Top 10 1997 Pontiac Grand Am Questions & Answers

There is an under-hood fuse box that houses several relays and fuses. The box is located under the hood near the battery. It has a cover over it, but isn't very big -- maybe 3" by 8". The ERLS fuse covers the automatic transmission (as well as the backup lights, canister purge valve, canister vent solenoid, EGR valve, ABS, variable-effort power steering, and AC compressor). The fuse is a 20A mini-fuse. It should be yellow.

I have had the same problem with my daughter's car. She inadvertnetly left the key in the on position and the battery went dead. Apparently an electrical current is neded to withdraw the key. I put a battery charger on the car for several hours and everything worked fine after that.

It is probably the sensor before the cat. if it has a heater. The heater circuit going bad is a common problem, it does not affect the way the car runs after it warms up, it is an emission device to heat the O2 sensor up quicker than the hot exhaust gas would. It should be replaced because it will keep your check engine light on and you would not be able to pass an emission test.

• Ignition Removal Instructions
  
• Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in Engine Electrical.

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• Remove the upper and lower shrouds. Refer to Steering Column Trim Covers - Disassemble - Off Vehicle or Steering Column Trim Covers - Disassemble - Off Vehicle .

• Put the key in the steering column lock cylinder set (1).

• Turn the key to the "START" position.

• Install a 1/16 allen wrench (2) into the hole on top of the lock module assembly in order to release the steering column lock cylinderset retaining pin.

• Turn the steering column lock cylinder set (1) into the "RUN" position.

• Pull the steering column lock cylinder set (1) out from the lock module assembly.

• Remove the key from the steering column lock cylinder set (1).
  

• Installation Instructions

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• Insert the key into the steering column lock cylinder set (1).
• LIne up the locking tab (2) and the positioning tab (3) of the steering column lock cylinder set with the locking tab slot (5) and the positioning tab slot (4) in the lock module assembly (6).
• Push the steering column lock cylinder set (1) into the lock module assembly (6).
• Rotate the steering column lock cylinder set (1) in the lock module assembly (6) into all positions.
• Install the upper and lower shrouds. Refer to Steering Column Trim Covers - Assemble - Off Vehicle or Steering Column Trim Covers - Assemble - Off Vehicle
• Remove the ignition key from the lock cylinder set (1).
• Connect the negative battery cable to the battery. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in Engine Electrical

I hope this helps and good luck.
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2.4L Engine
See Figure 3

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Drain and recycle the engine coolant.
3. Disconnect the oxygen sensor wiring.
4. Remove the upper exhaust manifold heat shield.
5. Raise and safely support the front end of the vehicle securely on jackstands.
6. Remove the exhaust manifold brace bolt.
7. Unbolt and remove the lower exhaust manifold heat shield.
8. Break loose the manifold-to-exhaust pipe spring loaded nuts.
9. Unbolt the radiator outlet pipe assembly from the water pump cover.
10. Disconnect the exhaust pipe from the manifold.
11. Pull down and back on the exhaust pipe to disengage it from the exhaust manifold bolts.

Do not rotate the flex coupling more than 4°. this could damage the component.

1. Separate the radiator outlet pipe from the oil pan and transaxle.
   1. On manual transaxle, remove the exhaust manifold brace.
   
   
2. Next, leave the lower radiator hose attached and pull down on the outlet pipe to detach it from the water pump. Allow the outlet pipe to hang.
3. Lower the vehicle.
4. Remove the exhaust manifold-to-cylinder head nuts.
5. Extract the manifold, seals and gaskets.
6. Remove the timing chain cover. Refer to the procedure later on in this section.
7. Remove the timing chain tensioner. Refer to Timing Chain removal later in this section.
8. Unbolt the water pump from the cylinder block.
9. Extract the pump assembly-to-timing chain housing nuts.
10. Remove the water pump and cover assembly.
11. Separate the pump from the cover.
12. Clean all mating surfaces of gaskets and sealant materials.

To install:
Prior to installing the water pump, read the entire procedure. Pay special attention to the tightening sequence to avoid component damage and ensure a proper seal.

1. Attach the water pump to the cover and hand-tighten the components.
2. Lubricate the splines of the water pump drive with chassis grease or equivalent, then install the pump and cover assembly. Hand tighten the cover-to-block bolts.
3. Install the pump-to-chain housing nuts and hand-tighten.
4. Lubricate the O-ring on the radiator outlet pipe with an anti-freeze solution and slide the pipe into the water pump cover, install and hand-tighten the bolts.
5. With the specified gaps, tighten in sequence as follows:
   1. Pump assembly-to-chain housing nuts
   2. Pump cover-to-pump assembly
   3. Cover-to-block, bottom bolt first
   4. Radiator outlet pipe assembly-to-cover
   
   
6. Install the exhaust manifold using new gaskets.
7. Install the manifold-to-cylinder head nuts, follow the tightening sequence and tighten to specifications.
8. Raise and support the front of the vehicle.
9. Index the exhaust manifold-to-exhaust pipe flange bolts.
   1. Turn bolt bolts in evenly to avoid cocking the exhaust pipe and binding the bolts. Turn the bolts in until they are fully seated.
   
   
10. Install and secure the radiator outlet pipe to the transaxle and oil pan.

On manual transaxles, install the exhaust manifold brace.

1. Install the timing chain tensioner and chain cover.
2. Attach the lower heat shield.
3. Lower the vehicle.
4. Attach the exhaust manifold brace. Tighten the manifold-to-exhaust pipe nuts to specification.
5. Attach and secure the upper heat shield.
6. Connect the oxygen sensor wiring.
7. Fill the radiator with coolant water mixture until it reaches the heater hose coolant outlet, then install the hose and continue to fill. This will assist with the complete cylinder block fill.
8. Connect the negative battery cable.
9. Start the engine and top off the cooling system and check for leaks.

in order to replace the fuel pump u must remove the fule tank from the car, it is held in place by 2 steel straps, remove those straps with a jack under the tank, drop the tank down just far enough to reach the fuel lines and wiring connectors, disconnect all that, then drop tank out and with caution remove the ring retaining the fuel pump module inside the tank.

Very Very Common GM Problem.
It is called a PassLock 2 system.

You can reset the computer yourself very easily.

Turn key to ON position (do NOT start). Leave in ON position for EXACTLY 10 MINUTES. As SOON as the anti-theft light quits flashing, and turns off, then IMMEDIATELY start the car.

That''s it!

You can do this everytime and it will work.

They do sell a passlock 2 bypass kit very affordable online that you can install but you won't have anti-theft but you won't have the problem either.

For the 1997 Pontiac Grand Am:
I do not know if you have the 2.4L DOHC In-Line 4-Cylinder or the 3.1L V6. However I have included both below. I suspect based on the SE Model you have the 3.1L V6.

For the 2.4L DOHC In-Line 4-Cylinder:
Firing Order:
1-3-4-2
Cylinders:
..........(back).........
|...1....2....3....4...|
..........(front)

For the 3.1L V6:
Firing Order:
1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinders:
......(back)........
|...1....3....5...|
_____________
|...2....4....6...|
......(front)
Ignition Coil Connections
_____..____...____
|..O..|..|..O..|..|..O..|
|.5..2|..|.3..6|..|.4..1|

Let me know if this helped.....

LOOK INSIDE THE MASTER CYLINDER TAKE COVER OFF THERE IS TWO SECTIONS THE LARGER ONE IS FOR THE FRONT WHEELS AND SMALLER IS FOR REAR WHEELS YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRACE LINES FROM THERE

If you're replacing the spark plugs in your car engine, you'll need to set the gap before reseating the spark plug. The gap is the distance electricity arcs between the ground electrode and center electrode. The gap must be set correctly to ensure maximum performance. Here's how to set the gap of a spark plug.

1. Remove the spark plug wires. Use a socket wrench to remove the spark plugs from their chambers.
   
2. Clean the spark plug if you are not replacing it with a new one. Remove all dirt and debris from the spark plug.
   
3. Check the owner's manual for your car (or any appliance with spark plugs) to find out the recommended gap setting.
   
4. Use a gap tool to check the gap of the spark plug. Slip the tool between the ground electrode and center electrode. The gap tool should fit snugly at the recommended gap width indicated on the tool.
   
5. Push the tool between the electrodes a few times to ensure proper gap. If the gap is too wide, push the ground electrode firmly against a flat surface to narrow the gap and then check again with the gap tool.
   
6. Repeat Step 5 as necessary until you reach the correct gap. Reseat the spark plug and reattach the spark plug wires
   

Good Luck