuilt because the clutch burnt out. The entire transmission was rebuilt and runs great, but the car now seems to hesitate when pushing on the gas in third or forth gear especially on the highway.

26th Dec 2007, 11:13

I own a 1999 Grand Prix GT with 188,000 miles that I bought brand new, and have had very few problems with it. As far as major problems with this car, I have replaced the auto temp control sensor once, and the air conditioner actuator, and that's about it. I feel I must comment on the heating/air system in this car though. The fan motor runs fine, but the amount of air flow from the vents is questionable. From what I've read on some of the Pontiac comment sites, this is a common problem.

The only other problem I've had is the power windows. I have had every power window in this car repaired at least once, and two of the windows have been done twice. I am now about to have one of the windows repaired again. This will be the seventh time. It has been either the motor or the window regulator. Luckily I am married to a very (sweet) handy man, and he has been able to work on them for just the cost of the parts. the only problem is the parts are pretty high. Buying the motor is not too bad, but if you have to replace the regulator, it's only sold as an assembly that includes the motor. Over $350.00! Ouch! My husband has been keeping the spare motors and replacing the brushes in them so they can be reused.

I like this car and probably will keep it a couple of more years if it doesn't start falling apart a little at a time, but I think that when I choose another car, I will drive a few from other manufacturers, and even though I have driven GM cars most all my life, I believe the quality has really gone downhill.

9th Jan 2008, 10:42

I have a 2000 Grand Prix 3800 V-6, and am not getting very good gas mileage. Does anyone have any suggestions on what can be done? I had a tune-up recently, and this didn't seem to help.

1st Mar 2008, 13:17

Have a 1998 GP GT loaded with stuff including HUD. It's not supercharged.

It wouldn't turn over, replaced starter, not fixed. If you turned the key enough times it would start.

Removed the cover on the bottom of the steering column and moved the wires leading to the ignition switch; voila, the starting problem was gone.

This morning wife tells me the key wouldn't come out, turns off, but won't go the last step turning to the left. I told her earlier about the solenoid to push and she remembered, smarter than I. Now need to fix it, maybe put in a screw to hold it in. It was convenient that I left the cover off the steering column, all that stuff is exposed.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

WARNING: Be real careful to stay out of the way of the air bag if you puts with the wiring. If it deploys and you are near it, it can break your neck, DOA.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

17th Jan 2009, 13:23

The problem with not being able to shift from park and the locked steering problem go together, and the FIX I FOUND was to replace a burned out fuse (fuse box in the glove box, not under the hood). Fuse description is BTSI (automatic transaxle s*** lock control).

I was sooooooo happy that I found a fix - and I didn't have to spend a dime because I have spare fuses withing the fuse box under my hood.

:)