I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am with 120k miles. Recently it started to take me multiple cranks to start my car. One day it failed to start after 10 cranks so I had it towed to a mechanic. He said that fuel pressure was 0 when he tried to cranked the car, so concluded the fuel pump was bad. Replaced fuel pump and fuel filter. $500 job. I drove my car away. Next day I was having exact same problem again and after another 10 failed cranks, I had the car towed to his shop the day after. Strangely, he was able to start the car with only one crank. He said he honestly didn't know what was wrong but he changed the crank sensor and fuel pump relay for me. Free. I drove home. Next day, I was still having the exact same problem. Multiple cranks to start the car. This time I drove the car to the shop and asked him to look at it again. After a while he told me that the ignition switch was bad, and that the voltage was low (should be 12v but only around 5v)? So he replaced the ignition switch. Asked for $300 but said that I can pay him after a couple of days when I determine that all problems were gone I have since tried to start my car 8 times and every time it started right away. My thought: I suspect that the fuel pump was not bad in the first place? Is it possible? Can the bad ignition switch alone cause the low fuel pressure? How can I verify that my old fuel pump was not bad? I kind of feel ripped off in this whole situation. Thank you for your input.
If you have 100,000 miles or close to it you needed or would need a fuel pump anyway.Your mechanic sounds like a knowledgeable skilled honest one, he didn't even charge you for some items.
Stick with him/her as you both will get all the problems solved.
The work he has done is smart logical work so far.
Next time it does not start right away,keep cranking the engine to get the oil pressure up.If it starts when the oil pressure builds it may be you are not getting a prime cycle when you first turn on the key some times.
SOURCE: was driving 2003 Pontiac gran am se1 started
Try checking the Ignition Control Module (ICM), there common to go bad and you may not be getting enough voltage to the spark plug wires to create a spark. Auto Zone should have that part and they can give you the step by step instructions to replacing the ICM with common tools. Good luck and hope this helps.
SOURCE: My 99 Grand Am GT will not crank. Was running
Lock cyl not the problem. The true switch is at the base if the steering column on its top side. A rod actuates it when you turn the key. Sometimes after being pushed on by the rod so many times, the switch moves out of the rods reach, travel. and ,well you know the rest. So, to correct, simply find the switch, loosen the screws, move the switch up the column as far as the screws permit, then tighten down the screws(bolts)_ and give it a whirl. Ned
SOURCE: 1986 pontiac grand am 3.0L, crank sensor failures
It sounds like the spinning part being sensed is not standing still (is wobbling or wandering) and making contact with the sensor.
If that is not the case, is there air that ought to flow over the sensor, which is blocked somehow, resulting in an overheated sensor? Is there some baffle designed to direct air to it that is missing?
Inspect the sensor for signs of contact with the spinning part.
There are two ways to build a sensor like this. One is to make it basically a coil that gets electricity generated in it by the part flying past it. The other is to put an electronic sensor there that is powered, and sends a signal to the ECM. If you have that kind, and it is supposed to be powered by a voltage regulator, and that regulator (in the ECM) has gone bad, it could be killing these sensors.
By using a voltage regulator, at, say, 5V, when the engine is cranking & there's only 9 or 10V available, the ECM can still fully supply the sensor with its required voltage, you see.
I would contact the dealer to see if there is a bulletin on this car/engine combination.
SOURCE: Just had plugs,wires and bottom gasket leak fixed.
That would make sense, because when he jumped your car if he left it hooked up for awhile. Then he charged your battery up, so it started the next day. Then you drove to his shop and back it ran the battery down. It's easy enough to test and change alternators you could take it to autozone or O'Reillys if there is one close they can test your alternator. If you have more questions about this or if you would like to try and change it yourself just reply to this post and I will walk you through it.
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