Can only drive 30mph - 01 grand prix gt

braszka6984 · 05-10-2007, 04:39 PM

I was doing 65 - 70 on the highway the other night and wanted to pass someone. I pushed on the gas but the engine only reved and I had no acceleration ( only two people in the car, but the trunk was full and heavy). After that the gears didnt shift smoothly and i would have to gas it and then let up for the car to "catch". It felt as if I was stuck in a higher gear. When i come to a stop I can accelerate in first gear fine but once I get to 15 mph the car just will not accelerate. I drove it to the shop yesterday and it was even worse. I cant get the car to do more than 2000 rpm. So it takes about 30 seconds to get to 25-30 mph. The guy at the shop ran a scanner on it and said that there was no transmission error (this was a transmission shop i took it to). He said that it has to be something in the electrical or engine. I have read many other posts about sluggish starts and jumping that I feel it has to be something with the transmission (PCS, TCC) or the PCM itself needs to be upgraded. This problem came out of nowwhere and I need to get it fixed quickly. If you have any input it would be greatly appreciated!

JonJon68 · 05-10-2007, 05:52 PM

I had the same symtoms with my 97 GPGT and the problem ended up to be my "Throttle Postion Sensor" (TPS). Just my 2 cents, hope this can narrow your problem down a bit.

BNaylor · 05-10-2007, 06:47 PM

The TPS is a possibility but since this is a 2001-2002 Grand Prix with SII 3800 take note of the following concerning the issue of a clogged CAT convertor:

Click here

Also, it would help to post the mileage.

JonJon68 · 05-10-2007, 07:16 PM

Excellent thread Bob. I would lean towards that as the leading probable cause.

braszka6984 · 05-10-2007, 09:58 PM

Thanks for you quick response. The car has about 80K on it. I bought it with around 76K last july. I will talk to the mechanic tomorrow and tell him about the possible cat problem. Not sure hes gonna like me tellin him how to do his job though. lol

BNaylor · 05-11-2007, 12:30 AM

Just make sure you don't have him replace it or provide the part. The base CAT convertor warranty is 8 years or 80K miles, whichever comes first. The notice stated that GM will extend the CAT warranty to 10 years or 120K miles whichever comes first and the part/labor is free. So best thing to do is take it to the local Pontiac dealer where they can test and confirm it is the CAT and replace it. The warranty extension should carry over to all subsequent owners of the car.

braszka6984 · 05-18-2007, 11:04 AM

So the guy at the shop needed three days to pinpoint the problem with the clogged cat converter (which I told him the possibility of). I paid about $270 for three hours of diagnostic charges and new fuel and air filters. I have taken my car to the GM dealer and the service guy called me today to say that the cat is definately clogged and that the throttle body and fuel injectors need to be cleaned b/c thats what caused the clogged cat. They are replacing the cat free of charge but want to charge me $300 for the cleaning. Does this sound resonable. I need to get back to the service manager soon so a quick reply would really help. Thanks, Brian

BNaylor · 05-18-2007, 11:20 AM

That is typical of the dealer service department. Catch 22 situation. In most cases a misfire condition or dirty fuel injectors could cause the CAT convertor to go South but since you have a year that qualifies under the GM advisory it is a different situation because GM admitted to a defect with the CAT convertor so their claim is disputable.

Quote:

This letter is intended to make you aware that some 2001-02 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; and Buick Regal model vehicles, equipped with a 3.4L or 3.8L V6 engine, may have a condition where the catalytic converter is replaced due to complaints of lack of power or illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL). This may be due to the front endcone insulation from the catalytic converter breaking away and blocking the front of the first catalyst brick and preventing the free flow of exhaust gas through the converter.

$300 is expensive for a fuel injector service and throttle body cleaning but dealers may charge that much versus other auto shops.

The decision is yours based on the circumstances. Personally I'd have them do the CAT and take it elsewhere at a more reasonable cost or do the throttle body and fuel injector cleaning myself but not everyone has that capability. One advantage of letting them do the work is they should provide a warranty so if you still have problems after the work is done then you can take it back to them. Good luck.

richtazz · 05-18-2007, 04:57 PM

I agree with bnayor on the other services. The dealer may just be trying to get some $$ out of you while they are doing warranty work. I'd have them do the cat and see what happens. You may not need anything else. If you do, you can always take it back later.

troy1 · 05-18-2007, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richtazz

I agree with bnayor on the other services. The dealer may just be trying to get some $$ out of you while they are doing warranty work. I'd have them do the cat and see what happens. You may not need anything else. If you do, you can always take it back later.

I agree also you can't keep the doors open just doing warranty work

BNaylor · 05-19-2007, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy1

also you can't keep the doors open just doing warranty work

Do you really think any of us care whether the stealership keeps it's door open.

A line has to be drawn when it comes to rip off which includes misrepresentation based on deceptive trade practices and charging outrageous prices for service and parts. Plus the dealers get some form of reimbursement from GM on providing warranty work for both parts and labor. They do not do it for free or out of the kindness of their hearts.

troy1 · 05-20-2007, 11:28 AM

I could care less to if the dealers shop closed, more work for me. What I meant was the dealer is just adding junk to the bill because they can't just do warranty work and expect to stay open. GM could care less they give the bottom dollar for reimbursement on the work. So they take you to the cleaners with all the other stupid stuff.

Troy

Den69RS96 · 05-24-2007, 09:17 AM

Wow, I guess my dealer is the exception. My car was just at the dealer the other day with the same symptoms. I pretty much new the cat was clogged. I dropped it off two nights ago. They called me yesterday afternoon and said the car was done. The cat was bad, replaced it free of charge and told me I could pick it up before they closed. They didn't bother to call me with the problems since it was a no charge service to me. If it ended up that it was something else, they would have called before they started work and they didn't try to bs me on cleaning my injectors etc. I know my dealer wants me to fill out completely satisfied on the surveys so they don't cut corners.

BNaylor · 05-24-2007, 10:38 AM

There are some good and reputable dealers out there. But few and far in between. The only one I trust is the local Cadillac dealer when it comes to service, however, limit my business with GM dealers unless it is definitely warranty coverage. GM/AC Delco parts are too expensive considering the other sources available. Alot of us are cheap bastards.

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