2002 Pontiac Grand Prix Wants to die

Tiny
HENRYROXMYSOX
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 156,000 MILES
When the temp gauge gets to 210 after idling I go to drive it and it starts dying. Sometimes I can catch it and put it into neutral really quick and rev the engine and put it back into drive to try to get off the main road. But other times when I try that the tachometer will jump and low oil light will come on and then die. I have checked the oil after the car has cooled down and its practically full. I think it might be the fuel filter but I just replaced it about a year and a half ago. But it was having some starting issues which turned out to be a bad camshaft sensor. One of the guys from Napa told me to run some fuel injector cleaner through my engine. So I did and I was wondering if that could be problem and if the fuel filter might be clogged up again. Any thoughts on what could be wrong?
Monday, July 28th, 2014 AT 3:45 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
I hate parts guys, they think they know and don't. Scan for codes and check fuel pressure with a gauge most autoparts rent the gauge. Then clean throttle plate on both sides with choke cleaner and iac hole. Fuel press should be 52-59 with key on engine not running. Fuel filters should be replaced once a year
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Monday, July 28th, 2014 AT 3:55 PM
Tiny
HENRYROXMYSOX
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yeah I'm starting to get that same idea with them. Thanks for the advice. I'll get back to you and let you know how it works.
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Monday, July 28th, 2014 AT 3:57 PM
Tiny
FREEMBA
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,152 POSTS
Has the engine ever overheated?

When the temp reaches 210 deg, are the cooling fans on?

How often do you have to add coolant?
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Monday, July 28th, 2014 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
HENRYROXMYSOX
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Ever since I've had the car it has never overheated. The cooling fans don't come on until I turn the A/C on. I'm pretty sure thats just a relay. And I rarely have to add coolant.
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Monday, July 28th, 2014 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
FREEMBA
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,152 POSTS
Please let me know the results once you change the relays.

Thanks.
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2014 AT 1:58 PM
Tiny
HENRYROXMYSOX
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It was the fuel filter. I appreciate your help. It had me stumped for awhile but I decided to change it and see what happened. It fixed the problem. Thanks again.
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2014 AT 6:32 PM

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