1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Logo
Vicki Denman Posted on Mar 19, 2015
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

1997 pontiac grand prix 3800, when i plug in the temp sensor the fuel and temp guage max's out? why

1 Answer

Jeff Armer

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

  • Pontiac Master 15,575 Answers
  • Posted on May 18, 2016
Jeff Armer
Pontiac Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Joined: Nov 22, 2012
Answers
15575
Questions
1
Helped
7111373
Points
73899

Could be a shorted sensor , have you replaced it ? Shorted wiring , A problem with in the instrument cluster . Would need to do some testing to find out what causes this . I would tell you to check power an ground of both circuits involved ,could you do that ? You would need pin out charts of the connectors that go to the instrument cluster . find the wire for coolant sensor , then find that same wire color at the coolant sensor an with ohm meter check to see if wires are shorted to ground etc...

The engine coolant temperature is operated by two coils. The battery voltage is applied to both of the coils. One of the coils is grounded directly and the other coil is grounded through the engine coolant temperature sender. The engine coolant temperature sender has a resistance of 44 ohms at 125?° C (260?° F). The resistance increases at lower temperatures. The resistance is approximately 1365 ohms at 37?° C (100?° F), causing the current through the engine coolant temperature sender at one of the coils to increase, as the coolant temperature decreases and moves the pointer.
Fuel Gauge
The magnetic fields of the two coils moves the fuel gauge pointer. The two coils are at right angles to each other. The battery voltage is applied to the E coil and the circuit divides at the opposite end of the E coil. One voltage path continues to ground through the F coil, as the other goes to ground through the variable resistor of the fuel level sender.
The resistance of the fuel level sender is low when the fuel tank is low. A large flow of current passes through the E coil and the fuel level sender resistor. The current pulls the pointer towards the E on the scale.
The fuel level resistance is high when the fuel tank is full. The increased current flowing though the F coil moves the pointer to the F on the scale. With the two coils operating the pointer, the fuel gauge is not affected by the any changes in the voltage of the system.
Without being able to test the electrical circuits , I would say there is a problem inside the instrument cluster. You could take it out an have it tested or you could get a used one from a auto salvage yard for $15.00 an see if the problem goes away .

With

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 6982 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 21, 2009

SOURCE: 1995 Pontiac grand prix's temp gauge goes hot

check to see if the electric fan is coming on when it should. Also check coolant level. Also, you may have the beginning of a plugged radiator If all else is OK flush radiator out.

Ad

Anonymous

  • 17 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 12, 2009

SOURCE: dash lights

You will have to replace the light bulbs. In order to do this, you'll have to take apart the cluster and radio to get to them. Visit www.oqcgp.net to search for fixes to common grand prix problems

ROB

  • 858 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 18, 2009

SOURCE: 1992 Pontiac Grand PrixPower loss,erratic idle

spark plug gaps are very critical on computerised cars!! [some wont even start!]
distributor module may be breeaking down as temp rises they fail!
otherwise do compression check as it may have valve problems
also check plug leads & injectors aswell as the fuel pump pressure [ could bestarving for fuel]

Anonymous

  • 521 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 22, 2009

SOURCE: I have a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix air temp sensor may be bad

the air sensor yur thinking of is usually found out front of the car on the post that supports the hood latch betwween the radiator assemblies and the oute decorative grill. go to your auto parts store like autozone and ask for the ambient air temp sensor. then if they can, ask for a diagram of its location. Its real easy to replace usually one bolt and one wire clip. Autozone has /offers these do it yourself repar guides that can help you .

alicantecoli

Colin Stickland

  • 22516 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 05, 2009

SOURCE: location of the radiator drain plug for 2001 Pontiac grand prix

doesnt have one ,remove the bottom hose

Testimonial: "Thanks I would have never assumed that!"

Ad

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer
1helpful
1answer

Wiring diagram for fuel guage on 97 grand prix

Did you check the fuel pump?
If you did, check for a grounded wire somewere by the pump.
1helpful
2answers

Grand prix gt 1997 3800,runs good getting 20 miles to the gallon not good ,my buddys have them same cars 27 miles to the gallon33 on high way ,runs real good like it should be getting that ,change air...

If the car has 100,000 miles on it ,the
front (2) O2 Sensors will be slow to respond,
change them. You can see them with an
oscilloscope ,red lead on black wire at sensor connector
(back probe with hat pin) Black lead from scope to chassis
or ground. You can use a VOM Meter but won't see the time
switching.

Clean MAF Sensor
Check Fuel Pressure at rail
New spark plugs
Check TPS Voltage KOEO
scope if you have one
1helpful
1answer

What kind of motor does a Pontiac Grand Prix have?

Depends on what sub-model you have. If you have an SE its a 3100 3.1L Engine. If its a GT its a 3800 3.8L Engine. If its a GTP its a 3800 3.8L but with a supercharger.
1helpful
4answers

The temperature gauge on my 2002 grand prix dose

the temperature sending unit on a 97 grand prix 3800 gt(which is also the coolant temperature sensor) is not accurate. the sending unit part of this sensor only sends info to the guage on the dash. the coolant sensor part sends info to the computer of the car. it is located under thermostat and somewhat difficult to get at. i had put a brand new one in and my temperature on my dash is all over the place---even with good thermostat and properly bled system. when i hook up a scanner to my computer, the coolant sensor is sending the computer(ecu??) what seems to be the right temp. anywhere from 194 degrees to 217 when hot. the guage however on dash go from 160 to 260 in less than 2 minutes.
0helpful
1answer

Fuel return line location on 1997 grand prix 3800 series motor and how much psi runs through it?

Hello! It runs up from the backside of the motor into the fuel rail. The PSI is 48-55.


Thanks for using FixYa!
Not finding what you are looking for?

97 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Pontiac Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

Brad Brown

Level 3 Expert

19187 Answers

Are you a Pontiac Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...