1996 Pontiac Trans Sport 2.3 electrical problems

[Forwardlook]

Hi,

I just joined the forum as it seems to be an excellent source for info. My gf has a 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport with the 2.3 engine. It has been acting wierd lately, first the ABS light came on after some driving, the charging system seems to malfunction as the gauge sometimes shows charging, sometimes not. Today while driving on the road the idle went to 3000 rpm and when coasting to the side of the road (in neutral, manual trans) the engine died by itself. Then no start as the battery seemed to be dead, she got home by a jumpstart but there was no visible charge at all during the way home. The high idle thing has happened a couple times before but without the engine dying. Is there a throttle position sensor or mass airflow sensor that could cause this as a separate problem to the charging? Or is there any chance that all these things are connected somehow?

The alternator is new and the starter is rebuilt. The battery is seven years old and needs to be replaced anyway but the high idle and engine dying pinpoints to something else. Or is this just a case of having multiple problems at once.

Any help appreciated.

[peachtree45]

I have a 1995 Trans Sport with the 2.1L engine. I am experiencing the same problem with the charging system including the ABS light coming on. After conducting extensive test on the charging circuit, I had no reason to suspect either the battery or the alternator. I still have this problem after replacing both the battery and the alternator. My battery gage shows about 11 volts when the problem is present and discharges to nothing from there. After charging the battery with a charger and starting the engine, it may or may not malfunction again. Sometimes while driving the van with the charging problem present, it corrects itself, sometimes with the charging working normally it starts to malfunction without notice. Help!

[Jeffrv]

A possible cause for intermittent electrical problems like you describe for charging/starting could be a loose or corroded auxilary post, located near the firewall on the drivers side, next to the ABS relay. It should be covered by a red plastic cover. Disconnect the negative post to the battery, then take all the connections off this post, and clean them, and retighten.
As far as the ABS, I would suspect either an open jumper harness to a wheel sensor, or a sensor itself.
Jeff

[peachtree45]

I am still having the problem with the charging circuit. After replacing the alternator last night (for the first tine as mentioned in the previous post), I started the engine. The battery went into charge immediately. I then conducted a road test of about 10 miles. During the road test, I stop about ten times, shut the engine off and restarted. It worked every time. Somewhere during the last 0.6 mile before getting home, I noticed that the problem had returned. I then did the following.
1. Carefully checked the three wires (field, Sense and charge) from the alternator for intermittent and defective fusible link. No problem found.
2. With ignition in drive, I checked the three wires at the alternator end for battery voltage. No problem found.
3. Took the wires off the auxiliary point next to the ABS relay (I think) and cleaned them then replaced all and tightened well. This auxiliary point has a large wire that comes directly from the battery's positive terminal.
4. Removed all wires from the Starter solenoid where a large wire from the battery's positive terminal is connected and cleaned them well. Inspected the fusible link and reconnect them and tightened well.
I am at my wit's end and can't afford to take the vehicle to the shop now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[sygnathus]

Good day dear all,
ı am writing from Turkey and I have PONTIAC TRANS SPORT 2.3
Unfortunately ı can't move my car because of ignition problem.
ı need all ignition spare parts (i.e. ignition module...)
Please kindly inform me, where can I buy these parts from the internet?
Thanks in advance.
Sergio

[Meridivs]

I got an Ignition Module and most of my other parts from www.rockauto.com There are other auto parts stores online but I haven't tried them so I cannot recommend any other.

[LMP]

Rock auto and most US part suppliers will list 2.3 parts under GrandAm , as the 2.3 was never installed on the american market TS. I bought an ignition module and crank sensor (3.8) new from e-bay, no problem.

A a comment to former posts about charging circuit, there is a fusible link linking the alternator and the starter, ( the tie point to the battery) , located at starter on V6 models.... A shorted alternator will blow this link and then a new alternator will not do any good until the link is replaced.

[Meridivs]

Speaking of which, LMP, where did you found those fusible links? I cannot locate them in rockauto.com catalog and at least one of my Pontiacs need them (most of the circuits are on direct now).

[bstatham]

Thanks for the help with the charging system only GM would be stupid enough to put a fuseable link beside the starter.

[edy_d_20]

hi, i have a pontiac trans sport from 1994 whit 2.3L motor, 137hp, and i have a problem whit the electrical ignition its burned inexplicable... please help me find a site or something because i want to bay one but i dont found nothing... thanks!
Excuse my English

[nicke66]

Originally Posted by edy_d_20

hi, i have a pontiac trans sport from 1994 whit 2.3L motor, 137hp, and i have a problem whit the electrical ignition its burned inexplicable... please help me find a site or something because i want to bay one but i dont found nothing... thanks!
Excuse my English

Please have a look at www.cars-stripes.com. Its a German webstore with plenty of spare parts for the TS. There is even a spare part catalouge with a lot of pictures that you can download.

[edy_d_20]

thank you very much, i appreciate!

[edy_d_20]

Originally Posted by nicke66

Please have a look at www.cars-stripes.com. Its a German webstore with plenty of spare parts for the TS. There is even a spare part catalouge with a lot of pictures that you can download.

hi, sorry but I do not find the ignition in German language... as they say electronic ignition? or please search for me and send me link, thanks!

[nicke66]

Originally Posted by edy_d_20

hi, sorry but I do not find the ignition in German language... as they say electronic ignition? or please search for me and send me link, thanks!

I am not sure what part you are looking for.

Have you find the spare part catalouge? Go to www.cars-strips.com then "webshop" and then "Ersatzteile nach Farzeugtypen" to the left. You can then choose to download the catalouge "Pontiac Trans Sport Bj. 1990-1996".

At page 18 you will find part 12-1217 "Zündmodule" (ignition module). Is that what you are looking for? There are also other ignition spare parts (Zündungsersatzteile), page 17 to 20. Even if you do no understand the german, there are pictures of every part.

[edy_d_20]

Thank you very much!