Quote:

---

Originally posted by dowtrader

Hello Friends,
I am in desperate need of your advise. I have 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 3.8L. I have been having this problem since last few days that when i drive my grandprix all of a sudden air bag & display panel on the dashboard starts to flash on & off together. After this whenever i stop at the red light and starts to move again my car comes to a stall and i have to push full gas pedal and than it starts to pick slowly. Today i showed it to the desi mechanic and he scanned it to find where the problem is. He came up with this code "P0560" System voltage problem or too low. He checked the battery and alternator and they are fine. He called an electrician and he spent a few hours but didn't have any luck in locating the cause of this issue. Did someone else had similar problem before. Can somebody kindly advise how this can be fixed. Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I am very tensed. Please help. Do you know of any expert technician who can help me or should i just take it to GM.

---

_____________________________________________________________

Hello,

First, please clean the battery posts and the terminals with a cloth.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Taking-Care-of-Your-Cars-Battery&id=108371

Make sure the car keys are out of the ignition and in your pocket.

If you are a handy man and know the car thoroughly and know the parts under the hood, then,

Remove the Negative terminal (-) first and shine the lug inside and the post with emery paper or sand paper and if you have some petroleum jelly (Vaseline) coat it with a fine film. Then leave it hanging.

Then do the same with the Positive terminal, (+). Remove, clean and coat and then install the same one back, FIRST.

Now go back to the Negative terminal and install the same one back.

If it is a maintenance free battery, then the fluids should be full (might be)
Otherwise, check the fluid level (Sulphuric acid) and top it up to the working level with DISTILLED water. (Under two bucks +/- in the drug store) Alternately boil and filter.

Now your battery is clean and topped up.

Run your car for a few minutes and drive around the block and see if the problem occurs again. If it has stopped, then you have covered half the problem.

Since the code that you have provided is also an indication of fuel to air ratio, which means it could have a dirty air filter that needs renewal. That will be the first check. Hold it to a powerful light and see if the light passes through. If it is clear, then, your filter is O.K. Even otherwise that will be the quickest and the cheapest fix. Then comes the MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor. That will set you off by $90 or there about + Labor, unless the diagnostics includes the fix.
OR
Too much fuel getting in, due to fuel pump ballast failure. (Extreme). Also there is a spark plug that always gives trouble and the Mechanics always fudge this one. That screws everyone till after two weeks. They never change that ONE spark plug, I think it is cylinder #5.

These cars have a front wheel drive and because of the fact that the front-wheel-drive automatics do not provide sufficient torque and also do not hold up well under EXTREME torque situations such as sudden acceleration from a dead stop, it stalls and staggers. That is due to the Vacuum line (Hose) giving problems. It is supposed to assist in the shifting. That is the next to be checked.

For this you will have to check the car in neutral and see if there is a noise. If none then put it in gear and if it rumbles or stalls, then check the transmission and top up the fluid. If needs to be changed, then do a thorough cleaning and a filter change with it. Do it step at a time. Get your expenses to a low level. That is the last to do. But ask him to check the vacuum line at that time, visual inspection and tightness at the ends.

If the noise is under the hood and if it has a Supercharger, please check the belts. (The noise would come from the top of the engine, under the hood) Also check the oil in the Charger, while you are at it.

Once in a while the ABS sensors act up and pump the brakes automatically and cause a shudder, so I do not want to leave that element of surprise out of the equation. But it corrects itself. That calls for the removal of both the front tires and checking them. If it is a High performance vehicle that is zooped up, one with 4 disc brakes, then, all four tires have to come off. Inspect the sensors at that time. Set the gaps.

Now you know what are all the problems could be. Please tell me how many of these you can complete and accomplish them yourself to find a solution.

The first two, the air and the fuel are the fixes for the CODE PO560.
The others are for the shuddering etc., that you mentioned. So, please eliminate a problem at a time, while the car is running. If it packs up, then you will have to take it to the mechanic.

Hope this helps.

Freddie.