'98 Pontiac shaking and service engine soon light blinking, car shutting off.

Asked by Maddalena Nov 22, 2014 at 01:52 PM about the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix 4 Dr GTP Supercharged Sedan

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I recently bought a '98 Pontiac Grand Prix. It's given me trouble since I bought it. It has
over 200,000 miles on it. I realise now it was not a good idea, but I just needed a cheap
car for 6 months. It's been anything but cheap.

I've had to change the radiator, hoses, thermostat, water pump, engine filter (?), spark
plugs, EGR valve and it recently had a transmission change (allegedly, this is what the
arsehole who sold it to me told me). Now the 'check engine soon' light has started
blinking, the car is shaking at low speeds or when I'm stopped and as I was slowing down
today the car just shut off. I was able to start it again, thankfully. But I'm terrified to drive it.
Does anybody have any suggestions about what it might be and how much I am looking
at? I saw it could be misfiring.

I'm hesitant to take it to a mechanic without some idea because I've been screwed over so
many times by mechanics here. They see a young woman who doesn't know cars and
they know they can take advantage of me.

1 Answer
18,675

munron answered 9 years ago

Modern cars (and yes, a '98 is a modern car) need proper modern diagnostics or you'll just be wasting money throwing parts at this car and hoping you score a hit. Ask around. I'm sure you have friends with cars. One of them knows a good shop that does proper diagnostics first. It's likely nothing major and once its fixed there's no reason why this car shouldn't have25,000 to 50,000 miles left in it.

2 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

  • '98 Pontiac shaking and service engine soon light blinking, car shutting off. 1 Answer

    I recently bought a '98 Pontiac Grand Prix. It's given me trouble since I bought it. It has over 200,000 miles on it. I realise now it was not a good idea, but I just needed a cheap car for 6 months...

    1998 Pontiac Grand Prix 4 Dr GTP Supercharged Sedan

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • How do I reset the engine light in my 98 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.8 Supercharged Engine 2 Answers

    I have done a lot of work on my 98 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.8 Supercharged Engine and the engine light is still on. How do I reset it?

    1998 Pontiac Grand Prix 4 Dr GTP Supercharged Sedan

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Service engine light in a 2001 Pontiac grand prix 1 Answer

    We have had this issue checked several times. They keep telling us that they cannot pin point the issue. It went away for a while but came back and stayed on. Is this normal for the light to co...

    2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Car keep shutting off 1 Answer

    The car won't stay running it randomly shuts down

    2004 Pontiac Grand Prix

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • 99 Pontiac Grand Prix Shutting Off Randomly 4 Answers

    I have a few issues that have all started happening within the last few weeks: 1: My car will randomly accelerate on it's own. It's random. It may do it at a stop light or it may do it at a higher sp...

    1999 Pontiac Grand Prix 2 Dr GT Coupe

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

Shortcuts

Search Pontiac Grand Prix Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    munron
    Reputation
    8,220
  • #2
    James Sparrow
    Reputation
    7,520
  • #3
    Dorian Hendricks
    Reputation
    6,160
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Pontiac Firebird
14 listings
Used Chevrolet Corvette
23 Great Deals out of 1,034 listings starting at $15,871
Used Buick Regal
4 Great Deals out of 33 listings starting at $6,990
Used Pontiac Grand Am
2 listings
Used Chevrolet Camaro
20 Great Deals out of 313 listings starting at $10,500
Used Chevrolet Monte Carlo
7 listings starting at $3,000
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
19 Great Deals out of 885 listings starting at $5,995
Used Ford Mustang
53 Great Deals out of 1,255 listings starting at $4,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.