94' Pontiac grandam GT(manual transmission)

1994 PONTIAC
Avatar
SINDEL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi, the other day while I was waiting at a redlight my car died. Now I didnt even realize it had died cuz the music was going, my husband and I were talking etc.. So I had figured I stalled it and tried to restart. Well it wouldnt do anything. It didnt try to turn over or anything. The battery light came on and another check engine light. We called a mechanic and it was suggested to us that it was the starter.. So we replaced the starter and we ended up killing the battery trying to get it started. We decided to try a new battery. Nothing works. The car worked fine before that. Starts up everytime and now all of a sudden out of the blue it just dies while running. The mechanic thinks it might be the alternator now. The car wont jump start and just makes a loud clicking noise when you try to start it. The only things that happened before it died was everyonce in awhile when you were driving you could smell burning plastic or something like wiring maybe. And theres been a couple times that while running the dash would kinda surge and the lights would dim and return to normal. Now that does sound like the alternator but wouldnt it still jumpstart? We really dont want to keep dumping money into this car getting all sorts of parts we dont need.Anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to what the problem could be?
Jan 12, 2006 at 6:54 AM
Advertisement

What to check next

Diagnostic guidance. Suggested checks and possible repairs are separate from the owner's reported results.

Have the reported mechanical lockup and its cause verified before authorizing another starting-system part or engine repair.

Guidance references and applicability

Source: Original question and visible replies. Owner outcomes are attributed; other participants' experiences are not treated as this owner's repair. Next steps are editorial guidance, not a confirmed diagnosis.

Read the replies · Discussion summary and reported outcome

Avatar
2CARPRO JACK
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 11,533 POSTS
Sounds like the alt
Jan 12, 2006 at 9:44 AM
Avatar
SINDEL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
well apparently the engine is seized. thx 4 the reply.
Jan 12, 2006 at 9:57 AM

Discussion summary

94' Pontiac grandam GT(manual transmission)

A 1994 Grand Am GT with a manual transmission stalled and then would not crank normally. Starter and battery replacement did not restore starting. The owner subsequently reported that the engine was seized.

Reported outcome: The original owner's final update stated that the engine was seized; no completed repair was reported.

The discussion did not show how seizure was established or what caused it. Earlier alternator suggestions were not confirmed.

Read the original discussion

Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle