1999 Grand Am Mulitple Problems - ABS Light, Power Steering, OVERHEATING!

[Bossman325]

Sorry guys, have multiple problems with my wife's 1999 Grand Am. It is a V6 3.4L.

1.) First when we bought it used we noticed it had a power steering problem. When you first start the car it is loose and feels fine. But after you drive it for a while and the car starts to heat up it gets really tough to turn. Not making any noise and the fluid is full. I drained and refilled the fluid once already too. Could this be a pump?

2.) Second problem. We also noticed when we got it that the ABS light was on. The guy we bought it from said that it was just because the fluid was low, but it was full of fluid. He said we could also just disconnect the sensor from the caliper and it would reset it; haven't tried that yet. I notice whenn i depress the pedal that it doesn't quite feel right. It doesn't feel squishy or soft, but more like really hard to push and like it is chattering.

3.) Last and worst - Overheating. We have replaced the radiator, water pump, thermostat (3 times), had the entire system flushed out and checked for leaks and had a mechanic use a sniffer (thats what he called it) check the heads and block for cracks and there weren't any. My mechanic has been working on cars for 45 years and said this was the first car he has ever delt with that he couldn't fix. He doesn't know what is wrong with it. He said when he flushed out the heatercore it was full of all kinds of crap and stuff.

What the car is doing is when we first got it, it ran fine and when we turned on the heat it blew out fine, nice and hot and warm. But when we turned it over to A/C it blew out even hotter than the heater side did. Then after about 3 weeks the car started to overheat. We did all kinds of stuff and fixed everything we could, as mentioned above. The car would blow heat for a while and then go cold once it started to warm up and overheat. When it overheats, the coolant comes out of the overflow on the resevoir tank, or radiator tank since there is no real radiator cap on this car, just a plastic tank.

Now, I noticed that if i keep the car on the A/C, it doesnt overheat, but as soon as I turn it over to the heater it gets hotter and overheats.

Could the overheating and power steering be related somehow?

I need some help guys, any suggestions would be wonderful on any of my problems.

[3100]

Hi you need new reservoir cap it is 4.95 at autozone. When you buy new one compare it to your old one and take a close look at the rubber seal inside of the old cap. Everything will be clear to you then.

ps: if system is not sealing right your coolant then has lower point of boiling and then you get steam and air pockets and all that bad stuff. Properly sealed system raises your coolant's point of boiling.

[Bossman325]

Thanks.

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF Bossman325 !

#1 does sound like your pumps not working when it gets hot. Though it wouldnt hurt to drain and refill with new fluid and see if that helps.
When you drain it before was it brown/black ??

#2 Only way to find out for sure about the ABS light would be to get it scanned with an ABS capable scan tool.

#3 If you've done all that to your cooling system, its possble you could just have an air pocket trapped.
And at worse it possibly could be a LI/head gasket leaking, another typical GA problem.
Though Id assume your mech. has checked for those things, since he used a sniffer.

Hope that helps and Good Luck!

[Bossman325]

#1 - The fluid when I drained it the first time was a little dark, kind of brown. Is there an easier way to drain it, cause I just sucked it out with a syringe? Do I need to replace my pump if its not working when it gets hot?

#2 - About how much do does a scanner cost?

#3 - My mech. check all that out and said the Head Gasket looked fine. Whats the best and easiest way to get the air out?

[evo-00]

There is a bleeder on the coolant line that runs behind the oil fill over the valve cover. The bleeder is towards the front of the motor (left side of the engine comp.) and has a 7mm head on it. Warm up the car first, then shut motor off and open bleeder. Don't open while motor is running or it will suck in more air.

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by Bossman325

#1 - The fluid when I drained it the first time was a little dark, kind of brown. Is there an easier way to drain it, cause I just sucked it out with a syringe? Do I need to replace my pump if its not working when it gets hot?

#2 - About how much do does a scanner cost?

#3 - My mech. check all that out and said the Head Gasket looked fine. Whats the best and easiest way to get the air out?

1) Yeah you can disconnect one of the hoses, here are a couple links with the pump change procedure, kind of a PITA to change on these 3.4's, a the flush.

Flushing Your Power Steering System

N Body Power Steering Pump Removal-includes Reservoir & EVO(VAS)


2) A good scan tool that can read ABS codes could cost up to $300+. Though Most mom & pop shops have these available and usualy dont charge much for a scan. The stealership, could cost $100+ to get it scanned.

3) If evo-00's direction dont help, here is a link that might . http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=718130

[Bossman325]

Am I supposed to be using Dexcool for coolant in this car. Ya know that Orange colored coolant? Cause on the tank it looks like it says so, but it looks like someone marked it out saying not to.

[xeroinfinity]

If its got orange/yello looking fluid fluid you most likly have Dex in there. Though if its green I wouldnt add Dex to that!!
When you mix the two they'll gel up and clog your cooling system. Especialy the heater core, a real pita to clea out too!

I run Dex in my SE but I use green in the GT.

[3100]

how about that coolant reservoir cap? $4.95

[xeroinfinity]

Id like to have a hundred of those resv. caps if they're only $4.95.
Last time I was in the Zone or Advance, they were $10-12 , and they were some off brand pos.
Still a inexpensive part to resolve any issues.

These resv. are good about cracking around the neck and leaking. Someone saved a few pennies by scimpin out on the plastic, thats gm.

[3100]

sorry my fault, it is 4.99
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...equestid=61382

[xeroinfinity]

that one isnt the right one for a 99+ grand am .

Wow just nocited the zones site is different.
Here is the 99+ cap.