2001 Grand Am Problem. Doesnt accelerate right. Need help please.

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Jun 16th, 2015 2:53 pm

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Jun 15th, 2015 1:42 pm

deliverer [OP]: Newbie; Jun 14, 2015; 3 posts

Jun 15th, 2015 1:42 pm

2001 Grand Am Problem. Doesnt accelerate right. Need help please.

Hey everyone. I own a 2001 Grand AM 2.4L V4. Its automatic.

Problem

When I accelerate from a stand still. The car feels like it struggles to start going. Once I go faster, there isn't an issue. Its happened twice now where the car just completely shuts off when I tried to accelerate except the electronics of the car still work. Just the engine turns off and I need to turn the engine on again to start moving. Usually when this happens, it sort of fixes the acceleration problem for the time being but maybe the next day or later in the day I'll have issue again. Its been happening for the past 2 weeks. Yesterday I noticed when I was in a complete stop at a red light with the AC on, my car started to shake a bit. When I turned the AC off, it stopped shaking. Not sure if these are connected or not. Just wanted to double check.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

9 replies

Jun 15th, 2015 4:02 pm

Pete_Coach: Deal Expert; May 10, 2005; 36847 posts; 11271 upvotes; Ottawa

Jun 15th, 2015 4:02 pm

You could have any number of problems starting with to a fuel issue to an air issue to an electrical/ignition problem and anything in between. Too difficult to do an internet diagnosis.
Also, you have an I4 (inline vs V)

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Jun 15th, 2015 4:28 pm

us3r: Deal Addict; Mar 7, 2011; 1289 posts; 162 upvotes; Toronto

Jun 15th, 2015 4:28 pm

Electrical/ignition problems most likely. Very common on Pontiacs.

Jun 15th, 2015 6:04 pm

deliverer [OP]: Newbie; Jun 14, 2015; 3 posts

Jun 15th, 2015 6:04 pm

us3r wrote: ↑Electrical/ignition problems most likely. Very common on Pontiacs.

I think someone said its the transmission or ETS. I forgot to mention one time my ETS warning popped up saying your tracking is off and normally I just click the button and ETS turns back on but this time it wouldn't. Also a check engine soon warning popped up too another time. Forgot to mention these. All this happened this past week. I reset the car and these warnings are all gone. Is it a easy fix if its a Electrical/ignition problem? Is it cheap to get it fixed at a mechanic or can I do it myself. I have some experience.

Thanks

Jun 15th, 2015 6:17 pm

tmkf_patryk: Deal Addict; Dec 27, 2007; 4800 posts; 2000 upvotes; Edmonton

Jun 15th, 2015 6:17 pm

I would definitely do it myself.
Might be handy to scan the codes. I have a tech 2 (its very expensive) plug it in and see whats going on.

Most likely fuel/air issue. Thst be first guess. Second guess electrical

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Jun 15th, 2015 6:51 pm

angry-trucker: Banned; Jul 24, 2009; 834 posts; 577 upvotes; kitchener

Jun 15th, 2015 6:51 pm

deliverer wrote: ↑Hey everyone. I own a 2001 Grand AM 2.4L V4. Its automatic.

Problem

When I accelerate from a stand still. The car feels like it struggles to start going. Once I go faster, there isn't an issue. Its happened twice now where the car just completely shuts off when I tried to accelerate except the electronics of the car still work. Just the engine turns off and I need to turn the engine on again to start moving. Usually when this happens, it sort of fixes the acceleration problem for the time being but maybe the next day or later in the day I'll have issue again. Its been happening for the past 2 weeks. Yesterday I noticed when I was in a complete stop at a red light with the AC on, my car started to shake a bit. When I turned the AC off, it stopped shaking. Not sure if these are connected or not. Just wanted to double check.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Sounds like either electrical or transmission related....but could be also fuel system.
Try the simple stuff first:
Pop the hood open and see if there are any lose wires...check the terminals on the battery and check the ground wires.
When was the last time you changed the fuel filter?
Check the fluid level in your tranny...follow the owners manual procedure, as you might have to check it when idling either in neutral. or park.
Either way make sure you warm it up first and drive the car for at least 10-20 kilometers.
Check for obstructions in the air intake and check the filter (although unlikely the culprit here)
When was the last time you changed and gaped the spark plugs and wires?
Sure wouldn't hurt to run a bottle of injector cleaner through...try Seafoam.

Jun 15th, 2015 7:44 pm

antigua1999: Deal Fanatic; Jun 11, 2005; 8633 posts; 2398 upvotes; Mississauga

Jun 15th, 2015 7:44 pm

deliverer wrote: ↑I think someone said its the transmission or ETS. I forgot to mention one time my ETS warning popped up saying your tracking is off and normally I just click the button and ETS turns back on but this time it wouldn't. Also a check engine soon warning popped up too another time. Forgot to mention these. All this happened this past week. I reset the car and these warnings are all gone. Is it a easy fix if its a Electrical/ignition problem? Is it cheap to get it fixed at a mechanic or can I do it myself. I have some experience.

Thanks

What was the code on the check engine light?

Jun 16th, 2015 8:46 am

DJ_Peanuts22: Deal Expert; Feb 26, 2004; 26998 posts; 4335 upvotes

Jun 16th, 2015 8:46 am

deliverer wrote: ↑Hey everyone. I own a 2001 Grand AM 2.4L V4.

There's your problem. V4 doesn't exist.

Jun 16th, 2015 2:27 pm

deliverer [OP]: Newbie; Jun 14, 2015; 3 posts

Jun 16th, 2015 2:27 pm

antigua1999 wrote: ↑What was the code on the check engine light?

It says "TRAC OFF" and "CHECK ENGINE SOON"

I'm not to sure if this is related to my problem but for the past year, if I accelerate too fast, my car always jitters I think once it gets to the next gear. The faster I accelerate, the bigger the jitter is. I never really looked into it too much because I stopped accelerating quickly. I do a slow steady acceleration now and I don't really get that problem.

Jun 16th, 2015 2:53 pm

antigua1999: Deal Fanatic; Jun 11, 2005; 8633 posts; 2398 upvotes; Mississauga

Jun 16th, 2015 2:53 pm

Have you checked the transmission fluid level. If it's low it could cause your issue. Also check if the transmission fluid is red and smell to see if it has a burning smell.

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