Thread: 02 Pontiac Grand Prix GT multiple issues.

The other day i turned my car on after not running it all day i was just sitting there messing with my stereo when my car started to kick keep in mind i was in park and my lights flicked off then back on, as my idle fluctuated from about 1200 rpms all the way down to 100rpms where i thought my car was about to shut off i didnt think much of it at the time as i started driving and got to where i was going my car stalled out i am driving an automatic not manual tranny btw, ive gone to the shop a couple of times to get my tranny fluid changed, tranny seals done and new plugs and wires, my car currently has 106k miles on it. i had a tune-up done about 2 weeks ago and a guy told me at another shop when i got that done they said 8 codes popped up not certain which ones they were but i just had my mass air flow sensor replaced twice, because they thought it might hav been faulty thats why my check engine light keep going on even when they reset the computer. a guy also said a pink wire along with other wires arent getting any power from my fuse box. do you think that this could be the reason my car has been kicking and why it shifts heavily, i have the 3800 series non supercharged engine in mine

These are the codes that popped up
PO135
PO141
PO412
PO418
PO443
PO102
PO300
PO301

I'm on my phone so I'm not gonna look up those codes right now.

As far as the pink wire thing idk about that. Its very rare that u have an electrical problem let alone one so bad. So I'm not sure about that

But it sounds like u need to go to a shop that has a real technician. Also just to give u a little info about our cars
. They don't come with manual transmissions. You have to pay 3 grand and a lot of custom work to get one.

To start off, when you replaced the plugs did you install platinum ones? If so, get them out of there and get some Autolite or NGK copper ones. The ignition system on these cars does not work with platinum plugs.

Clean your MAF with the correct cleaner (avail. at auto parts store- about $7 a can).

Check for vac leaks. Also, check the battery cable connections and make sure they are clean and tight. Don't just look and wiggle them, actually remove them both, clean the battery terminals and cable ends then reattach. Take it for a drive to let it relearn and see what you get. I'll see what I can find on the codes you listed and post back.

Ok, here we go.

PO135- upstream O2 sensor- Check that the wire to the 02 sensor is not leaning on the plug wire or exhaust back there. If its good then replace the sensor. This is located in the rear exhaust manifold between cylinders 4 and 6. The wire likes to lean on #6 and cause issues.
PO141- downstream O2 sensor- Could be a bad O2 or possibly a clogged cat issue.
PO412- Secondary Air Injection (AIR) Solenoid Relay Control Circuit Bank 1
PO418-Secondary Air Injection (AIR) Pump Relay Control Circuit Bank 1
PO443- EVAP Purge Solenoid Valve 1 Control CKT- Probably need to replace the EGR purge solenoid. It's common.
PO102- Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Circuit Low Frequency- Could be a dirty MAF, or a bad one. Try cleaning like I said. If not, then replace.
PO300- Misfire code
PO301-Cylinder 1 misfire

It sounds like you could have a bad plug, plug wire (even though they are both new), bad coil, or bad ICM. Did it run bad after this "shop" did the tune up, or did this just start?

You need to verify the plug type. That just bugs me.

The pink wire thing, not sure. What I do know is that you should check the underhood fuse box and be sure ALL fuses are good. I've seen where the 15A fuse for the MAF gets popped and people replace the MAF just to find out it was a 10cent fuse and not their new $150 MAF.

Once you verify these few things we can go further. Once you check these things have the codes deleted and see what new ones come up, as these may just be in the memory of the ECU and not really relavent.

BTW, where in Conneticut are you? I know Bill is in Enfield somewhere and he is the guru of the Bonne, wait.. Rega... wait, Grand Prix

Alright thanks dude I'm gonna bring it back Thursday to where i got the wires and plugs done. i just havnt had time recently to do it and i think i might need a new cat because right under my driver side door if i rev it, you can hear like a popping noise doesn't sound normal at all. I live in Middletown/Cromwell line btw

I wouldnt know where to start, id rather have someone that knows what they are doing then have myself do it lol

Originally Posted by roush

I wouldnt know where to start, id rather have someone that knows what they are doing then have myself do it lol

If you can post on a forum, you can change spark plugs. They are one of the easier things to do on any engine. Only difficulty is the tight work space in the back.

If you have the shop deal with it insist that they do not put platinum plugs in it then. If they argue with you then take it somewhere else.

You can slide under the car and smack the cat with your hand and see if it rattles. If it does then it's bad. Another way to tell is if you take it for a drive and look at the cat right after. If it's glowing red then it's clogged.