Pontiac Grand Am weird electrical problem?

Tiny
ACAVANAUGH4
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • V8
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 161,500 MILES
A few months after I bought my car it started to act funny. The dash lights would go from normal to dim and then in a split second turn off and back on. My head lights would dim and shut off and back on ( but not always when dash lights did). My radio would shut off and back on every 3-5 seconds. But would always go back to the same radio station or cd. I thought it was my alltinater. I had it test and it wasn't it. My battery is brand new and has new connections as well. Then I had a new issue. This has happened 5-6 times now since June. While drive my car has died and will crank but not start. When it does this the inside of the car has now power. My headlights dont come one I can lock the doors, roll down the windows, pop the trunk, no heat or air works. Also my key gets stuck in the ignition. Can turn it to try and start the car and turn it all the way back but it wont come out. If you do get it out and put it back in again it gets stuck again. I have even let the car sit for 12-14 hrs and it would still be dead. One time when it died my grandpa came to tow the car the car. When we pushed it on to the dully (but didnt go up) it hit it hard enough twice and the car started and had no issues for a few months with it dying but still have the dash issue and radio/head light issue. Time before if my son who is 5 jumped up and down on the truck would get power to the inside and then lose it. I am honestly lost at what is going on with the car. Is this a ground wire issue. If so how can I track it down. Or find out what is causing this.
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013 AT 2:53 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Have a pro look at this it may be an ignition switch or something wrong in the fuse box underhood.
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013 AT 3:08 PM
Tiny
ACAVANAUGH4
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Can that affect things like the radio cutting in and out ever few seconds. In ignition switch I mean
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013 AT 4:36 PM
Tiny
ACAVANAUGH4
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I should add when there is no power to the car on the inside. The car will still crank and try to start. And even if I remove the key the dash lights will still flash
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013 AT 4:54 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Yes the ignition switch can do it but so can a fusible link an delectrical issues like this are better physically seen and taken care of.
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 AT 6:52 AM

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