20th Feb 2007, 23:07

Do you think the lubrication place screwed up there?

Seriously, there is any chance that just by changing the transmission fluid (with pan) the lubrication place might have caused all that problem in my transmission, to point of transmission failure?

Because if they did that I'll make them pay every cents, even if I have to take them to court.

21st Feb 2007, 16:41

"So what should I do? I am a girl and know nothing about cars."

Oh my, you poor girl! Yes, the lubrication place surely screwed up your transmission. That's too big a coincidence that they worked on it, and it died a few days later. No doubt, unless there is a giant hole in the pan from a rock. They probably didn't tighten the pan correctly (there is a correct sequence of bolt tightening that should be followed, and the bolts must be tightened to the correct torque reading). Never have some "quick lube" place touch your car. These guys are grease monkeys who are working there because they failed out of tech school, can't get ASE certified, or can't get jobs at a dealership. Mistake No. 1 was allowing them to talk you into doing this work.

There's another thing -- you have to stop being a victim. These unscrupulous people are ripping you off over and over because you have this big virtual sign that says "I am a girl and know nothing about cars." You need to learn something, or you will keep getting ripped off the rest of your life. Buy a Haynes Manual or Chilton's Manual for your Pontiac and start reading, so next time you walk into a service department, it won't be like screaming "Please rip me off because I am clueless!!"

As far as what to do, the immediate concern is getting your car fixed. If the car is at the dealership, have them redo what the lube place said they did. Try taking the lube place to small claims court and sue them for the cost of their original bill, plus the cost of the dealership to fix it. As far as the previous problem with the engine, it was a waste of money to replace the engine. The warranty is also a waste of money, sounds like a clip joint.

24th Apr 2007, 19:32

Why did they have to remove the pan for ATF change? When I had 99 GP GT they changed the fluid with a machine without taking off the pan or even lifting the car. There are connectors on the passenger side next to radiator for the flush machine. Or they were on 3800 SII.

7th May 2007, 14:22

Its because of the fact that they aren't mechanics you should never let one of those lube places do anything, but the oil, filter and lube. Sometimes they are so handy they don't even get the filter on right and it leaks.

7th Jun 2007, 20:39

We have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am SE and it is the worst car on the face of the earth. My husband is meticulous about changing the oil and having a tune up every 3000 miles.

First the transmission started thumping when shifting, we had the solenoid changed... still thumping!!! IT'S JUST A HORRIBLE CAR!!!

I agree with the other person... DON'T BUY AMERICAN.

Now the check engine lights and every other light comes on...it's like a Christmas tree inside this car!

6th Jul 2007, 22:00

Another 2001 Grand Piece SE owner here. Have had the Piece 3 years now and it's problem after problem. First the AC went, then the passenger side puddle problem started, then the transmission started chugging, then the check engine light is a permanent fixture on the dash. Pretty much fed up at this point. I have had GM before, the 97 Sunfire is recomended or how about an 87 Cavlier, both cars are a dream in compairison. I'm not sure what the designers of 2001 were thinking, but it goes back to the old saying if it isn't broke don't fix it. I personally will never purchase a GM product again. Alex - Edmonton.

3rd Aug 2007, 06:43

I own a 2001 Grand Prix SE, bought used 2 yrs ago. over 220,000km on her. You sure did get ripped. I can tell you for a fact the noise in your engine that goes away when it warms up is the A/C. The check engine light situation, just read your owners manual. It will tell you all kinds of little things you can do yourself, very easily, to find the problem. Example: check or replace gas cap, clean or change air filter, change spark plugs, ect.. If all that fails to get the light to go out take it to the shop and ask that they hook your car up to the scanner. This will give a code which will tell you exactly what is wrong with your car. All the check engine light has to do with is the emissions system. If you fail to correct it, it'll eventually make your car suck fuel like theres no tomorrow...

I agree that lube shop buggered your tranny. I don't believe you need a new one though or even need to have it removed from your car. The pan may not have been torqued properly, or the gasket not in place right. It could also be a cooling problem, your tranny oil is not cooling properly. Radiators have a tank on each side, and inside the tank is a transmission cooler. There an inlet and outlet where the oil from the transmission enters the cooler. The transmission cooler is like a radiator within a radiator, except instead of exchanging heat with the air, the oil exchanges heat with the coolant in the radiator. Thus cooling the tranny oil. Buy a shop manual, google your car problems. NEVER go to a garage and let on that you're not mechanically inclined. To them you're a giant dollar sign. Research a little first.

10th Sep 2007, 11:01

It seems like the Grand Prix with the 3.1 v6 is the more troublesome one. Supposedly, the 3.8L v6 is better.

Except for the intake manifold problem on the 3.8L.

I hope they fixed that, because it was a problem in the '90s.

14th Dec 2007, 12:32

2001 Grand Prix SE, 3.1 v6, 103,000 miles.

Columbus, Ga...

Have had the car 5 years, transmission started acting up about 3 years ago. After it warms up, the tranny starts to shift hard. I mean HARD. Suppose to be electronic valve body, about $650 to change. whatever, it will go with the car in about 2 more years when we trade it in.

The back windows have already had regulators changed. Seems that the junk just falls apart, leaving your windows down. Funny part is, the passenger and driver windows are rolled down 10 times as much, and work fine. Go figure.

This is why I just bought my Tacoma. Built in Alabama, should last at least 15 years.