2001 Pontiac Aztek Same problems as you described (horn, lights, all dashboard indicators, security system lockout, rear hatch opened while driving, etc.) VIN is not handy but I will get it and forward seperately Replaced BCM - problems seemed to abate for about 8 months. Recently, all dashboard indications were lost (MPH, RPM, fuel, temp, DIC). Fuel gauge has been erratic for about 1 year and was not corrected by replacing the BCM.
OK replaced thermostat.radiator cap and intake gaskets. So what it does is this. The antifreeze will go into the overflow and not go back into the radiator and naturally overheats. So when i pop the cap the fluid will drain back into the radiator and it is all good again. Well atleast intill i shut it off the restart it in a few hours then it all happens again. The system holds pressure. The is no oil in the antifreeze and vice versa. And no smoke from the exhaust. Im stummped on this on and need some help here.
Well to make a long story short my intake manifold gasket was bad $865.95 and once they got in there they said my head gaskets were damp. They couldnt say that they were a problem but couldnt say they wouldnt be a problem so they were sending those out to make sure they were not cracked and then replaced the gaskets. Total fix $1759.88
Hi all, i'm a pontiac owner with an aztek 2004 model. recently i experienced that my SUV's speed depreciates when i press very hard on the accelerator (it further slows down instead of moving very fast). I'd like what might be the problem coz i was told its the control box.
Went to start the vehicle and it died out but when I tried to turn the key to off position and then try to restart it, it got stuck and wont go back to off. After several attempts we did manage to get the key out (still not in off position) and even turning to on, car turns over ( if my husbands tries to start it underneath) but will not start and will not go back into the off position. Please help
This happens fairly often when there is a electrical power problem. Most likely its a battery/charging system issue. It may also be a bad cable connection. either on battery or possibly the underhood fuse box.
Thanks to all of you here on this site I now have my Aztek back on the road . I read through various post and what the guys said to check for and believe it or not it was just a #42 fuse. I figured we would go back and check everything once again before taking it to the dealership. So for under $5.00 I'm back on the road. This site is the best.... Thanks again!!!!!!!!!
Reading all these topics about thermostat and blown gaskets is making my stomach turn. We bought a 2001 Aztek last year, have loved it so far, but the other night the alarm went off suddenly to check gauges and the engine was overheated. I stopped, let it cool down and then drown 1/2 mile home. The light came on again on the way to the mechanic the next day. They say the head gasket is blown and want $2500 to $3000 to fix. Mostly labor. Is it worth fixing this car with all these problems I am reading about? I still owe on it, so maybe I don't have an option, but I'm not sure how to go with this? Shoud we attempt to do this ourselves and same some money on labor? Don't know but need some help!!!
I do love my 02 Aztek but I have been having some issues with it recently. The vehicle has 100k on it and I've put 60 on it myself. This afternoon I was driving down the street and the "high coolant temp" light came on. I was told that it could be the thermostat (10 bucks at local auto shop). I switched that sucker out today and just took to out for a spin. Same thing. The "high coolant temp" light came on and the engine temp gauge was in the red. I shut the engine off and let it cool down. When I drove home I watched the temp guage go up and down and then finally spike and the light went off again.
Also, when I put the new thermostat in I did not get any radiator fluid leakage. I checked the reservoir and it was full.
Not sure if your still looking for accessories for your Aztek. But mine just got written off. But I have a brand new Tent Package never used, and the cooler for the middle.
Funny to have seen this post. Im having the EXACT same problem. Kept losing heat and changed the thermostat twice thinking I got a faulty one so I got a better one same thin. Got so hot it blew my intake manifold gasket. That was just fixed, engine was flushed as there was coolant mixed with the oil.New Intake gasket, new thermostat changed oil twice after flushing. Got it back yesterday and my third trip into tow (a mile) started overheating again and I lost heat. Bled it in the driveway seemed to stay at a good temp just down the road and back. Went to take my daughter to her dance (had hubby following) less than a mile it overheats again. I am sooo frustrated with this car and the sad thing is I love the car and dont want to trade it in. My Dad said something about a sensor tonight and I saw your post that didnt fix it. Maybe the sensor was bad and thats what killed the intake gasket?? Its not leaking, the oil still looks new from the recent change and I have no smoke in my exhaust?? Is yours fixed??
Dont know a whole lot however my husband found that when you are adding antifreez someone has to be holding the gas gently otherwise it doesnt go in and seems to be full. We thought it was full and found we had less than a gallon in when we drained it. Pushing the gas seems to help, although we are still having overheating issues after doing the intake and flushing and adding all new fluids. My Dad said may be a sensor.... How'd you fair??
Geez I think Ive had every problem listed in this forum... how depressing.. anyways I had that start in my 03 summer of 07,then last summer (08) I would shut it off and come out to restart it and it wouldnt start the half to an hour later it would start (usually when I had a tow truck en route.. it ended up being the fuel pump which is super expensive from a dealer and in parts stores. Found one on ebay with a lifetime warranty even tho it was used and fixed the problem immedietly. Now new ones have risen... I wish the Aztek wasnt such junk I do like the car...
I took mine to the dealer.. ends up $1958.78 later... new intake manifold gasket.. new header gaskets.. rework to headers and exhaust.. i havent actually looked at the bill to see if they did anything else or charged me for the wash which was nice .. but i drove 2 hours away and back this weekend with out any problems. I hope its done cause im BROKE Good luck!
Im beyond broke so I hear you there. The only thing we havent done is the head. New intake gasket and replaced sensor. The car isnt over heating any more just lose heat on and off. Im told its air in the line somewhere but we bled it for hours yesterday... guess we're going to try that again. I love the car (style etc) but I think we're about done. Also had 3 rearends put into it..Thanks
I have a 2005 Pontiac Aztek. I bought it brand new and have 72,000 miles on it. I just recently started hearing a faintly squeeking noise, so i took it in and they told me I needed a new belt. After a week and a half the squeeking came back, and the place I took it to reffered me to the dealership. The dealership was quick to tell me that I need a new A/C compressor, and that would be $1200!! They said the ac compressor has a hole in it. After not having $1200 and by now a horriblesqueeking noise I took it to another shop that is family owned. They said they are not for sure that it is the ac compressor and that I needed a new tensioner and belt. So I forked out $250 and did it. Last night I heard the faint squeeking noise come back, and so far today I just haven't driven it. I just want to go around town squeek-free? Any ideas on what it could be? HELP!
hello there, when i first seen the pontiac aztek i tell u i feel in love. it's really nice, roomy and it drives nice. well when i test drove it. i been reading and trying to find out about this car. i found one at a dealer and talked the man down. i did the carfax and only had two owners. the car has 9'987 miles, onstar, camper, so i can tailgate (wink) it comes with the tent and all. i really want this car. if i put 5,000 dollars in it do u this that's wise?! plz help b/c i suppose to buy it FRIDAY.....2/20/09
I just found this site and hope someone can help. My 2001 Aztec has just under 150,000 miles and has been making this awful grinding noise in the back. I was told it might need versatrak fluid in the differential (?). Anyhow, I found a site that sells the fluid ($18.66/16.9 oz bottle - much less than the dealer), but I don't know how many to buy. Does anyone know how many bottles of versatrak are needed for the differential? I love my Aztec and want want to keep it as long as I can
The need for versatrak fluid is usually evidenced by a groan/moan from rear typicaly at slow speeds. A grinding noise may be more indicative of wheel bearing issue.
For the 2002 I would want to know (if possible) if the lower intake manifold gaskets have been replaced with newer part number (many if not all will fail rather early with the older part). Also for that year wheel bearing/hub assembly can be an issue for some. For some (more if it has spent time in hot climates) there could be problem with fuel tank (leak where the filler tube meets the fuel tank), a little look see might be wise for that. For the AWD part, more of a maintenance issue then anything else, a moan/groan from rear indicates need for either fluid fillup or change usually. Also for that year some have replaced BCM with newer part. This is not meant to scare you at all and some of these things may well have been corrected already on this particular vehicle, just some ideas. We have 2 and have been pretty pleased with both. They are pretty comfortable on a long ride, roomy, and fairly easy to go camping with.
Thanks for the response. I might be using the wrong word - it kind of sounds like I'm taking off in an airplane or something, only the noise continues. Anyhow, I took the car to a mechanic who said it needed differential fluid and the work will cost around $600 :surprise: . My brother says he'll put the fluid in himself to save me the money the mechanic wants to charge (he's pretty good with cars). I found a place that sells versatrak fluid but want to confirm the number of bottles needed. If the mechanic was wrong, the worse that happens is the car got new fluid in the differential (which has never been done at almost 150,000 miles).
2003 AWD Aztec - I posted to this forum quite some time ago with some of the same questions. Actually, in addition to the noise in the back (sounds like a moaning whale), I've also had all of my gauges at one time or other go out. My odometer starts to stick at 60MPH, and won't zero back out when I have to slow or stop. So on long distance trips, the dial reads 120(+) mph, even when I'm going 25 mph. My fuel gauge also flops onto the temp gauge frequently (which has floated into the danger zone a time or two, even when cold), and my tachometer will rev up to 3-4,000 rpm, even though I know I'm only tachin' at 1500. There are those woeful days when all the gauges are out at the same time, but thankfully that's not often. Apparently, people often replace the instrument cluster/panel, but that usually doesn't fix the problem.
What I've discovered is that I need a new "Body" computer for the gauges ($350), and I need a new rear differential ($2-3,000) because the clutch in my AWD assembly is bad. The grinding/groan noise can also come from a bad wheel hub assembly (please forgive me if my terminology is incorrect), which I have had to replace twice in 170,00miles. These expenses are really racking up! But I love this stupid vehicle, so what can you do! Hope this information helps someone.
$600 is a LOT, especially considering I've had my Poniac Dealer do it for $300. If done wrong, it could potentially mess up your clutch, and then you'll really be talking big bucks (see previous post), so make sure whoever does it knows what they're doing. Good Luck.
Hello again......as much as i love the car, something just not sitting wif me. the man at the dealer really want me to but this car. he said two other ppl were looking at it. since i had CASH money he wanted 6 thousand for it but the other two price was $8900. that was a big jump. but i been looking and found a 2002 nissan altima right in fl...... waiting on that guy to get back wif me. if everything go as planned i will be driving that....wish me luck. and thx again
Wait... $300??? If it were $300 at the local dealer, I'd definitely have them do it. I live in New Jersey though - maybe rates are different in your area.
I have a 2002 Pontiac Aztek AWD. I drove it to take my youngest daughter to school one morning, came home and tried to go out 20 minutes later and the vehicle would not start. It turns over but acts like there is no spark or possibly no fuel geting to the engine. Does anyone have any ideas as to whhat the problem might be. It was running fine and gave no indication that there was a problem. It is my only vehicle and I need to get it back on the road. Thanks for the help.
Yeah, I just got this diagnosis, but my problems are a little different. When I bought the car in January from my stepdaughter, the engine needs service light was on and had been on for some time. In the daytime, the high beam signal flashed all the time and at night, when I signaled right, the high beams came on.
I went to visit a friend a couple of weeks later and the air wouldn't work. (Yes, we use the air in January in the California desert.) While stewing on that, locking the car and walking away, the alarm starting going off. I reset it three times, same result. I left it unlocked. This went on for another week, until I took it to the dealer, where, of course, it never failed, or so they said. (The a/c, by the way, worked intermittently after that.) More, the transmission console lights were intermittent, the door locks didn't work sometimes, including the hatch, the headlights stayed on when driving during the day, the airbag light went on and off, and the check engine light, which the dealer had turned off, was back on. I wanted the alarm and a/c fixed. The dealer told me to diagnose the problem, they'd have to fix the turn signal. They did, but it fixed nothing else and they had no further diagnosis. They said they need more money for further diagnosis and I said I already paid for a diagnosis and a fix that didn't fix what I came in for! To their credit, they refunded me. I had a new turn signal that didn't trigger the high beam, but now the a/c stopped completely and I still couldn't lock my car. Finally after two more tries, I was diagnosed yesterday with BCM issues. Checking here and at other sites, I have hopes that this is the problem, but nobody is listing the exact same symptoms as me. Further this is costing me $700 plus dollars. I asked the mechanic and they point out that programming the BCM is expensive, too.
I got the car for a song, so I'm still ahead financially. I love the car. It's a huge improvement over what I had, but sheesh. I'm sure hoping this solves the problem.
Hopefully, this letter will shed light for some other Aztekkie.
If you have read the older posts in this forum, you will know that the BCM can be replaced by anyone with a little know how. The part can be purchased for under $200 on the internet (just Google ACDelco 15235418). If you follow my guide in this forum, you can replace it in a few hours. The computer must be reprogrammed at the dealer, but that is an $80 job. Check my guide Aztek BCM replacement and make a decision.
I have a 2001 and the air condittioning went out 2 summers ago. Now the blower (fan) only works on level 4 (level 5 has never worked, and now 1-3 dont) and the heat only is hot when vehicle is moving. So when stopped at a red light the heat is cold. So now I have onlyheat on level 4 when car is moving. Anyone know what this is, and how much it will cost to repair? The car is paid off and has 82000 miles on it, I was hoping to keep it a couple more years unil I am out of school. But if its going to cost much more than 1000 to fix, I think I may look into purchasing a new car.
Yep! I can tell you what it is!! We went through that for 2 summers and after failed comp tests figured it out. Its the fuel pump. We had it on machines but by the time they did it it would start. :confuse: It was awful. Now we have head issues and Im done. :sick: Good luck with yours. I love the style of them but mine has been a headache from day 1 with 3 rearends(while under warranty) all the bearings. I guess these are common problems. I got the fuel pump on ebay by doing an aztek search. Paid $50 and they guarantee them for life. My husband put it in so if you have someone handy it would save you on labor. Good luck!! :lemon:
I am looking to purchase this vehicle. It has almost 190,000 miles on it. It was a fllet vehicle for most of it's time, driven approx. 24,000 miles a year, and has service records showing on Carfax up til late 2007. How much life could this vehicle possibly have left? Is it worth even considering buying? It looks to be in great shape, I am just scared about all those miles!!! Please respond!!!
I have a 2004 Aztek with approx 120k miles. No real issues. Started her up the other day an heard this horrendous knocking sound coming from my engine. Took it to the oil change shop where all the guys gave me the look most guys give to women when they think you've screwed up a car. First question: "do you have oil in there?" well, i did. and it was clean. they flushed the engine, put high mileage oil in and a treatment ($100 oil change!). told me they hoped it helped but if noise continued, go to dealer. said they've only heard a vehicle sound like that when it was running with no oil and it may be the lifters?????
excuse me for being a girl, but is this a huge problem? the somber looks on their faces lead me to believe i'm about to spend a lot of money. anyone else experience this?
I have an '01 Aztek that is my worst nightmare. Every other week something else goes on with it.
For the gmhater looking for the source of water intrusion, I may have what you are looking for. My AWD has been disabled for 1 year now, the fuel pump already went out, had that and part of the wiring harness changed due to corrosion, now I am getting ready to put a new bushing (not sure the spelling is correct) on the right rear wheel. Every time I hit a bump, my anti-lock brake light comes on but goes off after restarting the dumb thing. The car tries to over heat everytime I go up a big hill or when it sits and idles for very long.
Last summer, my son spilled milk in the floor board on the passanger side. I was trying to clean it out of my carpet so it wouldn't start stinking. I pulled back the carpet and there was a huge puddle filling the whole bottom of the car. My husband pulled it all up from the whole floor trying to find the problem.
I started the car and turned on the A/C, after a few minutes, It starting pouring in from up under the dash. A steady fast stream.
Under the hood, if you look at the hole where the a/c drains, it comes out and then straight back in behind the firewall right under the carpet. So now, all the wiring and connectors are corroding.
I really hope this helps. Let me know what you find out.
Last week, my dim lights messed up. I figured out after blinding people all the way home from work, that when I tilt my steering wheel down my dim lights go out. But if I leave my steering wheel all the way up, my dim lights work. What is up with that???????????
Another steering wheel question. I have a 2003 Aztek with 50,000 miles. The steering column is whistling a little when it's turned either right or left. I took it to a mechanic last week, who said he put fluid in the steering column pump (this is a new one on me!) which should solve the problem.
The whistle is now coming & going. This morning I had no power steering for about 30 seconds. What's going on, and how much is it going to cost me? I think I'm going to have to tell the mechanic what to fix.
I noticed that back in July of 07 you posted a message about having problems with the park lights with your Aztek. I think that our problems may be the same and I would like to know how you were able to fix this problem. You may email me at my home account if you like, lesley724@sbcglobal.net, if not just on here Anything would help!!
When we first bought the car there was a loud grinding noise coming from the rear (like in the hatch back) the dealership said it was the rearend and agreed to replace it in our purchase agreement. A year later the noise was back and it had to be replaced again. The rear ends in the azteks are one solid unit so the whole thing had to be replaced at a tune of $700 each, thankfully mine was under warranty at the time. Grinding noises by the wheels are bearings so I guess it depends on where your hearing the noise. Hope this helps!!
Hi I hate to tell you this but most over heating issues end up being the head gasket. A mechanic can do a pressure test on it to se if thats your problem! Good luck!
Thanks for the input. The noise seems to be coming from the center rear, rather than either side. I was able to buy the differential fluid from a local dealership and the people at JLube actually put the fluid in for $20 - you never know what you can get till you ask, right . I was really happy about that. The noise has diminished considerably but is still there. I noticed from previous posts that some people had to do this twice. So, I'm going to give it about a month and replace the fluid again to see if it gets rid of the noise altogether.
Comments
Same problems as you described (horn, lights, all dashboard indicators, security system lockout, rear hatch opened while driving, etc.)
VIN is not handy but I will get it and forward seperately
Replaced BCM - problems seemed to abate for about 8 months.
Recently, all dashboard indications were lost (MPH, RPM, fuel, temp, DIC).
Fuel gauge has been erratic for about 1 year and was not corrected by replacing the BCM.
i'm a pontiac owner with an aztek 2004 model. recently i experienced that my SUV's speed depreciates when i press very hard on the accelerator (it further slows down instead of moving very fast). I'd like what might be the problem coz i was told its the control box.
Can somebody help me on this?
Thanks.
I do love my 02 Aztek but I have been having some issues with it recently. The vehicle has 100k on it and I've put 60 on it myself. This afternoon I was driving down the street and the "high coolant temp" light came on. I was told that it could be the thermostat (10 bucks at local auto shop). I switched that sucker out today and just took to out for a spin. Same thing. The "high coolant temp" light came on and the engine temp gauge was in the red. I shut the engine off and let it cool down. When I drove home I watched the temp guage go up and down and then finally spike and the light went off again.
Also, when I put the new thermostat in I did not get any radiator fluid leakage. I checked the reservoir and it was full.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Chad
This is not meant to scare you at all and some of these things may well have been corrected already on this particular vehicle, just some ideas. We have 2 and have been pretty pleased with both. They are pretty comfortable on a long ride, roomy, and fairly easy to go camping with.
What I've discovered is that I need a new "Body" computer for the gauges ($350), and I need a new rear differential ($2-3,000) because the clutch in my AWD assembly is bad. The grinding/groan noise can also come from a bad wheel hub assembly (please forgive me if my terminology is incorrect), which I have had to replace twice in 170,00miles. These expenses are really racking up! But I love this stupid vehicle, so what can you do! Hope this information helps someone.
LJL
LJL
I went to visit a friend a couple of weeks later and the air wouldn't work. (Yes, we use the air in January in the California desert.) While stewing on that, locking the car and walking away, the alarm starting going off. I reset it three times, same result. I left it unlocked. This went on for another week, until I took it to the dealer, where, of course, it never failed, or so they said. (The a/c, by the way, worked intermittently after that.) More, the transmission console lights were intermittent, the door locks didn't work sometimes, including the hatch, the headlights stayed on when driving during the day, the airbag light went on and off, and the check engine light, which the dealer had turned off, was back on. I wanted the alarm and a/c fixed. The dealer told me to diagnose the problem, they'd have to fix the turn signal. They did, but it fixed nothing else and they had no further diagnosis. They said they need more money for further diagnosis and I said I already paid for a diagnosis and a fix that didn't fix what I came in for! To their credit, they refunded me. I had a new turn signal that didn't trigger the high beam, but now the a/c stopped completely and I still couldn't lock my car. Finally after two more tries, I was diagnosed yesterday with BCM issues. Checking here and at other sites, I have hopes that this is the problem, but nobody is listing the exact same symptoms as me. Further this is costing me $700 plus dollars. I asked the mechanic and they point out that programming the BCM is expensive, too.
I got the car for a song, so I'm still ahead financially. I love the car. It's a huge improvement over what I had, but sheesh. I'm sure hoping this solves the problem.
Hopefully, this letter will shed light for some other Aztekkie.
The car is paid off and has 82000 miles on it, I was hoping to keep it a couple more years unil I am out of school. But if its going to cost much more than 1000 to fix, I think I may look into purchasing a new car.
Thanks!
her up the other day an heard this horrendous knocking sound coming
from my engine. Took it to the oil change shop where all the guys gave
me the look most guys give to women when they think you've screwed up a
car. First question: "do you have oil in there?" well, i did. and it
was clean. they flushed the engine, put high mileage oil in and a
treatment ($100 oil change!). told me they hoped it helped but if noise
continued, go to dealer. said they've only heard a vehicle sound like
that when it was running with no oil and it may be the lifters?????
excuse me for being a girl, but is this a huge problem? the somber
looks on their faces lead me to believe i'm about to spend a lot of
money. anyone else experience this?
For the gmhater looking for the source of water intrusion, I may have what you are looking for. My AWD has been disabled for 1 year now, the fuel pump already went out, had that and part of the wiring harness changed due to corrosion, now I am getting ready to put a new bushing (not sure the spelling is correct) on the right rear wheel. Every time I hit a bump, my anti-lock brake light comes on but goes off after restarting the dumb thing. The car tries to over heat everytime I go up a big hill or when it sits and idles for very long.
Last summer, my son spilled milk in the floor board on the passanger side. I was trying to clean it out of my carpet so it wouldn't start stinking. I pulled back the carpet and there was a huge puddle filling the whole bottom of the car. My husband pulled it all up from the whole floor trying to find the problem.
I started the car and turned on the A/C, after a few minutes, It starting pouring in from up under the dash. A steady fast stream.
Under the hood, if you look at the hole where the a/c drains, it comes out and then straight back in behind the firewall right under the carpet. So now, all the wiring and connectors are corroding.
I really hope this helps. Let me know what you find out.
The whistle is now coming & going. This morning I had no power steering for about 30 seconds. What's going on, and how much is it going to cost me? I think I'm going to have to tell the mechanic what to fix.
Thanks,
~E
Talk to you soon,
~E
Thank you
Nate