Got a Free car with Free Problems - 1992 Grand Prix

[Q-Ball23]

Update Feb 28 2007
Havent been here in a Long time, just wanted to say cars working alright. Done lots of work to it, just yesterday I found my brakes arent working like they should.
Everything else is working alright. I've learned alot, and I'm doing things on my own now.

Massive update!

The car is working fine now. A lot has been done to it since my last post.
My first problem was starting. I got that fixed with a new battery.
And my Check Gauges light is OFF. I found a fix for it. You need to take your cluster out and re solder some pins!
Also I got my rad fans to kick in. Guess there was nothing wrong. The temp sensor did go up.

Also here is the list of what was wrong with the car when I got it

- Bad Struts (possible calipers) -> Everyone says its fine ( 1 Caliper is seized (Driver Rear). Going to replace both rears in a few days when weather gets nicer )
- Gas lines rusted -> Just a little bit of rust. No holes
- Emergency Brake (the line dangles under the car) Who cares
- needs new breaks -> Installed
- needs new rotars -> Installed on Rear only. Fronts will be on a nice day
- seized bearings -> Don’t know. How can you tell if your bearings are seized?
- needs new mufflers -> Installed
- needs new wipers -> Installed
- Needs body work and new paint -> Installed/Done

What has been done to the car before I got it

- New Engine put in at 160,000 km. Has 172,000 now
- New Gas Tank
- 4 New Tires

I did the following so far:
- Oil change with new oil filter
- New Wipers
- New Mufflers (need to be installed)
- Peanut lights in the front and back bumpers
- Replaced a Headlight (now only one turns on)
- Raingaurds
- The Club, and This Club for the break installed
- And now charged the battery.

I just want the car running nice, smooth and a few more horsepower. Maybe Tint the windows, get some nicer rims and a newer body style.

My problem right now for driving is a seized Caliper. I wont be able to change that till spring, but its not that big of a deal.

If anyone has info for performance parts, nothing expensive, just easy stuff to do, please let me know!

Thanks for the help!

[richtazz]

try a different battery first. Sounds like you might have a dead shorted cell in your battery, and it's causing your computer to get bad signals from it's array of sensors.

[Q-Ball23]

Ok, I borrowed a power trickler to charge my cars battery. I left it for 6 hours. Turn it on, not a problem. Turned it off to see if the car could turn on by itself. Removed the trickler and fired her back up. So the Car is alive. Dropped it in reverse, took it for a spin, parked it in reverse and shut it off. I always still get my "check gauages"and the light near my gas tank. (even though its 3/4 full) All though, i always have drove it with these on.

Anyways, going to see if it can fire up on her own tomorrow. I'm going to edit my first post to tell everything that has been done with the car. My other question is: How do i remove the battery if the wash fluid container is in the way. I cant seem to find out how its all connected. Sorry, I know my stuff about pc's, but cars is a little different. I'm not scared or anything cause most of the time a pc is more fragile than a car

Anyways, if it could be the battery, i need to check the water levels (told by a friend) But, I need to get it out first

[Q-Ball23]

Ok, heres an update. Changed the oil today. Runs so much better. Was idling at 1,200. Smoothed down to about 750-800. Not cutting out either. Replaced the oil filter as well.

I also bought a Haynes Repair Booklet for 20 bucks at canadian tire. Going to try and fix most of it myself.

I know the a/c is gone too. Any Idea how i can get at the back spark plugs?

[richtazz]

to get to the rear plugs, you need to take the upper "dog bone" motor mounts off and rock the engine forward.

[jlprix]

Ignore the check gauges and low fuel light - common problem on these cars - same problem in my 92 GP. It is easier and less expensive to ignore them than try to fix them as they are false warnings - black electrical tape works well to cover them if they bother you. Learn to check your gauges and the gas gauge and never let it run too low as a fuel pump with age can fail when it is run dry. The diagnostic system on this car is far better than the check gauges light - but be careful in using and follow instructions in your Haynes manual.

[richtazz]

the check guages light is on because of the faulty temp guage. I would bet that the temperature sender in the rear cylinder head has failed.

[Q-Ball23]

Originally Posted by richtazz

the check guages light is on because of the faulty temp guage. I would bet that the temperature sender in the rear cylinder head has failed.

Last time I check the Temp was working and my fans on my rad kicked in. Still Check Gauges comes on. I was told it could be from the new engine put in?

[richtazz]

the check guages light works in conjunction with the analog guages. When one of the guages gets into the "danger zone", it trips the check guages light. It could be lit due to teh fuel guage being near empty, the oil pressure reading low, temp too high, etc... It could be that the new engine came from a car without guages or a different year could have a differently calibrated sensor than your car does, causing it to read out of range.

[Q-Ball23]

Well my gas is low, But I am not driving it right now. I am going to put it on the road in spring. (Late April)
As for my oil pressure, its high. It normally goes past the gauage a little bit.
And temps are cool now here in Canada cause of winter.
In the manual, it says the only things that would cause the check gauges lights to come on are oil pressure or engine coolant temp gage is pointing in the red area ( Low pressure, and too hot )
And if these arent the problems, it means there is something wrong with your vehicle's charging system.

How can I tell if this engine was susposed to be like the one it should be?
In my Haynes manual, it looks pretty much the same.

[richtazz]

My 91 Grand Prix I used to have would trip the "check guages" light when the fuel was below 1/8 tank to remind you before you ran out of gas. My 99 I drive now has a low fuel light, but the older ones didn't.

[Q-Ball23]

Well before when I was driving it last summer, the check gauges light would always be on. Even if I filled it. The odd thing was, after driving on the highway for a good hour, the light went out. Any other idea's? I will get a gas can and put about 40 bucks in to her and see if that changes anything.

[Q-Ball23]

Ok, i fixed the check gauges light. I guess its a known problem. Solution is found here http://w-body.com/
Goto W-Problems on the left
and then just click "Check Gauges" and/or "Fuel Low" indicators always on
and you will get your instructions. Very good site, and the forum rocks.

[Q-Ball23]

Just a little update to say I'm still alive and the cars working alright.