Questions and Answers
Pontiac Grand AM Lights And Struts
Q. Hi, my name is Dallas and I have a few problems I was wondering if you could help me with. I own a 1992 Pontiac Grand AM SE, 2.3 liter Quad 4, 4 speed automatic transmission, Fuel Injected. 138,000 miles. VIN code 3. ABS brakes, P/S, A/C, Cruise, Rack & Pinion Steering.
The first problem is of an electrical nature. The SES light, low coolant light and coolant fan come on at startup and stay on. The coolant level is fine and it doesn't seem to be losing any antifreeze. If I remove the fuse for the gauges the low coolant light goes and stays out even upon reinsertion but as soon as I restart the car it comes back on and stays on. I have used a scan tool on the diag connector and it comes up as a code 41 (whatever this code is). I don't know if this code has to do with the above problem or if it a completely different matter. Can a faulty battery cause the above problems due to lack of current (yes, I have heard this)? I went out this morning and my battery was dead.
The second is a suspension question. If, when traveling down the road at any speed greater than 5 mph, I hit a pothole or any bump in the road surface I hear a loud thump from the passenger side front suspension. I have replaced the ball joint to no avail. I put the car on a hydraulic jack and placed a bar under the tire and raised the bar in a quick motion as to mimic a bump and get the same noise. The noise seems to be coming from the strut assembly center. Is it possible that the strut is broken in the center or that the air has leaked enough to make it bottom out. If have tried a low frequency test such as pushing down on the bumper and no noise can be heard from the suspension. I am lost.
A. Okay, Code 41 indicates a malfunction in the 1X Reference Circuit which involves the ignition module, ECM and the wiring between the two.
The first thing I would do is to have the charging system checked. Low voltage could cause the problems you are having. Especially if the diode pack inside the alternator is bad. The fact that the battery died would make me lean even more in this direction.
The noise you are hearing is, quite possibly, coming from the strut assembly. When the struts go bad they will make the noise you describe going over a bump. I would replace both front struts and that should take care of the problem.
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