[katie321]

I Have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am. I have changed the fuel pump, starter, battery, spark plugs and the car will start randomly. It seems the longer I wait in between starts,the less likely it is to start. Sometimes it just fires up, other times it starts randomly and other times it just won't start at all. I am ready to give up on the POS because it is costing me more to "fix" it, meanwhile it stll doesn't work. Please HELP!

[TxGreaseMonkey]

This link may help:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...ml#post2123675

Be sure to check for codes, if the Check Engine Light has gone on. After that, I would focus on the Ignition Control Module (ICM) and coil packs. ICMs are notorious for causing starting and running problems. We have these go bad on many cars, almost every day. ICM replacement is easy--AutoZone Part No. DR105, $79.99, if you have the 4-cylinder engine. I would replace the coil at the same time, if your budget allows. At AutoZone, the coil is C1492, $93.99, if you have the 4-cylinder engine.

When you replaced the spark plugs, did you use the same ACDelco plugs that came in the engine?

Do you have the 4-cylinder engine?

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Do you have the 4-cylinder engine?

[katie321]

Yes, it is a 4 cyliner. And I honestly couldn't tell you if the spark plugs were the same. I just went into canadian tire and asked for ones that would fit in my car.

[katie321]

The check engine light does not go on. The car simply just doesn't work :(
It works great for about 2 weeks then something else will die. I am contemplating buying a new vehicle because this one just won't seem to work. Extremely frustrated with it. I would rather not have to buy a new one but nothing seems to work on this one. I have been doing some research about these cars and a lot of people with the same problem say that it is their security system... What do you think?
P.S great advice, my dad used to be a mechanic and the censor was the first thing he said!

[TxGreaseMonkey]

That's a whole new story, if you suspect the security system. We have had another Grand Am, which might have been a 1993, which had a security system problem. It wouldn't start, until she took it to the dealer and got the security system fixed.

I can't help with those sort of problems. I wouldn't replace the ICM and coil, if you suspect that is what is wrong with your car.

[katie321]

Hmmm would you happen to know how much that would cost? I have spent almost $2000 "fixing" it, I don't know how much more I would be willing to spend.
Are you a mechanic?

[TxGreaseMonkey]

No. I have an engineering background, but I'm not a mechanic. However, I have tons of hands-on experience over many years. You can View My Public Profile.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

If you really think you have a security system problem, I doubt that you will get it fixed without dealer assistance. Some of these problems are relatively minor, some are not. I don't know what they would charge.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

If it's not a security system problem, I think replacing the ICM/coil would be the likely solution. ICMs, particularly, are very problematic. In the 50 months I have been doing this at AMHD, I've solved hundreds of crank but won't start situations by getting members to replace control modules.

ICMs are "electronic points," with small microprocessors inside. Over time, they get damaged by the heat. Before they die, they start causing all sorts of intermittent starting and performance problems.

[katie321]

Thank you very much for you advice, my brother is going to test the coils for me on Tuesday. He thinks it is the coils because when he changed the spark plugs 2 out of 4 were completely F%^*ed. Hopefully that's all that's wrong... Its not even worth $5000 so I am almost done putting money into it.
Thank you very much for your help.
I was looking online with people with the same security problem and I tried the things they said to do and none of them worked, so that gives me hope that its not the security.
Cross your fingers for me :)
Thanks again