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Need help/ advice with my 2001 GP

C

codman

New member
Ok let me pick your guys brains with a problem with my 2001
grand Prix GT as i have no clue where to start looking.
When i start my car the blower motor, driver message system and auto headlights and dash lights do not work. After a couple miles it will come back on. Its getting worse and worse now. I can turn the headlights on maually and can live without the driver message system but cant live with no blower motor. When it kicks on i can hear like a relay kicking in under the dash somewhere.
Doesnt seem to be an ignition switch as the other keyed power devices like the radio or power windows or sunroof work just fine.
Im really stumped and looking for some advice before i start tearing my car apart.
Car is 2001 four door GP GT with 3.8. Thanks
 


1. Check voltage on the DIC/HVAC and HVAC CTRL fuses for losing voltage when the problem is occurring.

2. If the fuses lose voltage during the problem, go to the Orange wire at pin C6 in connector C201 at the base of the steering column. This wire feeds the above fuses, check for a loss of 12 volts during the problem.

3. If the voltage is low, replace the ignition switch.
 


I was having a similar issue in my 01 GT, and got around it by modifying the ignition wiring as described here:

ClubGP Message Forum troubleshooting

or, if you are squeamish about cutting into factory wiring:
http://www.grandprixforums.net/plug-n-play-ignition-bypass-mod-2698.html

Supposedly, the problem with our ignition systems is that all the accessory power is routed through the ignition switch, so when you turn the car off or on there's a bit of an arc inside the switch, which builds up carbon deposits on the contacts, eventually making the switch fail.

The idea is that instead of routing all accessory power through the ignition switch itself, this mod allows a small amount of power coming from the ignition switch to trip a relay which opens the main accessory line to full power tapped into the line before the switch.

anyhow, it worked really well for me, and at a cost of like $7 for a relay, and being able to avoid opening the steering column at all, it may be worth a shot.

Good luck!
 
Ok Guys. It was the ignition switch. Changed it out on sat. $120.00 bucks later and i have a blower motor and driver message system again!!! Thanks for the help guys. Pontiac does not get a pat on the back for the two little screws that hold the ignition switch in. Smaller than 4.5mm. I had to get creative and make a socket head out of a peice of spark plug.
But thanks again guys!!!
 
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