New- with lots of little issues.

[mrsboyko]

I just found this forum and I think you may be the right people to help me out. I have a 2002 SLE with a number of minor issues that all together are making me want to find a new car. But I can't seeing as I don't really have the $$ for that.

The biggest issues right now is the back windows. They are broken/ off the track or something in a Cchicago winter. My husband looked at the one when it fell a few months ago and said (I didn't see it first hand) that the glass around the pins that make the window ride up and down is cracked. Basically we need new glass to be installed. Okay, not a big deal. We'll get to it when we can. We have that window wedged up. Then a week ago the other back window fell, just like the first. At this point I have 2 broken back windows, both happened w/in 4 months of eachother. Is there a known issue with these windows?

Next I seem to be having a progressive power/ lighting issue. First one of the seat warmers went out. When I turn it on, it immediately turns off and the seat never warms up. Then the lights on 1/2 the radio died (where the time/ station displays), then the other seat warmer died, then some lights on the dashboard went out. All that stuff is cosmetic (excelt for missing my warm seats that is) and I can deal with it. The concerning thing is that now my air bag light is on. I don't know if I am all of a sudden to light to activate the air bag (I weigh around 110 lbs) because it turns off when my husband drives (220 lbs) or what. Also the seat belt light is constantly on even though I buckle up every time and ther is nothing on the passanger seat. If these lights are on and i am in an accident, will the air bag deploy?!?

The last issue has been happening for over 18 months now. I have had it in to be checked out multiple times and of the 4 mechanics I have brought it too (one is my regular guy) no one can figure it out. Basically what happens is my car has issue switching gears. It gets stuck in 1st, 2nd and 3rd and when it does finally shift, it feels like the whole engine is jumping really hard. The biggest issue is that it comes and goes intermitantly. I have found that if i baby it and let off the gas when it is trying to shift, it prolongs the "spell" it is having. If I force it, hitting the gas HARD when it is trying it shift, it resolves itself much faster. Sometimes it only lasts as long as the current ride I am taking. Other times it lasts a month off and on. As it is happening, the check engin light does come on, but it turns off and on at will it seems. I swear the car can feel when I am close to a repair place as the light turns off as soon as I see it in the distance. I have not been able to get a diagnostic check run whie it is having the issue and the light is on. I have had a tune up recently, the serpentine belt replaced in the last year, the cadalic converter was replaced in Oct (2nd time since I have owned it) and I get regular oil changes.

Unfortunately I know this car is coming to the end of its life. I have nearing 200,000 miles on it. But I can not let it go yet. I need a car and I drive a LOT. Even with the mechanical issues it has never left me stranded in the 5 years I have had it.

[sm in Georgia]

Dont know how to fix it but I can commiserate! My back passenger window can only go down about 3 inches when it starts to sound like metal on glass. But I live in Georgia where we have 3 months of winter/fall, 6 months of summer and 3 months of hell. Air conditioning runs 9 months out of the year!

Good luck!!

[Archon]

The rear window problem is likely defective window regulators. You could pick them up off Ebay, contact Harofreak00 to see if he has any, or try to repair them yourself.
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... f=43&t=212

You probably have a broken wire in the supply for the seat heater.
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 21&t=21967

Harofreak00 also repairs the burned out lights in radios.
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=7449

To find out the problem with the air bags, the car will have to be scanned with a TechII or other scanner that can read those codes.

Do you know when the transmission fluid and filter was last changed. The front transmission mount could also be part of the problem.