Newly purchased 1997 Grand Prix GT

**swtnlow1** · 03-22-2015

My wife had her heart set on the Grand Prix wide body for a long time. After some saving, and selling her truck to our son, she had the money to buy one. Figures it would be tax time, and the price of things seems to have doubled. We looked at several cars and finally found one we were interested in. Went to look at it and it was in our price range, actually less than we set out to spend. We made the deal with the owner and took the car home. The next day we started doing little repairs which quickly escalated, I found out that the Light for the SES indicator had been removed and there were a whole pile of codes. Now, after changing plugs and wires the idle wants to surge and sometimes the car will die. It has a remanufactured MAF sensor in it, and with my scanner hooked up I am getting no change in readings as the RPMs increase. The reading I believe is .240 and stays there. Will this cause my idle problem, and if so what is the recommended part to replace it with. I tried another reman MAF and nothing changed. Should I stick with OEM parts in this area. Also, I removed the IAC and cleaned it and the passages, now I am trying to find the relearn or adjustment procedures. Thank you in advance for any help or input into solving my dilemma. After getting the bugs worked out, I think this will be a great car. BTW, the car has right at 180k miles.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-22-2015

post the codes you got. surging can be a large vac leak. or the maf. oem is best. junk yard mafs are great. im on one for 5 years now. best 40 bucks i ever spent.

theres no re learning you can do. the car learns as you drive. if you reset the pcm, or cleared the codes.

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 03-22-2015

Delco MAF's are the only ones you want to buy.

There isnt a relearn or adjustment for the IAC, cleaning it and the throttle body are all you need to do.

I'd check fuel trims, long term terms to be exact to check for vacuum leaks. That can be a cause of surging. But you will want a new MAF sensor before you go that far, thats the most important sensor for driveablility.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-22-2015

this guys selling two 97-98 mafs. dirt cheap too. http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...ome-Vent-Rings

**swtnlow1** · 03-22-2015

I got 3 codes; P1020, P1655, P0141. I will hit the Pick a Part this Friday coming up, it will be my first opportunity. How hard is it to replace the bulb for the check engine light?

**Scottydoggs** · 03-22-2015

http://engine-codes.com/p1655_pontiac.html evap purge solenoid, its on the engine.

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0141 o2 no heater circuit

http://www.gmforum.com/2000-2005-90/...0-ssei-240922/ maf code, low voltage.

first thing is to check fuse 21 in the fuse box, that fuse is for the maf, and the o2 sensor. if the fuse is good, then maybe you need a new o2 sensor.

the maf being low voltage, if its not the fuse check the wires leading to the plug. if you see any damage, cracks or missing insulation, or bare wire showing the pig tail is dead and needs to be replaced. if the wires look ok, try a used maf.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-22-2015

oh, while at the junk yard pick up a new cluster. im sure it will be easier then fixing the cel bulb.....what a asshole the last owner is. i hate that crap.

the cluster is 4 little bolts one plug and the trim ring around the dash front, its all clips. takes 10 minutes to snag one.

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 03-22-2015

A bulb should be quicker than a cluster, and your mileage will not change.

Pull the cluster, remove the small bulb and figure out the size and replace it.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-22-2015

miles are not in the dic on a 97?

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 03-22-2015

No, because nealy half the 97-03 grand prix's dont even have digital info centers. All they do it show mpgs, fuel used, miles till empty and oil life.

**swtnlow1** · 03-22-2015

Awesome, fuse 21 was blown, and after replacing it I was getting readings on my scanner. Thank you Scottydoggs. Now to just get the ses light back to working.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-22-2015

and the evap purge solenoid. but thats easy to swap out. thats a junk yard part to if you want to save a buck.

if the o2 code pops up again its the heater in the o2. it would need to be replaced. once again, buy a acdelco o2. my o2 for my 98 was was 42 bucks shipped with a 5% off code at rockauto.com

**swtnlow1** · 03-22-2015

I removed the seat belt light and used it and the holder for my ses light. Still going to make a run to the Pick a Part Friday. Could use little things for the interior. The ash tray is missing and other small parts. Might track down a purge valve as well. Does it need to be from the same year and engine?

**Scottydoggs** · 03-22-2015

they all seem to look the same 97-03. n/a and s/c are all the same. i got a maf out of a n/a car. same part #.

best to hit up a parts store web site and double check the part #'s for the newer years. park ave, lasabra, regals. all use the same sensors pretty much.

that gives you more cars to look at while at the yard.

**02GPinNY** · 03-23-2015

Hey Scotty! It's been a while since I've been on. How the heck are ya doing. I hope all is cool on the Jersey side bud. I still have the GP and she is still running perfect. No problems at all except for an occasional CEL which I can never seems to find the cause of. It doesn't affect driving so I'm not worried about it. Anyhow, I saw you on and wanted to say hello. I'll try and get on more often. Take care, Billy.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-23-2015

you done went and dropped off lol good see ya around.

**02GPinNY** · 03-23-2015

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

you done went and dropped off lol good see ya around.

Yeah, I sure did. Not intentionally though. Anyhow, I don't want to hijack this thread but I just wanted to say hello. I'll be on from now on.

**RonDawgIn 02 GTP** · 03-25-2015

I have 02gtp coupe.with 3.5"pulley,zzp 1.0 pcm,zzp down pipe,fenderwell intake,and colder plugs and thermostat..and this morning in started to hear like a rattling noise and when I give it gas goes away till I stop.. I think it might bbthe tension pulley sounds coming from that area..any infonwoild b a help