1999 Pontiac Grand Am Hesitation Misfire

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DON HIBNER
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  • 4 POSTS
I have a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am that my daughter took to college. Lately, there have been problems with surging and hesitation/misfiring. It started happening at highway speeds after the car was driven for an hour or so. She would try to accelerate and the car would misfire and surge. the service engine light would come on. After the engine was cool again, it would run ok in regular traffic and the light went off. Now the light is on constantly and the car is running horrible under acceleration in any circumstance. I suspected the fuel pump, but have not attempted to replace it yet. I also am wondering about the fuel filter and injectors or some sensor or the coil housing. The plugs were changed about 6,000 miles ago and the oil is chanced regularly. I have also replaced the O2 sensor located in the lower area of the exhaust system by the firewall. I understand there are 2 of them, is this a potential problem as well? I don't want to chase ghosts and have little experience with this vehicle. I have spoken to a mechanic, but have gotten several possible causes, mostly what I suspected to begin with. Where would you suggest I begin dealing with this problem? She is going back to school 200 miles away in a couple weeks, and I need to get this fixed. Thanks for any help you can offer.[/b]
Dec 26, 2006 at 4:48 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,123 POSTS
Don, You're hard to keep up with :)

If you haven't read this on the other posts, I have found the coil housing to be a common cause of misfires on these. Change the plug boots at the same time. ( I prefer the NAPA with the lifetime warranty.) Have you had the codes checked?

I would strongly reccommend a fuel filter if it hasn't had one in the last 30,000, but we are speculating :)
Dec 26, 2006 at 10:55 AM

Suggested Repair

Have the diagnostic codes checked, replace the coil housing and plug boots, and replace the fuel filter if it has not been changed in the last 30,000 miles.

Conversation Summary

A 1999 Pontiac Grand Am developed surging, hesitation, and misfires, first after extended highway driving and later under any acceleration, with the service engine light now staying on. The owner had recently replaced the plugs and one oxygen sensor and suspected the fuel pump, filter, injectors, a sensor, or coil housing. The expert identified the coil housing as a common misfire cause, recommended replacing the plug boots and checking codes, and suggested a fuel filter if it is overdue.

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