2002 Pontiac Grand Am Won't Start

2002 ALL OTHER MAKES ALL OTHER MODELS

SNOMAIDN

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1 POST

I have a 02 Grand Am 57,000 miles, my car does not ever start, I have to jump it every time I want to drive it. I put a new battery in it in August. Tonight while I was driving my radio all of the sudden turned off and then turned back on. I am really broke right now and am trying to figure out what it could possibly be for when I bring it in to get fixed.

thanks,
Jennifer

Jan 21, 2007 at 2:21 PM

CARUNDELL

✓Experienced Mechanic
602 POSTS

[quote:d94462b7a7="snomaidn"]I have a 02 Grand Am 57,000 miles, my car does not ever start, I have to jump it every time I want to drive it. I put a new battery in it in August. Tonight while I was driving my radio all of the sudden turned off and then turned back on. I am really broke right now and am trying to figure out what it could possibly be for when I bring it in to get fixed.

thanks,
Jennifer[/quote:d94462b7a7]

Hey jennifer!
Your first issue sounds like something is staying on and draining the battery down (parasitic draw) and needs to be diagnosed by someone with some electrical experience. But ....though i don't recommend this ....but if $$$ are really tight ....then you may want to consider disconnecting the battery when your done driving and reconnecting it when you need to. Constantly draining the battery can damage it permanently. i also wouldn't worry too much about the radio right now as the battery issue should be the priority! Let us know!!

Chris

p.s. some things you may be able to check yourself is the glove box light, trunk light or any dome light staying on, killing the battery

Jan 22, 2007 at 1:07 AM

Suggested Repair

Diagnose a parasitic battery drain, including glove box, trunk, and dome lights that may stay on. If money is tight, disconnect the battery after driving and reconnect it before starting, since repeated drain can damage the battery. Treat the brief radio shutoff as secondary until the drain is found.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 2002 Grand Am with 57,000 miles must jump-start the car every time despite installing a new battery in August. While driving, the radio briefly shut off and then came back on. The expert says a parasitic draw is the likely cause and should be diagnosed by someone with electrical experience. As a temporary money-saving step, the battery can be disconnected after driving, and the owner can check whether the glove box, trunk, or dome lights stay on. The radio issue is not the priority.

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2002 Pontiac Grand Am Won't Start

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