2000 Pontiac Grand Am Vehicle runs very rough like it is missing

Hello -

To better assist you please tell me if your model is a GT or SE. Also your engine size in liter and the 8th digit of your VIN.

Please go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery and alternator.

Hello -

Thanks for the info...........

Okay - you can still go to AZ or OR and use their tool check out program and bring the code scanner home and check the codes yourself.

Good idea about the spark plugs..... But the stalling when going into gear may mean something else.......

It could be several things which is why we want to check for codes.........

It could be the torque converter locking up.......

The rough idle could be a sticking EGR valve, the IAC, MAF etc.........

Try to get the code scanner and check the codes.....

Also check the TCC

Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) Solenoid (Except 1.9L)
NOTE: Some solenoids may have an internal pressure switch in series with the solenoid winding and will not show continuity until transmission hydraulic pressure is applied.
Disconnect Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) solenoid harness connector. Using DVOM, measure resistance between appropriate TCC solenoid terminals. Solenoid resistance should be greater than 20 ohms.

Let me know

Hello -

Okay brett19 - great job on the info... Sorry the car broke down but the good is we are getting more info..... So hang in there....... You are doing a great job! ..... Thanks for that!

When you say the exhaust was glowing red..... Was it the exhaust manifold or the catalytic converter?

Though I would like to wait until I get an answer before I suggest things..... We will press anyway and kind of go back and forth and I will try not to have you do something you don't need too...

Please turn ignition off. Perform a visual inspection of the following. Check vacuum hoses for splits, kinks and proper routing. Check for leaks at throttle body, intake manifold, EGR valve and PCV system. Check PCM grounds for proper connection. Check injector harness connectors for proper installation.

I would really like to know what the fuel pressure is. You do this by: Turn ignition off. Install fuel pressure gauge. Start engine and allow it to idle. Fuel pressure should be 42-55 psi

Though you changed all of this, please make sure you get a good spark. Disconnect spark plug boot from companion cylinder at ignition coil housing and install a fused jumper wire between ground and spark plug connector at ignition coil housing (1-4 or 2-3). Crank engine and check for spark. Is there a spark present at all cylinders?

Turn ignition off. Remove spark plug boot assemblies from affected coil at IC housing. Connect a DVOM between the secondary ignition coil terminals (spark plug connectors 1-4 or 2-3) at ignition coil housing. Resistance should be 4000-8000 ohms. What is it?

Do you have an alarm system that was installed on the vehicle? After searching through about 200 TSBs, I saw this one?

Misfire DTCs P0300, P1380, P1381 and Catalytic Converter Damage Due to Installation of Alarm Systems
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Reference Number(s): 02-06-05-004b, Date of Issue: February 14, 2006
Affected Model(s): 2006 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks; 2006 and Prior HUMMER H2, H3; 2006 and Prior Isuzu Light Duty Trucks
Supercedes: This bulletin is being revised to add model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 02-06-05-004A (Section 06 - Engine/Propulsion System).
Related Ref Number(s): 02-06-05-004, 02-06-05-004A, 02-06-05-004B
ARTICLE BEGINNING
SERVICE INFORMATION
General Motors Engineering, in an effort to determine the root cause of catalytic converter damage, has determined that aftermarket alarm systems incorrectly installed in vehicles have the potential to cause misfire codes and damage to the converter. These alarm systems use a circuit interrupt which utilizes the ignition circuit on the vehicles.
You may be running rich - so that is what I need to know what item on the exhaust is glowing red? If you want to at least get back with me on that before you do the other things that is okay.

Thank you BlueMystc5 for your suggestion....... He may have that but we need to do a few more checks to make sure.

Hello -

Okay. . .. . ...it wasn't the exhaust manifold. . .. . .. . .. . ...that connects to a pipe that goes into the catalytic converter. . .. . .. . .then there is a pipe from the converter to the muffler, then from the muffler out the tail. . .. . .. . ..

In the pic below what was red?

Was there a rotten egg smell or any color smoke out the tail?

Hello -

Sorry so long to get back with you. . .. . .having some computer problems - major ones, so please bear with me as I limp along here.

Well, you can either take it to a muffler shop to check to see if the cat collapsed or disconnect the exhaust where it connects to the exhaust manifold and move it out of the way a little and fire it up.

If it fires right up. . .. . .. . .your cat is plugged.

Now the thing that concerns me though is the code you got. . .. . ...if it is running to lean the that can damage your cat. . .. . .. . .. . .so the lean problem will have to be fixed.

Thanks for the info on the alarm system. . .. . ...as you saw that has caused problems but we can eliminate that one.

Did you ever get a chance to perform a visual inspection of the following. Check vacuum hoses for splits, kinks and proper routing. Check for leaks at throttle body, intake manifold, EGR valve and PCV system. Check PCM grounds for proper connection. Check injector harness connectors for proper installation. That was one of the things to check for that code? Look really good!

Next, I would really like to know what the fuel pressure is. Did you ever get a chance to do that? You do this by: Turn ignition off. Install fuel pressure gauge. Start engine and allow it to idle. Fuel pressure should be 42-55 psi

What about checking the coils - though you changed all of this, please make sure you get a good spark. Disconnect spark plug boot from companion cylinder at ignition coil housing and install a fused jumper wire between ground and spark plug connector at ignition coil housing (1-4 or 2-3). Crank engine and check for spark. Is there a spark present at all cylinders?

Turn ignition off. Remove spark plug boot assemblies from affected coil at IC housing. Connect a DVOM between the secondary ignition coil terminals (spark plug connectors 1-4 or 2-3) at ignition coil housing. Resistance should be 4000-8000 ohms. What is it?

Check the Evaporation canister to see if it is saturated with fuel. . .. . .

Other things that can cause the vehicle to run rich is your engine coolant sensor, MAP and IAT sensor.

With it getting that hot please really check over your O2 sensor for damage. . .. . ...that would also cause it to run rich but it should have thrown a code.

If you have a digital volt meter I can send you some checks for the ECT and IAT. . ..if you want that let me know and tell me about what the outside air temp would be as the engine should be about that. . .. . ..