2005 Pontiac Grand Am Just Shuts off while driving...

I have just read about 8 pages regarding the grand am problems and also the passlock problem. I am still confused on what may be wrong with mine. I have an 05 grand am and yesterday it just shut off on the highway while I was driving for no apparent reason, and now it won't start. It seems like it wants to turn over but it just isn't completely doing it. Also right before the car shuts off it slows down and all the lights on the dash go on randomly. Just about 3 months ago the same thing happened and we changed the fuel pump regulator and it started right up. I guess I could start with doing that again to see if it will start now, but I am more concerned that if it does start up why did the fuel pump regulator go out so fast or maybe that isnt even the problem....not sure, but today I tried the whole turning the key and doing the 10 min wait thing, but that didn't work for me, so i still am unsure if it is that passlock problem possibly. I just don't know what else to tr and my car still hasnt started since it shut off yesterday...any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Sounds like you have a battery issue.

Check your cables and make sure they are clean and tight.
Also test your battery, should be at least 12.4v up to 13.5v. With the car running it should read 13.5+ volts.

hope that helps and welcome to AF.

ps- isnt this -05 still under warranty ?

The battery is brand new and we checked all cables, nothing we can find. No its not under warranty because I have 90k miles on it. A lot of highway miles from work....I wonder if we should just go ahead and change the fuel pressure regulator again to see if it works like last time. I just don't know why it would go out in a matter of 3 months. I just dont get it cause the car just automatically shut itself down while I was driving, I'm wondering if it is something electrical?

One more thing I just thought about, if it was the battery connections wouldn't the car not get any power at all? When I turn the key it wants to turn over it just doesnt completely do it, almost like its not getting fuel. But all lights still turn on.

Getting fuel or not would NOT change the conditions of the car cranking over.

If the battery and connections are good, then I'd get the starter tested, could have a bad soleniod.

Also I doubt your original fuel pressure reg was bad being such a new car. Unless you burn ethanol...... :eek:

Also it wouldnt hurt to get it scanned with a higher end scan tool to see if anythings popping up.

one last thing you might go through your fuses and make sure they are all good.

So I just called the nearest dearler and its gonna cost 60 just to get it towed there and another 100 just to get it scanned, then once we know whats wrong it will cost another 60 to get it towed back here, unless I have them fix it. Anyone know any alternate routes of getting the vehicle scanned? Dont' they have people that come out to your location?? Just wondering, thanks...

They dont call it the stealership for nothing. :shakehead

Unfortunately thier's no other way to read the codes.
Plus if they came to your house, they would probly double that price. :eek:

Some smaller shops can scan your car too and probly cheaper, but they can't read all codes, especialy if the passlock is the problem.

Good Luck

OK so, I just got a call from the dealer and they scanned it and they are saying it needs a new fuel pump. For some reason I don't think this is right. The car was running on the highway when it shut down out of no where, could this even happen if it were the fuel pump that was bad??? Also, anyone out there ever changed a fuel pump on an 05 grand am?? We are going to attempt to do it, and any info would help. Thanks!

Since this last happend do you hear the pump run when the key is turned to "ON" ??

Sounds funny to me that a 2 year old fuel pump would die but I guess anything is possible.
One thing the younger models have trouble with is the wire harness to the fuel pump, right when it bends up to the top of the tank.

It's not realy hard to swap it out, problem is it most likly has plenty of gas in the tank, so you'd have to drain/syphon it down a little.
-You can drain it slowly Via the fuel line on the fuel filter. ;)

Removing gas tank - Replacing Fuel pump....

- Disconnect battery and releave fuel pressure.
- You need jack stands to support the rear of the car .
- Then you need to lower the exhaust support bolts and that rubber insulator, and possibly the heat shield(s).

- Disconnect the fuel pump connecter from the body connector. Disconnect the fuel lines.
- Disconnect the Evap hose(small hose going from tank to black box[evap] by filter area).
- Then use a trans jack or a floor jack with a large piece of wood on the jack head- between the tank, this will help keep it balanced and wont dent the tank.
-Loosen the the two bolts holding the two tank straps and swing the straps forward. They are to the rear of the tank, close to the fuel filter.

-Lower that tank and pull out , pass side might be easier..
- Then disconnect the various plug ins on top of the fuel pump assbly.
- You will need a snap ring pliers to get the ring off that holds the pump assembly in. Then you just pull it out gently, and to an angle, so you dont break you level float.

- Then its just a matter of removing the pump and attaching the new parts.
- Then just reverse to install.
I do recommend replacing the screen that's on the pump. I also recommend emptying the tank out and maybe rise with fresh fuel to prevent problems in the near future.

the same thing happened to my 2002 but i have fuel at the fuel rail and hear the pump prime what could it be then