96 Grand Am

[hchapman76]

I just bought a 96 grand am in october well everytime it rains or the snow melts my floors get soaked in the front does anyone else have this problem? I have taken it back to the dealer I bought it from 4 times and he is continuing to give me the run around ! Also if the steering wheel is soft where the air bag should be does that mean there is no air bag, The horn don't work either! Or the power windows! I think I got a lemon but I just wanted to see if these things were known to happen in grand ams ! I had a 91 grand am years ago and the only problem it gave me was the quad 4 engine kept blowing heads so I got rid of it! Well thanks for any input you can give me!

[Ridenour]

Do you have a sunroof? If so, you could have a plugged sunroof drain.

As far as the air bag, if it's really soft, then it sounds like it was most likely removed. (which might also explain the horn). It could very well be a lemon.

[hchapman76]

No there is no sunroof and they did some sealing in along the firewall resealed the drains on the floor and was supposed to take my winshield out and reseal it but they said they did that but I know different,thats why I say the guy is giving me the run around.
As for the steering wheel being soft I think it is pretty soft so I don't think there is an airbag in it but I am not sure how to tell for sure. I don't know if I should mess around with turning this guy in for selling me a car like this or just go and trade it in on something else.

[Ridenour]

Hmm I'm not sure what to tell ya. I don't know much about the "lemon" laws or any of that stuff.

My advice would be to post a thread about this in the "Coffee Break" / Completely off-topic section. Lots of people see that and somebody might be able to tell you what to do in this situation.

Actually, now that I think about it, there's actually a lemon forum somewhere around here. I think it's under "cars in general"

good luck.

[hchapman76]

Thank you I will look into it !!!!!!

[Ridenour]

No problem - and welcome to the forum

[hchapman76]

Originally Posted by Ridenour

No problem - and welcome to the forum

Thank you I just posted in the lemon law forum so hopefully I can figure out what to do. I just don't want this to happen to anyone else because it really stinks.

[suzieq50]

I also purchased a 1996 Gran Am and we have the same problem with the water collecting on the driver's side floor after rain and snow. After taking it back for repairs it still pooling...so we were told to have the heater core checked, so Monday it is back to the shop.

[suzieq50]

same problem...check heater core

[hchapman76]

Thank you please let me know what you find out about your but I always thought if it was the heater core it got wet on the passenger side? But hey let me know !
Thanks

[msredneck]

i have the same car and my cd player won't work it says e20 which means focus error but how do i fix this i'm new at this web stuff so you can email me at [email protected] thank you if you have any answers for me

[Ridenour]

Originally Posted by msredneck

i have the same car and my cd player won't work it says e20 which means focus error but how do i fix this i'm new at this web stuff so you can email me at [email protected] thank you if you have any answers for me

Welcome to the forum redneck. From now on, when you have a new question, start a new thread instead of posting it in a different one.

From what I know, the E20 error essentially means that your lens is shot. This can be due to a scratch, being to dirty, and other things - but it's essentially impossible to fix. The only thing you can do is to buy a new cd player or put in an aftermarket one. Sorry to break the news man.

[Hoags]

If the leaks you are talking about are from the heater core you would be loosing coolant from the radiator or overflow bottle. The puddle would be on the passenger side floor and the fluid would be coolant not water, unless for some reason you are running straight water in the cooling system and if you are you will most likely develop other problems in the engine.
The leaks sound like a clogged drain hole at the fire wall or torn/ripped weather strip around the doors. Check out the weather strips no one has mentioned anything about that. That's my 2 cents worth.

[hchapman76]

Thank you for your input I didn't think it was the heater core due to it being on the driver side. Now it does occasioally leak on the passenger side but nothing real major and it is water not coolant. I use straight coolant in my radiator and am not loosing any. Now we have checked the weather stripping and it all seems fine. As for the drain holes at the fire wall I never knew there was any or even where to begin to look. The did supposedly reseal the drain plugs in the floor. But thanks for your suggestions and if there is anymore let me know! Can you tell me where the drain plugs are at the firewall and I can check into that! Thanks a bunch!!!!!

[Hoags]

Maybe I chose the wrong word by using drain hole, What I should have said was to look in the area of the firewall the water gets into the engine compartment along the firewall and at the area of the hood hinges it must drain along the firewall somewhere. Check the gromets,in areas where the wires and cables come through to the engine. That is just a suggestion.

Have you looked in the area of the door jamb, if not look in the car side not the door side, there is a large hole where the door wires exit the car to the door they are located in a flexible rubber hose, check the hose and seal (where it meets the pillar). I have seen the hose develop a crack from the door being opened and closed, the crack was on the back side of the hose where it can't be seen. Just another thought.

Water leaks and electrical problems, both are the most difficult to deal with. I hope the above give you some new direction to look in.

If I think of anything else I'll go a head and post.