Idle Issues, Sunroof issues, Klunk in the rear suspension

jonthemechanic

jonthemechanic

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Okay, first the basic information:

2003 Grand Am, 140K miles. 2.2l Ecotec 4cyl, automatic transmission.
New fuel filter, air filter and spark plugs.



1) The car has a major issue with a poor idle, especially with the a/c running and in drive. Is this normal? All the other four bangers I've owned had a bit of a rough one, but not like this. I can't hear any vacuum leaks and the engine runs fine and has good pulling power all around.

2) Sunroof opens to the "vent" position and closes easily as well, but will not open much farther than that, i.e. it won't slide open all the way. It doesn't always do this, on occasion will open and close fully without a hitch, usually only for just a few cycles and then I'm back to just the vent position. I know this isn't normal, but I've never had to diagnose any part of a sunroof.

3) Low-speed clunk in the rear suspension. Honestly, I'm just posting this one to ask if anyone as replaced the rear strut assemblies on one of these as it is fairly evident that the strut mounts are worn out. How difficult is this job? It doesn't LOOK to hard. Also, would I need to have the rear end realigned afterwords?

Thanks for looking and I certainly appreciate any help / advice anyone has to offer!

Jon.
 
I've cleaned at it. Probably need to pull the IAC out to do it properly. I don't have the right sized star-bit.
 
As above try cleaning. At 140K assumming original struts time to replace. Cannt comment on the roof issue
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Thanks, I had planned on buying either the KYB or Monroe "quick struts" and replace the whole thing in one shot; strut, mount and spring. As for the actual job, will it require the car to be realigned? I didn't see anything that looked adjustable under there, but I've run across a few other cars that you had to buy adjustable bolts and the like once the car was apart.
 
From what I can see there is a bolt for adjusting the camber angle.
 
^^ agreed with the above (as usual the other ppl are giving good advice) I personally go with KYB.

on the sunroof is there anything blocking it? I have a 2000 ga gt 3400 w/sun roof and it needed to be greased to move easily. try cleaning any junk out of the way and lubricating it.

best of luck!
 
richardgriese said:
^^ agreed with the above (as usual the other ppl are giving good advice) I personally go with KYB.

on the sunroof is there anything blocking it? I have a 2000 ga gt 3400 w/sun roof and it needed to be greased to move easily. try cleaning any junk out of the way and lubricating it.

best of luck!
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Thanks! Sounds good, I like the KYB idea myself. I'll try cleaning and lubing the roof. Standard auto grease, like for wheel bearings? Or something special? I had a '96 Regal GS coupe with a sunroof and never had to service it.

melsg5, thanks for the info!
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You want to use a something safe for rubber and plastic not wheel bearing grease, try white lithium.
 
Annd, randomly one of the rear window regulators decided to go out. Replaced the other side right after I bought the car. Is this a common problem? Is there anyway short of not using the windows to prevent it?
 
Unfortunately as car's age components start failing and there is nothing to prevent it from occurring. Even not using something can cause it to stop functioning, grease dries, contacts oxidize, seals leak, etc.
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Yeah, parking a car is one of the worst things you can do to it. The regulator sounded like the little cable wrapped itself around the wrong thing and broke. Unfortunately, both the fronts sound like they are getting ready to do the same thing. Mostly just hoping.
 
Yeah sorry I should specify; mel is right (white lithium). Just keep a bottle of that around-it is great for many things and unlike WD-40, it won't come off in water.

Yea the car is old. I bought a 2000 Bonneville SSEi 6 months ago and needed to replace them too
 
richardgriese said:
Yeah sorry I should specify; mel is right (white lithium). Just keep a bottle of that around-it is great for many things and unlike WD-40, it won't come off in water.

Yea the car is old. I bought a 2000 Bonneville SSEi 6 months ago and needed to replace them too
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It's cool. I'm going to stay away from the sprays, the ones I've dealt with in the past seem too thin. Reason I said wheel bearing grease is that is what looks like is there now. I use white lithium spray grease for just about all body lube applications on a car anyway. Honestly, I think the newer window regulator designs suck big time, at least on American cars. I work for a Chrysler dealership (parts dept) and used to work for a GM dealership (I've lost contact with the mechanics from the GM) a few years back and we went through tons of regulators both in warranty and customer pay. Anyway. Thanks guys!
 
Annnnnd....I'm an idiot. Went to clean the IAC valve and passages today and the valve itself refused to move. Should have stopped there and left it alone. Did I? No. Now I have to replace it. Go me.
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