YACT: Is this normal for an 02 Pontiac Grand AM SE?

[Trikat]

I noticed it happening ever since I have driven it, but just wanted to confirm it now.
When I hit the brakes all the lights dim/flicker and by all the lights I mean the radio, door lights, all the lights on the instrument panel, and even the headlights. The radio might even become a bit more silent...
I think using the power windows will drain the power a bit...
Is this absolutely normal for a "modern" car or just a stupid design by Pontiac?

Almost any other modern car I know do not have an issue where the lights will flicker a bit when the brake are applied. My friend's old jeep doesn't do it and the 300ZX doesn't do it either.

O yea I don't know if it is relevant or not, but the alternator needed to be replaced at around 67,000 miles (Had fun with that when the car finally decided to shut of on me while driving thus losing power steering. Very annoying.) Even with the new alternator it still has the light flickering deal.
It was also previously a rental so probably not treated the best.
Anyways the cars that my family owned really haven't had the alternator die so early since they were Subarus and Nissans. Seems like Pontiac alternators or the electrical design sucks. Also I needed it to be fixed fast so I look it to AAA and they said I need a special $321 alternator + $100 for friggin labor. Complete B.S. and an utter rip off, but I wonder if these stupid Pontiacs really need an alternator that expensive...

 

[MikeMike]

it takes literally 30 minutes to install an alternator.

but yes, your new alt, may not have the power necessary when you are at lower RPM's and you hit the brakes (it uses electricity and stuff)

its probably the alternator.

 

[Vette73]

What engine do you have, the 2.2L 4cyl or 3.4L V6?


Either way it is pretty easy and the Alt shoudl be around $100-130 for the V6 and $150-200 for the 4cyl.

If I did the repair I would probable charge $60 for labor and round up the price of the alt so another $10 or so.


But if you have some basic tools you might be able to do it.

 

[Pastore]

Mike is right, it's the alternator. There are specialized battery/alternator places that will rewind your alt. for a lot less than $400. Take it to one of those places.

 

[Trikat]

Well it has been doing that flickering even with the old alternator. Even with the new alternator the car still does the flickering.
I'm not sure if it is the alternators fault at all or something else. I wonder if it even is a problem at all or just a bad design for the car.
I have the 3.4L V6.
I'm sure my roommates or other friends will beable to replace the alternator for me easily enough.

Anyone in these forums with an 02 Pontiac Grand Am V6?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Trikat
Well it has been doing that flickering even with the old alternator. Even with the new alternator the car still does the flickering.
I'm not sure if it is the alternators fault at all or something else. I wonder if it even is a problem at all or just a bad design for the car.
I have the 3.4L V6.
I'm sure my roommates or other friends will beable to replace the alternator for me easily enough.

Anyone in these forums with an 02 Pontiac Grand Am V6?

The 3.4L Alt is pretty cheap and you can go to advance/autozone and have the charging system tested with it on the car. If that looks bad then take it off and have them bench test it for free. That will tell you if it is a Alt problem or soemthing else.

 

[palindrome]

Damn it trikat, I told you its a bad ground.... (I'm his roommate btw)

 

[Trikat]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Trikat
Well it has been doing that flickering even with the old alternator. Even with the new alternator the car still does the flickering.
I'm not sure if it is the alternators fault at all or something else. I wonder if it even is a problem at all or just a bad design for the car.
I have the 3.4L V6.
I'm sure my roommates or other friends will beable to replace the alternator for me easily enough.

Anyone in these forums with an 02 Pontiac Grand Am V6?

The 3.4L Alt is pretty cheap and you can go to advance/autozone and have the charging system tested with it on the car. If that looks bad then take it off and have them bench test it for free. That will tell you if it is a Alt problem or soemthing else.

Thanks, I will keep that in mind this weekend or whenever I decide not to be lazy.

 

[DougK62]

That's not typical. It has nothing to do with a "stupid design" by Pontiac. If you hate Pontiacs so much then why did you buy a used rental that a million people have ragged on?

I'd first clean/check the grounding straps before doing work on the alternator - it's a free check that may help out. I've seen it do wonders for the electrical systems of older and high mileage cars.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: palindrome
Damn it trikat, I told you its a bad ground.... (I'm his roommate btw)

So you told him this and he still hasn't checked it out?

Sounds like we have a big dumbass on our hands here...

 

[Trikat]

Originally posted by: DougK62
That's not typical. It has nothing to do with a "stupid design" by Pontiac. If you hate Pontiacs so much then why did you buy a used rental that a million people have ragged on?

I'd first clean/check the grounding straps before doing work on the alternator - it's a free check that may help out. I've seen it do wonders for the electrical systems of older and high mileage cars.

Well I said stupid design, because right now it seems like perhaps it is normal for this car to do that. I think I read somewhere that the radio is supposed to quiet down a bit when power is needed elsewhere. I could be wrong.
I don't exactly hate Pontiacs that bad, but I also do not love them (exception of the GTO, great car).

 

[Trikat]

Originally posted by: DougK62

Originally posted by: palindrome
Damn it trikat, I told you its a bad ground.... (I'm his roommate btw)

So you told him this and he still hasn't checked it out?

Sounds like we have a big dumbass on our hands here...

... No offense, but Palindrome is just toying around. He never looked at my alternator before nor did he say anything about grounding.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: Trikat

Originally posted by: DougK62
That's not typical. It has nothing to do with a "stupid design" by Pontiac. If you hate Pontiacs so much then why did you buy a used rental that a million people have ragged on?

I'd first clean/check the grounding straps before doing work on the alternator - it's a free check that may help out. I've seen it do wonders for the electrical systems of older and high mileage cars.

Well I said stupid design, because right now it seems like perhaps it is normal for this car to do that. I think I read somewhere that the radio is supposed to quiet down a bit when power is needed elsewhere. I could be wrong.
I don't exactly hate Pontiacs that bad, but I also do not love them (exception of the GTO, great car).

"perhaps it is normal" and "I think I read somewhere"?

You didn't read anything, you're just wanting to rag on a Pontiac. They sold a TON of those Grand Ams from 99-05. They have their problems like any car, but your issue is not how the car normally operates. lol. It's just ridiculous to think that a car is going to come from the factory with an electrical system that takes a poop when you hit the brakes.

 

[Trikat]

Originally posted by: DougK62

Originally posted by: Trikat

Originally posted by: DougK62
That's not typical. It has nothing to do with a "stupid design" by Pontiac. If you hate Pontiacs so much then why did you buy a used rental that a million people have ragged on?

I'd first clean/check the grounding straps before doing work on the alternator - it's a free check that may help out. I've seen it do wonders for the electrical systems of older and high mileage cars.

Well I said stupid design, because right now it seems like perhaps it is normal for this car to do that. I think I read somewhere that the radio is supposed to quiet down a bit when power is needed elsewhere. I could be wrong.
I don't exactly hate Pontiacs that bad, but I also do not love them (exception of the GTO, great car).

"perhaps it is normal" and "I think I read somewhere"?

You didn't read anything, you're just wanting to rag on a Pontiac. They sold a TON of those Grand Ams from 99-05. They have their problems like any car, but your issue is not how the car normally operates. lol. It's just ridiculous to think that a car is going to come from the factory with an electrical system that takes a poop when you hit the brakes.

Wow just leave already. You came in with the attitude to bash me and you got "tricked" by Palindrome.
Then you go on to directly bash me and thread crap. Um ok...
The only thing I said is stupid design and because I said that you started gasping that I absolutely fvcking hate Pontiacs? Wait Pontiacs are American cars so that means I fvcking hate American piece of sh!t cars too?

If I say I absolutely frigging love the Pontiac's air vents that are circular and fun to play with does that make me love Pontiacs?

Common now Doug, you need some sense knocked into you.
And by the way it does not take a poop when I hit the brakes. It just flickers the lights. And because it does this I wanted to see if it is 1) normal 2) something electrical -> alternator?
And if it is normal then won't it affect the alternator's lifespan?

 

[tfinch2]

Replacing an alternator on a 3.4V6 is quite trivial. Pull it off and take it to your local parts store and have it tested. If it doesn't pass, buy a new one.

 

[palindrome]

Originally posted by: DougK62

Originally posted by: palindrome
Damn it trikat, I told you its a bad ground.... (I'm his roommate btw)

So you told him this and he still hasn't checked it out?

Sounds like we have a big dumbass on our hands here...

Okay, dude. Just chill for a sec. Before you go a pretend you know us or our cars, think before you speak. Yes, I mentioned the grounding problem to Trikat. But you also must consider that I'm not a mechanic, nor am I very technically inclined when it comes to car repair. So, before you go bashing Trikat about his taste in cars, keep in mind that you DONT know everything. All Trikat is trying to do is see if someone on here had the exact same problem and if there is a definite fix, rather than trial and error on possible solutions. Please sir, save your insults and thread crapping for another thread. Also, I know what your thinking right now and no, nobody is as perfect as you are DougK62.

 

[huberm]

I have an 04 Grand Am w/ the 3.4L V6, and mine does the same thing. It is only slightly noticeable if you pay really close attention. IMO I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[jagec]

You know, I'd take a look at the battery. 4 years is a little short for your original battery to be dying, but the symptoms make me think it might be a problem.

I don't understand how it would be the alternator. Even if the alternator stops working entirely, the lights and such would still operate, without dimming, until the battery starts losing charge and can't support that sort of drain. And if the alternator is just a little flakey, a good battery ought to be able to even out the power output and once again maintain a steady power level, even when the brake lights go on.

 

[Trikat]

Ah thanks for the info huberm as it seems like it is the norm on these cars now. More user reporting their experiences would strength mine/our suspicion. I notice it all the time during the evenings/nights since it will flicker just a bit.
As for jagec, I at first though the electronic failures were due to a failing battery so I got that changed. It did not fix the problems (including the flickering) and soon later the car shut down while I was driving. That was the last straw so I replaced the alternator. The alternator change fixed the numerous electronic problems, but the flickering was still there.
It might be slightly important, but the battery is a Duralast. Even if it isn't top grade it should be sufficient enough for a daily driver. I also do not really run the A/C all that often unless it really does get hot or if I need to defrost the windows. I'd rather sweat it out just a bit before turning on the A/C.

O well thx for all the replies guys. I'll probably call up Pontiac and see if there is any problem with it flicking. I'm just thinking perhaps the power distribution design is putting uneccessary strain on the alternator.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Trikat
As for jagec, I at first though the electronic failures were due to a failing battery so I got that changed. It did not fix the problems (including the flickering) and soon later the car shut down while I was driving. That was the last straw so I replaced the alternator. The alternator change fixed the numerous electronic problems, but the flickering was still there.
It might be slightly important, but the battery is a Duralast. Even if it isn't top grade it should be sufficient enough for a daily driver.

Yeah, fair enough. I'm guessing loose connection somewhere...something that has low enough impedance to run most of your accessories, but not low enough to pass the extra current to power the brake lights as well.