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1994 Pontiac Grand Am: won't start

13 of the 377 complaints about the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am describe won't start.

owner complaints
13
of this car's complaints
3%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 9 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 6, 2001 · Electrical · CO

Since vehicle was repaired under recall 00v287000 for ignition switch failure, intermittently vehicle will not start up until it is put into neutral. Dealer, johnson auto place, brighton, co 303‑654‑1940, wants to charge consumer to inspect vehicle.*ak dealer stated there is nothing else they can do without charging him.

Filed Aug 24, 2001 · Electrical · MA · fire

Vehicle would not start after several attempts, shortly thereafter a alrge ampount of black smoke apeared from th edrivers side followed by flames which engulfed the whole dash area.

Filed Aug 16, 2001 · Electrical · MD

I had the ignition switch replaced (due to recall) and am told the car is fine. The third time I tried to start the car, it doesn't start. Towing it back to dealer, I'm told the battery and alternator need to be replaced. I believe this problem is due to the ignition switch recall, but am told that it's just a coincedence and I will have to pay for the additional repairs. Either the dealership isn't aware of how to fix the problem, or the recall is masking a larger electrical problem.

Filed Mar 16, 2001 · Electrical · TX

Vehicle would not start, hooked up charger to battery, surge went through and melted charger. Since then battery light goes on and off.

Filed Feb 12, 2001 · Electrical · MI

Sometimes when turning key on vehicle will not start, consumer was concerned that this problem could be related to a letter that was received from dealer, stating a fire could start when this condition was present.

Filed Jan 30, 2001 · Electrical · VA · fire

On different occasions vehicle would not start, sometimes it would act strange, while driving the vehicle caught on fire near the firewall and burned, the vehicle was totalled, fire may have been related to recall (00v‑287). Cj

Filed Jan 20, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · NY · fire

I started my car and it didn't start. It then smelled like it was on fire. It then started after that, but ever since it did not work well. A few days later I received the recall notice about fires in the steering column. About 3 weeks after the fire, my car would start then die a few minutes later. I had to keep jumping it to get it to the dealer to be fixed. They replaced the alternator and serpentine belt. I had the alternator replaced just a year ago because of a similar problem but was unaware of the recall then. I called gm and they told me "tough luck" it was my responsibility to pay. I don't think it is a coincidence that after the fire everything went wrong. I don't think I should be responsible to pay, and I feel gm should reimburse me. Also, since we can't get this recall fixed until march, I am worried this may happen again. Someone told me that the fire could have affected these other areas, and since it is a manufacturer's defect, I don't think I or other people should be responsible to pay.

Filed Jan 13, 2001 · Electrical · UT

Went to turn the car on and it didn't start, sat for 20 minutes giggled the ignition switch to get it to start, nothing happened, kept trying for 20 minutes then it just started.

Filed Sep 20, 2000 · Electrical · CO · fire

Pe99063, vehicle was parked in a mall area ,it had been sitting for about 45 minutes. , consumer noticed vehicle would not start, and then smelled electrical burning. Consumer opened the hood, heard cracklin gnoise coming from a small box between the engine block and radiator , at the same time consumer noticed that there was smoke coming from left side of steering column ,right next to turn signals. Vehicle was totaled. Insurance company did inspect vehicle, and it was listed as undetermined cause. But, suggested electrical system.

Filed Jul 27, 2000 · Electrical · MN · fire

Vehicle wouldn't start. 30-45 minutes later, thick black smoke followed by flames burst from steering column. Fire destroyed dasboard, windshield and ceiling before being extingushed.

Filed Feb 2, 2000 · Engine · ME

Vehicle would not start, owner left vehicle to call for assistance and when returned to vehicle found it on fire, due to possible engine failure.

Filed Nov 18, 1999 · Electrical · NY · fire

Consumer experienced a no start condition. Noticed smoke coming from steering column,and within minutes, vehicle was engulfed with flames from steering column to the rear of vehicle, causing total loss of vehicle.

Questions about the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am won't start

Is won't start a common problem on the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am?

13 of 377 owner complaints about the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am (3%) mention won't start. The model year with the most reports is 2001.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am?

There are 0 recalls and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am

Fire or smoke 24No deployment 21Headlights 18ABS 17Brake failure 15Stalling 15Door locks 6Overheating 6Ball joint 5Engine failure 5Wipers 5

All model years of the Pontiac Grand Am

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