It's a 95 Pontiac Bonneville. It's been happening alot recently. I am driving and then all of a sudden the steering wheel gets hard and then it dies. I just put it in neutral and turn the ignition and it starts up again but I would really like to know what's wrong with it and how it can be fixed. Any mechanically knowledgable people out there who can help me?
2007-02-02 04:52:32 · 12 answers · asked by madmomma 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I had this happen to me in a 95 honda prelude. It was a failing coil, it would stop producing a charge to kick off the plugs. I'm not a certified mechanic but it seems to me that if the car turns over right away then the battery is OK otherwise you wouldn't get it turned over. Likewise with the alternator your lights would be dim and the battery would drain. I would check the plugs, distributor cap, wires, and or coil. These problems are relatively inexpensive and are do it yourself projects. I recommend trying to find a repair manual for your car too.
2007-02-02 05:04:42 · answer #1 · answered by Rick P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am constantly amazed at what people post for answers.
A supposed mechanic who says it is an alternator or battery problem? If it was, the car would not keep starting every time you try. Think about it. How could you have enough power to start the car if the battery was bad or the alternator didn't charge it!
There are so many different things that can cause this. The only way to know is to take it to someone who knows how to diagnose problems.
I have been going to one guy for years because I trust him. He fixes only what is wrong and he tests it before replacing it. He doesn't just keep replacing parts until it is fixed.
He knows enough to diagnose it and he is honest enough to only replace what is needed. He also changes a fair price. That is why I keep going back to him.
Many many different problems can have the symptom that you describe. Only by working on your car can a person figure it out.
It was good to ask here, but unless that is a common problem for that type of car, all the answers are not really going to help. I had that happen once. My car had a problem that turned out to be very common for that model.
There was a secret recall, but since it was secret, you had to make a big stink to get it fixed after warranty. Knowing it was a common problem allowed me to force the dealer to fix it for free. It would have cost about $1000 if I had to pay for it.
This happens all the time. There are web sites that talk about some of those. Ralph Nader's book was NOT about Corvairs, it was about those secret recalls. Read it before you judge. Sorry, got off the subject :-)
2007-02-02 05:08:12 · answer #2 · answered by Mia R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 30 year mechanic must not have fixed to many cars in that time. It's not the alternator or battery. The possibilities are many. The engine is losing fuel or spark or both. Take it to a good shop and let them look at it.
2007-02-02 06:14:04 · answer #3 · answered by grease junkie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'll agree with the mechanic who mentioned the alternator. This sounds like what it is to me as well. I don't think it's a huge cost to repair -- but depending upon where you live.
I had a few cars where the alternator would go out and it would need a rebuilt one. Last one to get rebuilt cost me a little over $100 with labor and all -- but I live in an area where stuff like that is cheap. Alternators go out in GM cars a lot it seems.
2007-02-02 04:58:52 · answer #4 · answered by curious_One 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its not getting enough Gas in the pistons I think.. It may be a seal or a valve problem in the piston chamber.
2007-02-02 04:56:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
*** When troubleshooting and unsure of the cause,
always start by eliminating the cheapest issues first ***
So, for starters I would go ahead and replace the fuel filter and the air filter.
2007-02-02 05:45:23 · answer #6 · answered by netthiefx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have an electrical short or mis-connecting wire somewhere in the electrical wiring system somewhere.
I had a Jeep that did this and it was a wiring problem.
2007-02-02 04:54:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I freakin knew it! I knew when I opened this question, the car would be a Pontiac!
2007-02-02 05:02:33 · answer #8 · answered by THE STUDLIEST 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You either have a dead cell in the battery or its the alternator
2007-02-02 04:55:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
have your distributor cap checked. its either bad or jumps time
2007-02-02 07:38:55 · answer #10 · answered by cindy m 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋