99 Grand Prix.....HELP!

[Wiglz48060]

Ok...so there have been ongoing issues with my latest purchase! I bought the car in October...the check engine light has came on repeatedly for no apparent reason and then shut itself off since I bought it??? Also...when I stay at a consistent 60mph the ABS and traction light are coming on.

Next problem...within the last week I have noticed that when I turn right I have a ticking noise on the front passenger side???

AND...I cant find a passenger wiper arm for this car anywhere....


Can ANYONE help me with ANY of this???? PLEASE!!!!!!

Ok I'll admit...Im a semi "car dumb" woman.....

[richtazz]

First of all, Welcome to the Forums. We don't discriminate against the fairer sex here, so the semi "car dumb" woman comment will be stricken from the record . The ABS light and ticking sound are classic front hub bearing symptoms. The ABS wheel speed sensor is part of the hub bearing, so when the hubs start to go bad, they will trip the ABS and usually the Trac-off lights. The check engine light will require you to have the car scanned, as all OBDII computers need a scan tool to retrieve the codes. If you have an Advance Auto or Auto-Zone in your area, they will scan it for free for you. Have them make a print-out and post the results here. Their scan tools are not ABS capable though, so to narrow down which hub is bad, you'll have to take the car to a garage with an ABS capable scanner( although the ticking coming from the passenger side kinda points the finger at that hub). The right hand wiper arm is GM part #10300573, and dealer retail is only $28.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by richtazz

The ABS light and ticking sound are classic front hub bearing symptoms. The ABS wheel speed sensor is part of the hub bearing, so when the hubs start to go bad, they will trip the ABS and usually the Trac-off lights.

What Rich is referring to is this in the pics concerning the Hub/Bearing problem

Grand Prix hub front & rear shot:

[Wiglz48060]

ack......Is this gonna break the bank???

[richtazz]

The hubs run about $120-$160 depending on what brand you buy. Avoid Chinese made hubs, as they are extremely problematic. Stick with AC-Delco, they include new mount bolts.

[Wiglz48060]

Ok next dumb question...I have to make a trip this weekend is it safe to drive?

[richtazz]

As long as it isn't howling constantly, you should be fine.

[Wiglz48060]

No howling yet....just the annoying ticking when I turn right

[Wiglz48060]

So - car is currently in the shop - they attempted to make the noise go away yesterday by replacing the wheel barring and said the axle was fine? Noise is still there - whenever you turn right

Today they're suggestion I change the drive shaft????

Also.....they say it needs a tranny flush - how much does this usually run?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Wiglz48060

So - car is currently in the shop - they attempted to make the noise go away yesterday by replacing the wheel barring and said the axle was fine? Noise is still there - whenever you turn right

Today they're suggestion I change the drive shaft????

Also.....they say it needs a tranny flush - how much does this usually run?

How many miles are on your GP?

A tranny flush is not recommended if you have over a certain mileage on the car.

[richtazz]

I agree with Bob, do not do a tranny flush if your mileage is over 70k. There are multiple posts on this forum where we discuss the disadvantages of trans flushes. Do a pan drop, filter change, and replace only the fluid that drained from the pan. Is the noise the same exact noise, or a similar noise? If they used an impact wrench while installing the hub, they could have ruined the new hub. What brand hub did you buy( the cheap ones are normally junk right out of the box)?

[BNaylor]

Even 70K miles could be too high. I wouldn't do a flush whether full power or fluid exchange if it has over 50K miles.

Like Rich said the pan drop will suffice. Better safe than sorry later.

[Wiglz48060]

Its got 210,000 miles on it! They said the fluid is really bad in it???

Dont know what brand hub they attempted to replace it with?? Just wondering if a drive shaft would make the sound?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Wiglz48060

Its got 210,000 miles on it! They said the fluid is really bad in it???

Get a can of Seafoam tranny additive. Put it in and run it for about one tankful of gas. Then just do a pan drop. You will need approximately 7.5 quarts of Dextron III ATF. I recommend using the AC Delco screen filter TF304. Use good quality ATF like Castrol. Do not use synthetic ATF.

You can re-use the oil pan gasket.

BTW - The Seafoam additive goes into the tranny not gas tank.

[richtazz]

If the fluid is so bad that it "needs" to be flushed, the trans is already damaged and a flush will not help. I would almost guarantee that if they do the flush, you'll need a trans in less than 15k.