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Oldsmobile Intrigue: Problems & Solutions

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Comments

  • larry51larry51 Member Posts: 3
    Not sure about the hesitation, my 1998 (3.8) gets GREAT mileage. Our last trip to LA we drove from 60mph to 85 mph and averaged just over 30mpg !! That's with
    112,000 miles on it. Love this car. Don't care for the 3.5 engine that my son has.
  • larry51larry51 Member Posts: 3
    We also have a "green" '98 Intrigue with 112k miles. Love that car!! No problems
    other than with the window motor regulators. Great gas mileage (30mpg) on hwy.
    It's a keeper, so I'm getting it repainted next month......just because. The interior is still in showroom condition (my kids are mid 20s). Got to watch your speed on the hwy. Drive it 60........or 90.......can't tell the difference.

    Now....if I can just get it away from my wife to drive !!
  • blue_2000blue_2000 Member Posts: 14
    Has anyone had a problem with the wipers sticking in the "up" position while in use? I have seen this a couple times on my 2000 Intrigue. It happens in the low speed position, and if I switch to the High speed, the wipers work normally.
  • tmoebigshop3tmoebigshop3 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks a bunch Alcan! I'll get to negotiating and mainly DIM.
  • thatisitthatisit Member Posts: 2
    I am assuming that you own a GLS model get your car in asap! My Intirique has a major engine problem and needs to be replaced do this before your warranty is up so you do not have to deal with what I am going through at the moment. There is a manufacturing problem with this engine therefore get it in asap.
  • thatisitthatisit Member Posts: 2
    My Olds Intique GLS last model made never had any problems until last weekend when my engine developed a clacking/clicking sound that at idle sounded like a mouse on a traid mill and upon pushing on the gas got extremely loud. My mechanic an olds specialist told me that the engine is defective and will have to be replaced for it can not be rebuilt. This particular engine upon research has manufacturing issues with the bearings and the block. I am now sitting with a car that needs a new engine and I am not willing to give it up because it has been extremely reliable for the 62000 miles that I have driven in the past 3 years.
  • vealboyvealboy Member Posts: 10
    OK to start, my 2000 Intrigue has 46k miles on it and I have owned it three years.

    Recently my "Service Engine Soon" light came on, since then I have experienced some hesitation in acceleration, and difficulty in starting the car, and then this morning as I was on my way to work, I was idling at a stop light and the engine just shut down.

    Any ideas what the problem might be??? :confuse:
  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    What year Intrigue do you have? What engine do have? How many miles are currently on your vehicle?

    Please be more specific about your problem. What did he exactly say was the problem? What research have you found that shows this defect that has not been reported by anyone else on the board? I find it hard to believe that it can't be re-built.
  • bennycheckbennycheck Member Posts: 43
    It could be a few things and the 1st thing to do is narrow it down. Go to Auto zone and find out why your SES light is on and get any codes that are stored. It could be a crankshaft sensor, cloged fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump, or something as simple a a bad tank of gas. Have you run any injector cleaner through your fuel system? Does it run ok sometimes and bad other times? If you can narrow it down it will be easier to find and fix (and cheaper too).
  • vealboyvealboy Member Posts: 10
    Thanks for the quick response :)

    I have done the injector cleaner thing. Sometimes it does idle rough upon starting. The scary thing is when it shuts down while I am driving, like it did today. Funny thing that the engine only shuts down in the morning on my way to work, but it will not replicate when I am driving home.

    I will go by AutoZone and see if they can help me narrow it down, thanks!
  • bayview6bayview6 Member Posts: 141
    Sounds like the crankshaft sensor.
  • bayview6bayview6 Member Posts: 141
    What did your mechanic say the problem was?
  • jjpowell2jjpowell2 Member Posts: 91
    We have a 2001 GL and also been told our engine is bad. We still have 1500 miles to go under the original warranty. Oil was getting sucked into the block and they replaced the head gasket. The rough start & loud clatter continued so they replaced all the lifters in one bank. The noise is still there and there is a loud noise like shuffling a deck of cards on acceleration that was never there before. Luckily all this work was done under warranty this spring & summer. They extended our warranty & we were told nothing else could be done and to drive the car until the engine blows. We only hope it happens close to home & no one gets injured!!
  • mick1mick1 Member Posts: 84
    "Service Engine Soon" means Service Engine SOON! Bite the bullet and bring the car into a mechanic. Your only 100,000 miles behind me. Good luck.
  • vealboyvealboy Member Posts: 10
    Crankshaft Sensor? OMG, sounds pricey! :sick:
    I am taking it in on Friday 11/11. Will know for sure then.
  • jan12jan12 Member Posts: 1
    How do I remove rear combination lamp assembly on a 95 Geo Prizm? I'm looking at the manual and did everything it has said, but I'm unable to remove the assembly. Please advise?
    Thanks.
  • buntybunty Member Posts: 2
    Hi everybody!
    Found this forum to be quite interesting. I have an Oldsmobile Intrigue 2000 GX with just over 100K miles on it. I am very happy with the way the car runs.

    I have a question though...A few weeks ago the brake light, the seatbelt light, the battery light and a few others would come on automatically every once in a while. I got an oil change recently and had the mechanic take a look at it...and he said it could be a fault with the wiring or something. Overall I did not find his answer very convincing. Strangely though ....I dont see that problem now. Anybody had any similar experiences???

    Bunty
  • bayview6bayview6 Member Posts: 141
    Should be about 300 clams.
  • denveroldsdenverolds Member Posts: 2
    I have a '99 Intrigue GLS with the 3.5 and the PASS Key won't let me start the car. This is an intermittent problem. The system seems to need to reset itself after about 10 minutes with the key in the ignition. Any clues as to the problem? Dealer can’t find anything as it is intermittent and it does not happen when the car is there.
  • dekesterdekester Member Posts: 322
    Just noticed the light in the gas door open button is out. Is there any (easy) way to replace it? Is it worth it?

    Deke
  • evandroevandro Member Posts: 1,108
    The light in my Intrigue is out too, but it's not easy. The panels under the dashboard need to be removed and they are interlocked, so it can be a major tear down to get to that small panel to replace the bulb. I called it quits after reading the instructions... :blush:
  • mukherjimukherji Member Posts: 3
    My 2002 Olds Intrigue GL came out of Manufacturer's compresensive warranty in July, and recently while driving, all on a sudden I could not turn the steering to the right. It was a close call at an intersection. I had to get the whole power steering rack replaced at a cost of approx $1200. I was told that the magnets inside the Magnasteer Power assist were binding on the casing.Does anyone know if this is a common problem? I understand that NHSTA in U.S. is investigating Power Steering problems in Pontiac and Oldsmobile due to a large number of complaints, and also a few crashes. I would like to take the matter up with GM, can anyone give me any data which I can use in this matter.

    Archi Mukherji
  • gordonwdgordonwd Member Posts: 337
    Took our '00 Intrigue to the dealer today to see what the "Service Engine" light was all about. He said it was the "mass air sensor" faulting and it would cost $420 to replace it. Since it does not really affect driveability for the way that we use the car these days, I declined the repair at this time.

    Anyone know offhand what the actual cost of this part alone would be? Is this something that an average mechanic (me, that is) could replace on his own? That is, you don't have to disassemble half of the engine bay to get to it ;) .

    (Oops. After posting this I noticed that the three or four previous posts seem to be about this exact problem. So is it that easy to do?)
  • coltswincoltswin Member Posts: 17
    Found the posts.
  • andrew99andrew99 Member Posts: 2
    i have a 98 olds that won't start put new starter and all it does is click
  • intriguer1intriguer1 Member Posts: 1
    my 2002 olds intrigue is hard starting. I have been told that maybe it is the fuel pump or pressure regulator valve.

    It is not electrical. Can anybody tell me which I should replace first? Where is the valve?

    Any idea on costs?

    Thanks
  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    Are you sure it is not elctircal? My first guess is to check the ignition module or the crankshaft sensor. Two very common problems with this and other midsize GM vehicles.
  • pz4wfqpz4wfq Member Posts: 3
    Hello,
    I been driving 2000 Intrigue since new and there have been few quirks that never been resolved (like Cruise Control indicator flashing and you can not use cruise control) and I've learned to live with them.
    But newest and more serious issue has been happening for last few weeks. Engine idles high, can range from 1500rpm to last night 3500-4000rpm. Stopping and keeping the car stopped at signals is very difficult. If I put the car in neutral it seem the engine is going to explode.
    Help !!!! Anyone with idea of what it could be or if other owners have experienced this, please let me know if there is remedy to this.
    Thanks for you assistance in advance.
    Sukhi
  • longchild990longchild990 Member Posts: 1
    Been in Germany 2 months, car driven good in States, once I get here, Speed drop, jerking started, and then it will pick up speed, and jerking began again, let car cruise on 60 km, or 100 km in Germany, sometime I have to release feet of gas pedle and put it back on th pedel as if its breathing, will run o.k if I do not drive it in a day or so. New o2 Senors replaced. Sparkpluge offset by 3. should be set at 0.50 instead it is at .053. check engine light still reading as bad 02 sensors, sparkpluge and grear shift. need an answer has spent too much money, there is no osmobile dealership over here, help, help"
  • alcanalcan Member Posts: 2,550
    Sparkpluge offset by 3. should be set at 0.50 instead it is at .053

    Insignificant. Won't cause a problem.

    "check engine light still reading as bad 02 sensors"

    No it isn't. It's flagging codes related to O2 sensor circuits. Which trouble code numbers were retrieved?
  • gilligan70gilligan70 Member Posts: 1
    I was gassing up yesterday morning and it died during fill up and would not restart afterwards. 2 big points to make: 1. I let the vehicle go much farther with the "empty light" on than I ever have before.
    2. The fuel pump fuse under the hood (15A position 35 I think) continually blows when attempting to restart.
    My big questions is this: Does this automatically mean I need to replace my fuel pump, or could it possibly be the inline filter mounting outside the tank (looks like a tin can)? Thanks- "Stranded in KC"
  • pz4wfqpz4wfq Member Posts: 3
    Hi my99gl,

    I'm assuming that the problem has been fixed. Can I ask what was the solution? If parts were replaced what parts? and approximate $$.

    I have same problem with 2000 Inrigure. Engine has been rpming at 3000 rpm without me touching the pedal. On teh highway it travel at 90km/h without you having to press gas pedal. Then all of sudden it comes back to normal.
    Thanks
    pz4wfq
  • gdawegdawe Member Posts: 1
    Was there any particular reason the dealer went out of his way on the wheel sensor replacement? It sounds like mine is having the same problem with the ABS, Trac Off and Check Engine lights coming on periodically. Now 5 yrs old, about 50,000 mi (85,000 km). My dealer usually treats me pretty good so any suggestions may help convince him to be nice.
  • kebtuckebtuc Member Posts: 1
    I'm seeing a bunch of posts with people getting great gas mileage. I'm getting about 19.5 mpg highway with my 99 Intrigue with the 3.8 engine. Any ideas what could be causing such bad gas mileage? It has about 70,000 miles on it.
  • jay74jay74 Member Posts: 1
    Hello,

    I own a 99 Olds Intrigue 3.8L V6 with 103,000 miles (bought 6 months ago; the first car I have ever owned). I have a concern about the way the transmission shifts.

    When I'm cruising between 50 and 60 mph, with the transmission in overdrive, I sometimes have to press the gas pedal between 1/2 and 3/4 of the way down in order to get the car to downshift. And the rpms will momentarily dip about 300 rpm before the transmission responds. The thing is, the transmission DOESN'T act like this for about 10-15 minutes after I start the car in the morning (tranny response is almost immediate). Only once the car warms up does the tranny seem to hesitate like this. It can make merging on the highway a tense experience sometimes, as I have to be sure to stamp on the pedal to make sure the trans will downshift.

    I have had the PCS replaced (which cured a 'bucking' problem the tranny was having when shifting), the transmission fluid and filter changed, the throttle position sensor replaced, and a new throttle cable installed.

    My independent mechanic said the transmission is fine and there is nothing more he can do. And a GM mechanic said Intrigues sometimes just shift funny (his wife owns one).

    So, because I have owned the car for only a few months, can anyone tell me if this hesitation is 'normal'? When cruising at 50-60 mph, is it normal to have to press the pedal down so far in order to get the trans to downshift?

    Thanks
  • evandroevandro Member Posts: 1,108
    Mine, with the 3.5, got 33MPG on a recent 100ml trip...
  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    I'm averaging 26-27 highway. I have 3.5 2000 Intrigue GL with 107,000 miles.

    Teh easiest thing ot do is change the air filter. Thst can cost you a couple of mpg.
  • racer__x_9racer__x_9 Member Posts: 18
    Read this interesting article about gas mileage
    http://www.artsautomotive.com/Mileage.htm
  • bassartscombassartscom Member Posts: 1
    :shades: 2000 oldsmobile intregue, sterling addition almost 100,000miles

    My car usualy starts fine every time but if it has rained in the last 5 days it will start about %75 of the time. All the lights go on but the engine will not turn over at all, I can keep turning it and eventualy it will start with 10 to 50 turns or if it won't start with so many turns I can go for a 15 min walk and it usualy wil start then and then sometimes it will start rite up within this 5 day span and when I go to leave where I have gone then te car won't start and the same key turning and waiting. I had it diegnostic tested with no show of the problem, and I reset my computer that had no effect. If you have ever heard of anything like this a reply would be greatly apretiated.
  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    TAke it to an auto parts store. many will read your code for free then post the trouble code. There are a few on the board that very knowledgable on how to diagnose Trouble codes.
  • furball17furball17 Member Posts: 1
    I've had a similar issue... My temperature gauge was going up to and even a bit past the 3/4 mark and I would hear a knocking or thumping in the engine compartment. Had the thermostat changed and the problem went away for a few months, then came back. The temperature did not get anywhere near as hot as before, just a tick over the half-way mark and I'd again hear that thumping sound. The repair guy couldn't duplicate the problems, but he replaced the thermostat a second time. Less than a few weeks later, the issue is back.
    Happens during street driving, or in heavy traffic. Once I get up to a decent speed, the engine cools back down to under the 1/2 mark.
  • gee271gee271 Member Posts: 2
    I changed the pump w/no effect. Checked fuses and relays..all good. Any oter suggestions?
  • mtb3mtb3 Member Posts: 2
    My 98 Intrigue with 103,000 miles dropped to about 19 mpg highway, less than 13 mpg city. Just changed the oxygen sensors (front and back) and the mileage is back to what it had been, about 18 mpg in town and 28-29 mpg highway. The 2 sensors cost a little over $200 for gm parts, but since everything else is good, it was worth the investment.
  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    How easy (or hard) is it to change the oxygen sensors?
  • mtb3mtb3 Member Posts: 2
    It's really not that difficult. Easier than changing the rear spark plugs. The front one is not too bad since you can get to it from the top,in the exhaust manifold near the firewall. The rear one is a little tougher since you need to get underneath. It's in the top of the exhaust pipe ahead of the catalytic converter. You'll need an oxygen sensor socket. I used a deep socket for the front and an offset one for the back. They're easier to remove when the engine is warmed to operating temp.
  • ebzkyebzky Member Posts: 6
    I just got my car back from the shop with a similar problem. The thumping I was hearing, though, seemed to come from the front wheel area. Same thing, would happen in heavy traffic and not on the highway. The problem was said to be a malfunction of the wheel speed sensor, and the hub bearing was replaced. I guess I will find out in the next couple of days if this solved the problem (so I will post again early next week). :confuse:
  • ebzkyebzky Member Posts: 6
    The hub bearing replacement solved the problem. Seems that the wheel speed sensor was causing all kinds of problems elsewhere in the car, from incorrectly cooling the engine to occassionally engaging the ABS (thus the "thumping" noise). The computer always thought the car was running faster than it really was.

    58,000 miles and now running like new. :)
  • cwatcwat Member Posts: 6
    My 02 Intrigue's heater control buttons do not seem to work, will not switch from defrost to floor etc.. It seems as if it is stuck on defrost. If there anything I might check before getting ripped at the deader?
  • energyjohnenergyjohn Member Posts: 1
    98 - washer pump works outside the car with a battery but not when connected in the car. When the washer button is pushed, 12v shows up at the connector for the pump (only when pump is disconnected) no voltage to pump when connected. Tried new ground wire from connector with no help. Red (power wire) goes to fuse box (or relay) under the hood. Suggestions? Thanks
  • crazybob1crazybob1 Member Posts: 1
    Changed the battery in a 98 Intrigue and the electronics kicked over to all metric (kilometers/Celcius etc.) and can not find out how to switch back.

    Dealer says there is and English/Metric switch somewhere although not interested in helping to find same in fact rather surly about being questioned about it.

    Any ideas where this might be or how to get back to the English readings?

    Thx
This discussion has been closed.