mdawgmike

I was told to beware of this model, but looks just drew me into buying it back in 2004. It was in really good mechanical condition when I first bought and owned the car (at 70k miles). I've had zero problems with it until about a year ago.

First a bit of history with recent possible issues...

I had a minor accident where someone forgot to stop and t-boned me at about 5-10mph. I got body work done and with the extra insurance money i repainted it from teal to black as I had always wanted too. This is when the problems started.

My first group of problems (during summer 2006) consisted of my car randomly dieing. Cranking, restarting then immediately dying. After replacing several other parts and two computers (first one they put in was defective) the car worked fine until just recently. This may or may not be related to my current problem.

The most recent set started occuring toward the middle of this month (January). The first odd event was my "low oil level" light going on while I was driving (my oil level was fine), this only went on long enough for me to notice it (10-15 seconds) then went out so I thought I was fine. The next day my car randomly died (didn't sputter, no warning lights or anything, it just shut off) in traffic and would crank but not start. I had it towed to my local mechanic and it started up just fine for them. They noticed a frayed wire leading to the computer which they touched up and the car worked fine until today. It did the same thing for me twice driving home from work, it just randomly died. I got it to start right away the first time, but the "low oil level" light went on and stayed on, this concerned me so after about 10 seconds of driving it I pulled back over and shut the car off. I waited a few seconds then started the car (no "low oil level" light this time) and I drove fine for another few miles then died again. This time it would crank, but not start from me and I called for a ride. By the time my ride got there (about 20 mins after my car had died) it started up and I was able to get it home (no oil light this time either).

Anyone know/experience this peculiar problem? My oil resevoir is full (at 5.5qts) so I have no clue as to why I'm getting a low oil level light (oil pump maybe?). The more important one (my car randomly dieing) just throws me off altogether. Do I possibly have a faulty oil pump and my car is dying as a precaution or something? It's also been somewhat cold (around 10F here in Northern Illinois). Any one who knows please let me know as I don't wan't to keep throwing money at my mechanic.

Thanks in advance
~Mike~

richtazz

The next time it dies, immediately clean the dipstick and check the oil level. Then wait a minute or two and check it again. If it's significantly higher the second time, you may have sludge blocking the oil return ports causing the oil to get stuck in the top of the engine, causing the low oil light to come on and the car to shut off.

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mdawgmike

I took my car into my local Pontiac dealership. After the diagnostics the problem was destermined to be...surprise surprise...the PCM (Powertrain Control Module aka ECM or simply "the computer"). My car never died for them, but it didn't start for awhile (same problem I had when it died the most recent time). When the car wouldn't start the "service engine soon" light didn't come on with the rest of the bulb tests (no contact/response from the PCM). They said when they jiggled the PCM it came back online for them and the car would start.

I'm a little concerned though, because this would be the third "bad" computer that I've had in less than a year. I'm thinking its something else (like maybe a bad connection somewhere), but I don't really know where to start. I really have no choice in the matter on what to fix as I'm stuck with the diagnostics charge, but the PCM is on warranty so the part itself is free. Any one else had PCM "issues" with their 1994-1996 GTP? Is something possibly causing my PCMs to go bad? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

richtazz

What brand reman PCM did you get? If it's by Cardone, there is your issue. Their reman electronics are GARBAGE!! Because the PCM is under the hood, they are exposed to the elements, and the harnesses can get corroded. A visual inspection would confirm this.

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