Thread: Recently Entered the Grand Prix world...

Hey all

Nothing special, really. I recently became the owner of a fairly clean 2006 GP base. It's had a light tune-up (I'm told) and a new water pump, hoses, tensioner pulley,etc... Carfax records show that the car sat for almost 3 years in Iowa before it was eventually sold and ended up in the hands of a local dealership. The car has been significantly apart and repaired in it's life but there are no records of accidents on file, so I almost wonder if it was purchased running from an auction, fixed and resprayed the original color (Kind of a Champagne Pearl color). I've had to do a lot of things that the guy who reassembled the car never did...like correctly screwing in the dome light/glasses storage assembly, finding the short in the interior lights (pinched positive cable between the bracket and ground) and a few other small things. CD player doesn't work properly and one of the LED's is out. I'll get a newer head unit with bluetooth and all of that eventually. The car needs struts pretty badly - Rock Auto has Monroe strut assemblies with new coil springs for 82 bucks a piece and they look easy to replace so I'll probably do that myself.

Big thing right now is that damn P1811 code. Local trans shop said they could fix it for 1000 or rebuild it for 1800. I did a LOT of online research and before I spend big bucks I'm going to do the TransGo shift kit with a new quality filter, diff lube retainer and Amsoil synthetic. We shall see what happens. The PO told me they dropped the pan and did a filter but I think he's full of poop because the oil doesn't look that fresh to me. Smells okay but it's not "new red" color and they only owned the car for like...a month or two. His kid drove it over the summer, they realized the tranny was not right and decided to get rid of it rather than fix it since his kid was going off to college anyway and it was going to sit around. I traded them a vintage car for it. It was a good trade.

Anyway.. The car is solid and very clean inside so I'm going to dump some money into it and hopefully drive it for a long time. My wife had an 05 G6 that we loved until she wrecked it so I'm glad to be back in the Pontiac fam. Seem to have their own issues but I'm a mechanic anyway (not for a living, I like doing it as a hobby and not having to do it all day every day) so I'm not too worried about most of them.

Also - random but if anyone reads this maybe you can help - Earlier I floored it onto the highway and something was clicking fairly fast up front as I was accelerating...it didn't sound like any kind of detonation I've ever heard...sounded mechanical. Any ideas as to that was? First time I've ever heard it.

Sorry that was long and rambling and all that just for a base model. lol

Welcome to the site! The trans-go kit and fresh fluid (dexVI) and filter may help the Max adapt shift code for now. Might also throw in a quart of Lucas in place of a quart of trans fluid. I'd probably skip the Amsoil fluid if it costs more than regular Dex6 in case the trans is taking a dump. Why spend more just to replace it soon? If you plan on keeping the car for a while and need a trans I'd check out http://tripleedgeperformance.com/ Dave can set you up with a solid trans and has a great rep.

Not sure on the clicking noise?? Maybe an exhaust leak? Are there any other codes?

Also, as far as the tune up goes these cars stock need Iridium plugs, not Platinums as some auto parts stores list. The waste-spark ignition in these cars will eat plats pretty quick and causes misfires and whatnot. Might want to check what plugs are in it.

Originally Posted by FordMan77

Welcome to the site! The trans-go kit and fresh fluid (dexVI) and filter may help the Max adapt shift code for now. Might also throw in a quart of Lucas in place of a quart of trans fluid. I'd probably skip the Amsoil fluid if it costs more than regular Dex6 in case the trans is taking a dump. Why spend more just to replace it soon? If you plan on keeping the car for a while and need a trans I'd check out http://tripleedgeperformance.com/ Dave can set you up with a solid trans and has a great rep.

Not sure on the clicking noise?? Maybe an exhaust leak? Are there any other codes?

Also, as far as the tune up goes these cars stock need Iridium plugs, not Platinums as some auto parts stores list. The waste-spark ignition in these cars will eat plats pretty quick and causes misfires and whatnot. Might want to check what plugs are in it.

I've got a preferred membership so I get Amsoil wholesale. They've got an "OE" line now that's still syn but quite a bit less expensive so that's what I'm going to go with. I'm betting it's hydrocracked base but they won't divulge that info. Meh. lol

The local guy will rebuild my trans for 1800 out the door and warranty it for unlimited for 3 years. They're a VERY well known and respected shop. Been in biz for 44 years.

No other codes whatsoever and like I say that was the first time I'd heard it. I'll have to poke around in there.

Thanks for the info on the plugs. It runs smooth but I'll look at that sometime.

I'll get a pic at some point.. :-)

I'd still advise you to buy your rebuild parts from TEP. Bring those to your "local guy" or have him check out what they recommend to use.

Clicking on acceleration sounds like a cv shaft. Many suggest to pull OEM ones from the yard.

Originally Posted by SaukRapids

I'd still advise you to buy your rebuild parts from TEP. Bring those to your "local guy" or have him check out what they recommend to use.

Clicking on acceleration sounds like a cv shaft. Many suggest to pull OEM ones from the yard.

From a yard, eh? Turning sharp gets me a strange low grumble turning left as well. Maybe the drivers side CV is dying.

Apparently there are "updates" that are done to these transmissions when they rebuild them. These guys are well versed in that from what I've been told.

Sauk Rapids, eh? I'm from Grand Rapids originally.

This is the picture I was sent when I was first offered the car. It was a bit dirty here.. The front bumper is ugly. May or may not ever respray it. We'll see.