Thread: 97 GP GT - Let's project a project car (from trailer to driving)

Using this article and the LED tool, I started troubleshooting the Ignition Module (IM) and Crank Position Sensor (CKP).
Part 1 -GM 3.8L Ignition Module Test and Crank Sensor Test (3X, 18X)
So first I tested the 12v to the IM, good. Then I must have grab the wrong wire because I thought I was missing the 12v for the CKP. I pulled the module off and took it to Autozone. The guy tested it 4 times all showed good. I went back, put it on, tested the 12v to the CKP and it was there. So I hooked up the LED to see if the CKP was working, and not only did the LED flash gut the it started. I tried starting it a couple of times, then I drove it around the block. Looks like the valve cover gasket has a bad leak, lots of exhaust and I did not want to drive it much from fear of the oil catching on fire. What little I drove the engine did pull good and the transmission worked at slow speeds. Park the car. About that time my wife got home from Fall's Creek and I go watch this. Cranked it and nothing. She commented something about now I know how women feel when they try and describe something and it does not behave as they expected. I thought maybe a loose wire, wiggled still not starting. My next step is to go back to the test and see what happens. The person who sold it to me said her dad thought it was a CKP, so maybe it is flaky.

The good news is it was running without any major noises. :-)

Finally spent some time on TPC. It has been so long, I had to re-read the posts to remember what I was doing. Back in march I started a punch list. I have finished the valve cover gaskets, flush and clean radiator, replace the sway bar link, and replaced shifter cable. I had pulled the interior to get at the headliner, carpet, shifter, and rear tint. As I said, I had one wheel bearing replaced and when I went to do the tie-rod the ones that shipped were the wrong ones. That was where I left off going back to school. After I finished, weather was too bad to work on it. After weather got better, seemed to have something that had to get done every Saturday. I did receive the correct tie-rods, finished off the passenger and started on driver side last night. I pulled the tie-rod off and then went to remove the sway bar link. The bolt was rusted all the way through.


Check this out:



Here is a close up of the crack:


This picture is more detailed:



So now I guess I need to add replace sway bar. I thought about pull-a-part, but as we all know GP are bad about this. Don’t really want to spend the money right now on a performance one. I might try and weld it, not like it going to turn on me if it breaks. I don’t know yet. Also started pulling the tint off the back glass. As you can imagine, it will be fun.


So here is my updated punch list.
1. replace both front wheel bearings
2. replace both outer tie rods
3. replace sway bar
4. replace both sides sway bar links
5. remove rear tint ( while all trim is out for carpet/headliner) Since everything is out of car, see if I can get a deal on re-tint.
Get car aligned and rear window tinted
6. finish headliner
7. replace carpet
8. install remote start
9. Add flasher to mirror upgrade.
10. Add Pontiac projectors to the doors.