Help with 1999 Grand Prix

[Furbert2]

Having trouble with tac not working, trax light off going on and service engine light coming on, not all the time-intermittent.
I took it to the dealer when lights were on; they said I needed a new PCM. (Condensed story)
I now have a new PCM and much poorer in the pocket book, the car does the same as listed above no help from dealer except to throw more money at the car.
One last thing today the engine surged the trax light came on and the car died.
Thank ... I was not on the freeway.
As always my car resets its self once I turn the engine off and on again. What I mean by reset is the tac works, trax light off is not on and the service engine light is off.

Some days I have a wonderful car, yea it works... don't ask me about the other GM days...

I have a 99 Grand Prix GT 3800 over 100,000.

Thank you for any help or sledge hammer suggestion!

[radeck]

trac off, and abs light is most likely caused by bad cable or connection. Check your cables, and connactions to the wheel hubs. Just shake them one by one and observe trac off abs light, if connaction is bad light will go on and stay on. SES light it's probably different issue or maybe not, just my 2 cents...

[BNaylor]

It figures on the dealer. I've never known one that could troubleshoot or find a bad crank position sensor. Especially if the Tech II machine doesn't tell them anything.

Replace the crank position sensor and you'll be back in business.

[JonJon68]

Bob, yous the MAN! Great example on how valuable this forum is...: )

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by JonJon68

Bob, yous the MAN! Great example on how valuable this forum is...: )

Thanks for the kind words and confidence Paul. You've got me blushing. If I can help people save money, help avoid a rip off dealer or mechanic (both ASE and non-ASE) or shed some light on an issue I'm happy. Like being a good Samaritan. Best part is the help is free on our forum.

[richtazz]

bnaylor3400 (Bob) IS the man, that's for sure. I am also amazed that a dealer didn't know that a bad crank sensor would cause your symptoms. Just goes to show you that even the dealers have "parts swapper monkeys" that have no diagnostic skills. Welcome to the Forums Fubert2, I hope you find more answers on here BEFORE you trust the dealer. We do our best to steer you in the right direction. You're in very capable hands, especially with our friend and resident expert bnaylor3400.

[Furbert2]

Thank You all for your time I do appreciate it very much. I will keep you informed on my journey to get this baby fixed.
I would like to see if this car last's longer than my 1989 Grand Prix 3.1 that blew a head gasket. It only had 140,000...
Again Thank You! Have a wonderful day.
I love reading this site.

[wlkjr]

Originally Posted by Furbert2

Thank You all for your time I do appreciate it very much. I will keep you informed on my journey to get this baby fixed.
I would like to see if this car last's longer than my 1989 Grand Prix 3.1 that blew a head gasket. It only had 140,000...
Again Thank You! Have a wonderful day.
I love reading this site.

I have over 305,000 miles on my '97 and it stills runs very well and gets 25 mpg. The most I have spent at one time was about $425 on oil line,water pump, plugs, wires, cleaning injectors, and something else that I can't remember. A mechanic did that job. The other big expense was wheel hubs for $319 and I did the labor. I also did another water pump, rebuilt the alternator at 235,000 and it wasn't even out yet--cost for that was about $60, driver side power window switch, 1 new belt, a few small items and about 60 oil changes all of which I did except one. This has been the best car I've ever owned. Knock on wood. Hope you have as good luck as I have.

[Furbert2]

Originally Posted by wlkjr

I have over 305,000 miles on my '97 and it stills runs very well and gets 25 mpg. The most I have spent at one time was about $425 on oil line,water pump, plugs, wires, cleaning injectors, and something else that I can't remember. A mechanic did that job. The other big expense was wheel hubs for $319 and I did the labor. I also did another water pump, rebuilt the alternator at 235,000 and it wasn't even out yet--cost for that was about $60, driver side power window switch, 1 new belt, a few small items and about 60 oil changes all of which I did except one. This has been the best car I've ever owned. Knock on wood. Hope you have as good luck as I have.

Wow I only wish I had not got a lemon. From the very first I had it into the dealer more than I drove it. So this episode does not surprise me. Since my last tango with the dealer I have decided to put up with the problems while I try to research more since I was so kindly pointed in the right direction. I wish my car came off the same line as your!

[Furbert2]

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

It figures on the dealer. I've never known one that could troubleshoot or find a bad crank position sensor. Especially if the Tech II machine doesn't tell them anything.

Replace the crank position sensor and you'll be back in business.

Thank you again for your time I do appreciate the help!

[wlkjr]

For once I seem to be the lucky one. Mine seems to the exception rather than the rule.

[Blastorama]

Replace your Crankshaft Position Sensor.

[bcampbell]

i wish i also had gotten one of the better grand prix's. this is the biggest piece of junk i've ever owned. haven't been here since aug. of last year looking for help because, frankly, i gave up and i've been waiting to wreck. now i seem to have a slight idea what might be wrong but i don't know for sure. trac light went off and stayed off. the manual says if the brakes get too hot that will happen. that's one of 3 choices. feels like i always have a flat tire or brakes are sticking or something is hanging down in front of my tires making it drag.