2000 Pontiac Grand Am: fuel pump failure

Filed Sep 15, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 108,000 miles · CO

To: general motors I just signed the following petition addressed to: general motors. ---------------- recall faulty passlock systems thousands of people are being LED in circles by any vehicle with a passlock ii system and it is an unsafe problem with these cars that needs to be fixed. It prevents vehicles from restarting in potentially dangerous areas while the vehicle resets and can permanently disable the car if not addressed. The problem lies in a design oversight and cutting a material cost by putting in a cheap component that any basic chemist could tell you would go bad within a year or two. Change your ignition switch contact from nickel to gold plated connectors and oxidation will not cause faulty readings to trick your vehicles into thinking that they are being stolen and shutting off the fuel pumps. Remuneration for individuals impacted by this financial burden for the purchase of your vehicles is also a request as this problem is a gold mine for car mechanics, both gm certified and freelance, to troubleshoot numerous systems before identifying the problem proper. ---------------- [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 16, 2011 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that the anti-theft system would cause the vehicle to stall. The failure was experienced numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who replaced the fuel pump. The failure was not corrected and the vehicle continued to stall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 128,000.

Filed May 27, 2011 · 120,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 pontiac grand am. The contact entered and started the vehicle when the anti-theft system activated. The warning lights began to flash on the instrument panel. The contact stated he had to wait approximately ten to fifteen minutes with the key in the ignition before being able to start the vehicle. Also, when driving at various speeds, the anti theft warning lights would illuminate on the instrument panel causing the vehicle to stall. The failure recurred intermittently and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the fuel pump would need to be replaced. The fuel pump was replaced but the failure continued after the repairs. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 07/08/11*lj the consumer stated when the anti-theft activated, it prevents him from starting the vehicle about four out of ten starts and once or twice a month the vehicle will stall while driving. Updated 07/18/11

Filed Aug 14, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · 15,000 miles · NY

I purchased this car new (my first new car) in august 2000. After the first 15,000 miles and the next 15.000 miles the brakes were replaced under warranty. After each additional 15,000 +/- miles I paid for this service out of pocket. In addition, I started paying for wheel bearings and replaced them too many times to count. Next the electrical system with the fan only working on speed 1 and 5. Many dealer trips to have attempts to be fixed. Problems grew to add issues with fuel pump. New fuel pump added after being stranded for a few hours on a busy highway. Newest problem which we became aware of real early on was low coolant or a system which can not keep coolant in the car. The problem revisited us on xmas day as we were traveling to relatives and were stranded in upstate ny in typical climatic temperatures of less than 30 degrees f. Have taken the car many times to dealers and local mechanics. Problems are still adding up. Included exhaust issues. Carbon monoxide. What a disappointment for a first time car owner. But I have learned one lesson...will never buy gm again. Never satisfied with dealer costs and fixes. After learning about all the other problems on this site that others have had very similar. I am glad that my newest car a honda sits next to the grand am. I see that gm is hurting financially and I think this speaks loudly for what consumers are feeling. I have taken care of my car and selected gm for my first car purchase, unfortunately gm has not taken care of me. I hope gm sees responses like this to help the american car companies understand that americans are not going to put up with the idea that cheap cars are made and sold to americans so that the company can sell cars cheaply and that the car's life will end the day after the last car payment thus leading the buyer to a new loan for a new car. This is a waste!

Filed Dec 3, 2006 · Fuel system · 30,000 miles · GA

While driving down the interstate at 65 miles per hour my car shut completely off on me. Only by the grace of god was I able to coast over 2 lanes to the side of the road, avoiding having another car run straight into the back of my car. After taking the car to the dealership I was told that I needed to replace my fuel pump module. They stated that this has been happening quite a bit but that a recall has not been done on this part yet. Now, 2 years later I am still having issues with my car now having a gasoline smell every winter because gas is leaking from somewhere and they cannot determine where.

Filed Nov 28, 2006 · Electrical · CA

Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft controller about 6 mos. Ago I got into my car and it would not start. I was in the parking lot at work, and luckily a man stopped to ask if my security light was lit on the dashboard. (I thought it may be ignition/fuel pump/etc.) sure enough, the security light was flashing. He explained to me that he also drives a gm, and this had been occurring with his car. He said that after researching with the gm dealer, he learned that if a person waited 10 minutes the car would most likely start, which it did. (the anti-theft device actually cuts off the fuel pump, and due to lack of gasoline, the engine won't start.) the next day, I called the pontiac dealer myself, and was told that the problem was most likely the anti-theft controller, and was quoted approx. $500-600 to repair. I have been reading more and more incidents like mine, and frankly don't have the $600 to spend to repair, however, I am very concerned that this defect may leave me stranded somewhere in an unfavorable situation. Is there anything you can do to help have this issue looked at as a possible recall, and have the manufacturer fix? Thank you for your help.

Filed Oct 30, 2006 · Electrical, Fuel system · 20,000 miles · OR

Passlock failure. Passlock shuts down fuel supply. It is suppose to if the passlock/ignition reports to the computer that the ignition has been tampered with. Hundreds of times passlock comes on and I cannot start my car without waiting and doing the 10 minute procedure. Happened while I was at a 7-11 one time, some unsavory looking characters same over to me, I flashed my pepper spray and cell phone and said I am calling the police. Luckily they ran off. Also comes on while I am driving which is extremely dangerous. Car would die completely or run ok if not on a hill or incline. Happened so many times that the fuel pump needed to be replaced at 50,000 miles. Two pontiac dealers suggested new ignition to be installed to "see" if that will fix it. I will not pay to "see" if that will fix it. As I research the internet over 17,000 people have had the same problem and reported it to various sites. Those are only the people who think of looking on the internet to see if it is a common problem. I did write gm recently to see if they could do something. Have not heard back yet. Can you help? As I research I have found cars and SUV's that have had the same problems since 1999. Why hasn't gm discontinued or fixed that passlock issues in all those years? Must cost to much have a recall. Does someone have to die? Hope not. Thanks so much for you time and work that goes to helping keep people safe.

Filed Sep 23, 2006 · Electrical · 64,000 miles · NY

In the end of august 2006 I started having trouble with starting my 2000 grand am gt. It would not turn over as normal. After a couple of tries, it would work normally except the "trac off" light would stay lit. Then it started to stall while I was driving it. I thought perhaps something was wrong with my alternator. I took it to a repair shop to have the diagnostics ran on it. They could find no reason and advised me that it could be a computer problem. They said it seemed that the computers were not communicating and the accessory computer would probably have to be reprogrammed. On september 22, 2006, the car would not start at all. I had the car towed to the dealer for repair. After they ran their own diagnostics, they advised me that the "fuse block in the engine compartment was corroded and had to be replaced". Is this a normal thing for a six year old car? I had stalled out while on an expressway traveling at 50 MPH. Fortunately, I was able to pull to the side and restart the car. Looking at the recall investigations, I noticed several that referred to stalling and fuel pump problems. The dealer told me that the wiring inside the "corroded fuse block contained the wiring to the fuel pump and was not allowing the computer to send the fuel pump the correct messages". Perhaps my problem is not unique. I am currently waiting for the new part to come in and will request the old part. Thank you.

Filed Jul 23, 2006 · Fuel system · AZ

Had the car for about one year. Bought used, no history of the car. Had to replace the fuel pump, fuel filter less then a year of purchase. Having this gas smell when the AC is on. With the phoenix weather there is not one day you can't live without an AC. The smell gets so bad that your clothes and hair smell when you get out of the car. I have three kids one toddler that I hate to have them get sick from it. I believe it is harmful to them.

Filed Jan 30, 2006 · Fuel system · NC

The fuel gauge was misreading fuel level. Gauge was showing gas in vehicle when there was none. I ran out of gas 3 or 4 times. I ended up replacing the fuel tank. The dealer explained the cause to me as the direct or indirect result of the ultimate failure of the fuel pump and system. I am disappointed with this and all the other problems I had with this vehicle. Because of my experience with gm I probably would not purchase or recommend to anyone else to purchase a gm product. No one wanted to stand behind his product. Maybe it doesn't matter, but there are a lot of people who ask and follow my advice. I gathered information that a lot of people will follow. It will make a difference as it is remembered and repeated.

Filed Dec 5, 2005 · Fuel system · TN

Dt: the contact states intermittently vehicle will not start. This has been happening for two years. He can jump start the vehicle and it will start for approximately one month. The contact replaced the fuse and relay for the fuel pump. The dealership replaced the battery, but this did not correct the problem. The vehicle is at the dealership and they are unable to diagnose the problem. They state the fuel pump may not be getting enough power. There have been no further repairs made at this time.

Filed Oct 5, 2004 · Fuel system, Locks · 75,000 miles · MN

Had to have fuel pump replaced, now gas gauge is faulty. (the dealer asked me if I had had problems with it I said no because I hadn't they were suprised they said they have changed alot because they were faulty. A month later mine acted up.)