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Pontiac Grand Prix - 2000-2005
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Comments
If you have time, go to Rockauto.com and bring up the list prior to 02 to see if its still the same units.
*as an after thought, i put in the GTO for 04 - Obviously with that big engine etc- completely different units.*
From 1997 to 2003- both the GT and GTP have the same Compressor and Condenser
Prior to 97 it was a different condensor and compressor model #'S (1996, 1995 )
I wonder why they changed and I wonder if the new ones have some cooling issues for some people? This is the first I have heard of the problem.
I had my 03 GT in for routine maint. etc this morning.(Local Pontiac Dealership)
I got to talking with the parts dept people while waiting and asked them what was the difference
between the 03 and 04 regarding refrig etc (R134A)
They went into the service.gm.com site -(need a password to get the good stuff naturally!)
They printed out a REFRIGERANT SYSTEM CAPACITIES sheet for me on both vehicles- 03 and 04.
Your not going to like the numbers, but I'll recommend other options after this:
R134A Refrig Charge- DOCUMENT ID # 960490- 2004 GP- 1.05(KG) or 2.3LBS
DOCUMENT ID # 847987- 2003 GP- .997 (KG) 0r 2.2LBS
The BTU rating for R134A Refrig (from another site I looked up) is approx 93 BTU'S per lb.
Doing basic math 04 GP- 2.3 X 93 = approx 214BTU'S
03 GP- 2.2 X 93 = approx 205BTU'S
If the above numbers are correct, the 04 has the HIGHER BTU rating.
I know you said that you had it to two GM Dealerships to be checked out - dye test for leaks etc.
I also spoke to the service dept- they said when they have a complaint -re-a/c not working right- they would completely purge the entire system- refill the PAG OIL etc- Re-charge with R-134A- check for leaks- (dye test etc.)- replace all "0" rings in system.
(*Side note here- They said they have not had any complaints they are aware of regarding A/C not being cold enought etc on 04 GP'S)
Did either one of your Dealerships do this for you or did they just test with dye?
Also they said they WOULD NOT normally check under your dash to see if the Evaporator was mal-functioning, but this is another area to consider.
(The Evaporator was also changed from 03 to 04)
03- Part# 1562692
04- Part# 1562962
One last question- What Dealerships did you go to?
I also live in NJ- (Northwestern part of the state)
We noticed the A/C wasn't too cold (even down to 5 blue pegs and full blower) a few weeks ago. The car was due for the 15,000 mile service (actually have 17,600 on it) and one of the things the manual says to change at 15K is the Passenger Cabin Air Filter. I had to tell the service dept. about this since it wasn't part of their routine 15K schedule :-|
Granted, it hasn't been quite as hot here the last week or so, but boy what a difference! It's like that NAPA commercial with Mikey & Dale Jr. in the "frozen" car on the beach. I can only bring the dial down to about 3 blue pegs and it's too darn cold already!
Just thought that might be the issue here.
I've gone to Freehold Pontiac, Buick GMC in Freehold NJ. I've been pleased with the service there.
Need your professional opinion regarding the 04 GP
A/C problems for bobinnj, rkw2, etc.
Anything else to look for?
Thanks,
Chuck.
Let us know what you find out.
I'll try to get him on the M&R board.
Chuck
Or if you want me to do it, let me know.
I should have thought of linking him to the messages here earlier.
Thanks again.
I read that regular octane if fine to use.
what is everyone else using?
Do you notice better performance with higher octane?
Thanks
I will be getting a better idea on acceleration during the commute this week.
I don't think I'm getting the 6.6 sec. 0-60 mph they claim. I had the traction control off and it left a nice long black mark!!!!
Guess I was expecting the same performance in second. Never guess I'm a 59 year old gear head would ya. to answer your question, it may be my imagination, but it feels a little peppier with premium gas
Know, however, that with automatic climate control, the temp should be set on the temperature you want it to be. If you have to turn it up after a while as the car is getting too cold, then the setting you end up turning it up to is the place you should have it to start with. Just like a home thermostat, the AC will still get to the set temperature just as quickly, it just then won't go under it.
Put another way, the car will not cool down any faster just because you set the temperature lower---instead it will just keep cooling til it DOES get that cold or you stop it by turning it up. That's what's automatic about automatic climate control. Once you have it, you will never want to go back.
My 98 Grand Prix GTP had it. GM deleted it, even as an option, on Grand Prix a couple of years later.
Enjoy your new car though it cost you dearly. Better you than me.
If you have lots of money to throw around like that then why would you buy a Grand Prix in the first place? Like "idntnvi" says, it's one issue and it could be fixed I am sure.
Like I said, better him than me.
Bottom line here is Your Money/ Your Decision!
Good luck with your new wheels!!
Good luck to all - I've enjoyed the interchange.
We have thoroughly enjoyed our Grand Prix and have had virtually no problems with it aside from some loose trim. The a/c was one component of an otherwise good car. GM engineeres have done a fine job with this car and I'm saying this after driving a Honda for many years.
Like was said above, your money.
This is one aspect of 'reliability' that often seems not to be emphasized when considering new vehicles. Even when under warrantee, and the MFR is dealing with the costs, I find it both frustrating and very inconvenient to have to deal with repeated failures and / or problems with diagnosis. And the “they are all like that” response. I do understand that modern automobiles are tremendously complex devices – and prone to various problems.
While I have owned several vehicles with a lot of soul and spirit, and less than exemplary reliability, I now try to find a combination of attributes that works for me. Meaning, enough soul to be interesting (more than a CamCord) and reasonable reliability. Not an easy thing to find in a contemporary sport sedan.
I did own a previous generation GTP – and it did not have issues with the A/C – but living in Georgia I appreciate A/C and would prefer never to live here without the seat coolers in my current ride. I have no medical reason to ‘need’ powerful A/C – but I do like the comfort provided.
- Ray
Preferring never to deal with any automobile dealership, but . . .
I really feel orphaned by the whole industry. I despise trucks (not their owners), but sedans, especially large ones, have been neglected for years by both domestic and import makers. Nothing in the market around $25000 attracts me. Sure there are interesting wheels above $30000, but I refuse to spend that much on a car, in spite of being a gear head...
TIA
The main reason I came off so bluntly is because our family has had it's fair share of lemons, and a warm A/C would have been the least of our problems. Prior to my '99 XLS Explorer I now have, I had a '98 Suzuki Sidekick that lost the rear end at 34k miles, and sat in my driveway for 3 months before Suzuki ever did anything about it. When I traded it off in June of '03, the clutch was going out of it for the second time, at 55k miles.
We'd had the SSEi about a month when it's first alternator went out, leaving us stranded in the intersection to Dollywood, right after the park had closed and hundreds of cars were trying to leave...while we blocked the road. The electronic module in the dash went out as soon as we got it, and had to be replaced, at the cost of the dealership where we bought it (it had 40k on it when it was bought in '96), then over time nearly all the electronics on it has went out...power windows, antenna, cd player, door locks...and it leaked really bad around the door moldings and the sunroof...which was remedied with a friend I call Silicone.
A '92 Dodge Dakota was also a bit problematic, but was gotten rid of before the beloved transmission dropped...dad had it less than 3 years and 17k miles.
We're on a pretty good stretch right now (knock on wood), and haven't had any major troubles. As you can see, I have reason for referring to an A/C complaint as "pitty," however in your situation it was major.
I wish you luck with the Maxima. Stop in and let us know how it's going. The Maxima and Altima have also both been eyed as a replacement for mom's SSEi. Have a good 'un.
idntnvu
It is good that GM now may know there is a problem with some a/c units. Like I said, mine is fine so maybe your dealer had a bad batch?
I'll tell you a story though, we have a lady in the office who bought a Toyota Corolla this winter. Her a/c works but it smells like rotten eggs. He dealer has looked at it twice and it still smells and nothing more is going to be done. She will live with the smell though it's her "last Toyota". Goes to show you GM / domestics are not the only ones with a/c issues on other wise very good cars!
Thanks!
And enjoy your new Max - maybe I'll see you over in that discussion as well.
As far as smelly AC's on Corollas, etc. - as I said, some of it comes down to luck. No auto mfgr. gets it right every time and you have to factor in the human element. As long as you have human beings assembling cars, at least those steps not done by robots these days, you're going to have the chance of something getting screwed up. That's why QC is so important at every step of assembly. I can only speak from my personal experience and those of my family (1 family member swears by Toyota and has had 2 or 3 Corollas and now a Camry and only has positive things to say about them. She would never own a US car if you gave it to her, but that's based on her Toyota experience over a period of 25+ years) - that is, the Japanese carmakers seem to be turning out a higher percentage of 'winners' than 'losers' and seem to have acquired the knowledge/skills to turn out relatively high quality, affordable and reliable vehicles over a wide range of model types. I think the US car makers have improved since the terrible days of the early-mid 80's when a lot of products coming out of Detroit were pretty awful. Hopefully they'll continue to make progress - which they'll have to do to survive. As I said, I'd rather buy an American vehicle to support the domestic economy, keep US auto workers in their jobs, etc., but after this experience, I'm probably going to wait several years before going down that route again. I'm signing out here and wish to express my thanks to all who tried to help me with my AC problem. I know some of you guys went out of your way to get me information from parts suppliers, etc., and I really appreciated getting that. It was nice having this forum available hear about other's experiences with their GPs. Good luck with all your vehicles, whatever brand they may be, and hope all your car troubles are minor ones. Happy motoring.
I've heard that the Nissans and Hondas have a pretty bad torque steer when flooring off the line. Did you have a chance to notice that in your test-drives?
TIA
Good luck with the car. They do look pretty sharp. At least you didn't get a Camry. Yawn!
Like, i mean when you sit in the car, how are your impressions relative to the GP? Im not sure, but if you had the steering wheel shifts in your GP, do you miss them?
Thx.
My wife and I own Gran Sports. Her '00 seems much faster off-the-line than my '98. Her's has 35,000 miles and mine has 53,000. The throttle response at idle also appears to be much better with her's than mine. Both cars have never had a tune-up. I wonder if worn spark plugs or a clogged PCV could cause this problem? Both cars have been using Shell's V-Power gas, so I think I can rule out dirty fuel injectors. I recently had my tranny overhauled, but even that didn't seem to help. Both cars are getting maximum S/C boosts of 6-7 PSI. I was thinking of taking it to our Buick dealer for a complete engine diagnosis. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks