Single Mother needs advice

[Tovio]

since april of this year my 1999 Grandprix GT has been in/out of the dealership for repairs. The latest news I received was that the pressure control solenoid will need to be replaced. When I am driving, my car surges forward, and the RPM goes to zero, and then the track off light comes on. All this is happening when I am driving, then I would have to pull over to turn the car off and restart, once I restart the car, the car is Ok to drive again. The dealership wants to charge me $1200.00 just for the pressure control solenoid not including labor. I already spent about $4000.00 for a new computer, thruttle body, driver's window motor & switch, and motor fan sensor. It seems as if I am being taken advantage of here. HELP!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Tovio

since april of this year my 1999 Grandprix GT has been in/out of the dealership for repairs. The latest news I received was that the pressure control solenoid will need to be replaced. When I am driving, my car surges forward, and the RPM goes to zero, and then the track off light comes on. All this is happening when I am driving, then I would have to pull over to turn the car off and restart, once I restart the car, the car is Ok to drive again. The dealership wants to charge me $1200.00 just for the pressure control solenoid not including labor. I already spent about $4000.00 for a new computer, thruttle body, driver's window motor & switch, and motor fan sensor. It seems as if I am being taken advantage of here. HELP!

How did the dealer determine your pressure control solenoid (PCS) for the tranny was bad? Regardless, $1200 is too much. Take it to a good transmission shop. It should be around $400 - $500 with the part.

On the rpms going to zero and the trac light coming on, it sounds like the crankshaft position sensor (CKPS) is going out on you.

Although not all dealers take advantage of people this one sounds like a rip off.




Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM, SLP Headers,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, 2.5 DP/Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 72mm TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 103,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials
1/4 ET: 13.210 sec. @ 104.490 mph
0 - 60 ft: 1.945 sec.

[GTP Dad]

I totally agree with Bob, this dealer is ripping you off possibly because you are a woman. The cost to replace the PCS is the price Bob mentioned. As for the CPS it is a relatively inexpensive part but does require some tools to replace. Find another dealer or a local mechanic to replace it for you. It will cost you a couple hundred dollars to get fixed.

I also recommend an AAMCO, Cottman Transmission or other transmission shop to do the diagnosis and repair on your transmission. They may find that the PCS if fine and something else is causing the problem. Which could be far cheaper to repair.

Welcome to the Pontiac forum of AF!!!

[Tovio]

Thanks for the advice I took my car into a trans shop and they told me my (CKPS) is going bad, this is causing the RPM to drop to zero will I am driving, I will get that repaired next week for $264.05 (parts & labor).

But they did mention that my transmission probably will need to be rebuilt, they are getting some kind of code which is causing a long delay when the car is shifting and quoted me a price of $1800.00 for a rebuilt transmission, is this a reasonable price or should I research other shops?

[GTP Dad]

$1800 is a reasonable price for a total rebuild. When my GTP needed a trans rebuild it cost $2400 to rebuild. But they gave me a three year warranty.

[BNaylor]

I agree with GTP Dad. That price is fair. On the tranny DTC error code it was probably P1811 which is a long/delayed shift error. Thats how the dealer determined it was a pressure control solenoid (PCS) based on a technical service bulletin (TSB).

When was the last time the ATF fluid and filter were changed/serviced on the transmission?

In the interim, you might want to try putting in a tranny additive such as Lubegard or Sea Foam. It may or may not help but it costs under $10.00.





Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM, SLP Headers,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, 2.5 DP/Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 72mm TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 103,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials
1/4 ET: 13.210 sec. @ 104.490 mph
0 - 60 ft: 1.945 sec.