2000 Intrigue...a few probs

[doberman_52]

2000 Intrigue with 3.5, auto trans, 170k miles

Starting issue
Security light comes on ever once in a while
Exhaust leak-1 off rear manifold, 1 from resonator
Short in driver front blinker, and bad switch

CEL codes say:
MAF bad
Crank/cam sensors bad
Both O2 sensors bad
Misfire on cyl 3

Now the O2 sensors are im guessing due to the exhaust leak from the rear manifold, gettin that fix hopefully soon. Every once in a while when you go to start the car, all accessories turn on, but the starter does nothing, not even a click. Boost it for 5 min and she will usually start up. Its just a random thing, battery and alternator test good. Any ideas? Car will also bog down randomly, and sometimes not shift for a little while, then shift hard when it finally does. Not sure bout crank and cam sensors, one was replaces shortly before we got the car, not sure which one. Did clean the MAF, helped for a little while, but then went back to loss of power, etc, so I know it does need that. Just lookin for some ideas on where to start with this car, been a PITA since we got it....

[dtownfb]

I would get the crank and camshaft position sensors replaced. You may be able to them yourself if you're handy. That may/may not solve some of the driveability issues.

I would buy a used MAF off of Ebay. I bought one a couple of years ago for my 2000 Intrigue. It worked fine plus I knew i was going to change cars within the next year.

How many miles do you have on the Intrigue and have you changed the spark plugs?

[doberman_52]

I can do the crank and cam sensors, just really not lookin forward to payin $60 a piece for them. The car has 170k on it, haven't done anything with plugs or wires. So far we have done fuel pump, control arm bushings, one tie rod end, one half shaft, one wheel bearing, and one tire. We haven't even had it for 6 months and already needing to put over a grand into it. Labor alone to fix the exhaust leak is close to a grand.

[LittleHoov]

The starting issue and Security issue are probably related, sounds like an issue with either the ignition switch itself or the Passlock portion, since youre getting a Security light, its probably the Passlock...there are a variety of methods of dealing with it, do some searching on here and theyre all discussed quite a bit...I just disabled mine, but thats definitely the cheapest option haha.

Given that the crank and cam sensors both have to do with ignition, it could be that them being bad has caused your misfire code...does the misfire code keep coming back if you clear them? If so something you can try relatively easily is swap the 2 coil packs, if your code moves to another cylinder you have a bad coil (I have yet to see or hear of one going bad, but its possible). If not you know its something to do with that cylinder.

Could you elaborate a little more on the short in the blinker? I have heard a few cases of flasher problems, mine does it every once in a while where the blinker will turn on but it wont flash....a good firm smack on the dash right above the flasher always seems to do the trick.

[carbon02]

For the Blinker issue inspect all the bulb to wiring connectors that are actually inside the front headlight that is having a problem. Connectors can get so hot that they fall apart causing a short.

2000 Intrigues have had bad Hazard/Flasher Switches. I have replaced this on the 2000, and I would start with that after insecting connectors for each bulb. Unfortunately all the wiring for the flashers and turn signals runs through the hazzard switch, and it's replaced as a entire item.

It's about $40.00 and I've noticed that rockauto now caries them. I ended up needing to get it at the dealer.

I believe the 2000 Impala and Grand Am actually had a recall for the switches. I realize their different cars, but if you look at the functional part of the switch they all appear nearly the same. Just different buttons that come through the dash.

Follow the instructions for the ignition switch removal, and remove either the radio or the center vent to gain access.

[doberman_52]

If i clear the codes, it seems to be fine for about a week and then the CEL light comes on again. I had all the codes but the misfire one til about 2 or 3 months ago when we noticed the light flashing one day. it hasn't flashed in the last 3 weeks that I know of, but i believe it flashed on the misfire. I will try swapping the coils packs around and see if it moves. just waiting on getting some money for the sensors right now. Hasn't shifted eraticly in a while either now...just realized that one. I guess the last time it wouldnt start, the battery charger/boster said the battery was at about 45% so I think I'm gonna retest that too, but ill definitely check for the passlock stuff.

As far as the blinker, front driver center bulb, put a new light in, within 2 days, the connector part fries up on one pat of the bulb. Driver side will flash fast for the light in the dash and in the rear, but the passenger side will only click fast and not flash anywhere. Its constant, hasn't changed from working to not working and vise versa at all, just stopped one day. So if the connector is getting really hot, whats the fix for that? for the passenger side, i was figuring putting in a different turning stalk and go from there.

[doberman_52]

And when I push the hazard button, all 3 working blinkers flash normally.