1997 Pontiac Grand Am: engine knocking or ticking

5 of the 383 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 1%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 12 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

2005
2
2004
5
2003
2
2002
5
2001
4
2000
7
1999
12
1998
2
1997
5
1996
3
1995
2
1994
1

What owners say

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · 85,000 miles · OH

When you run the air, the car stalls and won't start anywhere from one hour to three or four possibly the next day. The horn works sometimes, the raidio works sometimes as does the dispay, the volume goes up and down. The fuel systems shuts down along with the car when the air is running. The power window quit working in april, I replaced the one of the passenger side only to have the one on the driver side to stop working. The brakes went out with no warning. Anytime the car has any problems no lights come on to warn you it will just stop working. The shop that put the used engine in still can't tell me why it stared knocking. The ets system comes on and off all the time without pressing the button, I have had nothing but problems with the 1997 ponitac grand am gt.

Filed Jan 2, 2004 · Engine · 58,250 miles · IL

Engine failed.his car has 58250 miles. My daughter called me at work to inform me that something is making noise in the front of the car, but it goes away once you exceed 20mph. After dinner I pup the hood open and try to start the car. I discover that noise during startup was not normal, and car has great difficulties to start. When it finally stars, I hear knocking noise coming from the left side of the engine. The noise was concentrated on the cylinder next to timing chain. I stopped the engine and check the oil level, it was ok. I contacted local auto repair shop. He instructed me to bring the car to the shop, but to drive slowly and try not to accelerate rapidly. When I got there and parked the car I also noted that my check engine light and oil level light came on during idle. My mechanic determines immediately that my engine completely failed. He also make says that he is not surprised at all once he saw that this is 4 cylinder 2.4l engine. He estimated that the repair cost will be over $3000.00. This is only slightly less then the blue book value. Im driving my friends spare car 1988 mazda mx6 and my daughter drives my other pontiac 1996 bonneville sse, (which by the way just have water pump failure after 48000mi) I search many bulletin boards on the net and found out that this is not isolated incident. Many other people experienced exactly the some problem between 50000 and 80000 mi. Having engine failure @ less then 60000mi should be investigated further. Based on my research this particular engine should be investigated by cpa for recall. By the way I purchased my first car in 1974 it was the buick electra, since then my family owned 9 different cars (all gm) but Im 100% positive that this grand am was my last gm car. My next car will be japanese. My friend just clock 250000mi on his honda accord, the only major component that failed was the alternator @ 165000mi. Sorry gm, but there is no more gas in your thank for me.

Filed Sep 2, 2003 · Acceleration, Electrical · 113,000 miles · OH

When a turn was made, the steering wheel produced a loud rubbing noise. Dealer notified. *ak there were high idle problems. The interior lights and the power locks were replaced. The check engine light had come on and the vehicle had started to run rough, the alternator light had come on and the alternator was replaced. The drivers side seat belt did not retract and was replaced, the lower front control arm was replaced, the blower motor was replaced, the compressor was replaced, when starting the engine cold, there was a knocking sound on the right side until the vehicle was warm ,then the noise would go away, surging would also occur and would worsen when the engine was warmed, the volume on the radio was erratic(had gone up when trying to turn down), the sensor throttle position shorted and was intermittent, the valve air control was replaced, and the fuel filter was replaced. *scc

Filed Jun 13, 1998 · Fuel system · CD

Loud knocking noise comes from engine when starting possibly caused by the lifters.

Filed Jan 27, 1998 · Brakes, Engine · MN

Brakes: when driving and attempting to stop the car, has to push pedal completely to the floor before the car will stop. Beginning to make grinding noise when applying the brakes. In addition, headlights will not cpme on on certain times/seat belt twists all the time and ticking noise from engine area. *ak