Charging system not working?

SHERRONL

MEMBER
2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
200,000 MILES

Charging system not working? Really hard looks very small amounts of fluid it looks like oil but not really sure.

Friday, November 8th, 2024 AT 4:39 AM

6 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,573 POSTS

If your question is "What made the light come on" You need to use a scan tool to read the codes from the PCM or go to a parts store that offers free scans and see what the code numbers are and those may give you an idea of what to look at to find the problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

There are hundreds of items that can set codes, the coolant smell may be related but it may not be. The first step is getting the codes.
Being this is a 2001 you don't need to get a really high-end tool either, the $20 HT100 that Wal-Mart sells should be able to pull the codes or if you want a tool that has lifetime free updates and a few more features they also have the Autel AL319 for about $40.00.

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Friday, November 8th, 2024 AT 5:19 AM

SHERRONL

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Okay, thank you. I was scared something catastrophic was wrong even though it has the service engine soon light on I was still nervous about it. Thank you for your help.

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Friday, November 8th, 2024 AT 6:54 AM

SHERRONL

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Just found out it was the intake gasket that needs to be changed and I also will need a new radiator after a while so I'm going to go ahead and do the gasket first and then in a week or two get a new radiator I hope this solves everything it's a very good reliable car I keep up on the maintenance so hopefully it'll last me a lot longer.

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Friday, November 8th, 2024 AT 11:56 AM

STEVE W.