I'm unsure of a few things

[CadiEldo67]

Firstly, I own a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GT with 47,520ish miles, and I probably wouldn't give it up for anything. However I have encountered a few annoyances with it in my first year of ownership.

• After sitting overnight, the gas pedal sticks in the off position, causing a quicker start than I would prefer.

• Heat shield rattles @ 1400 rpms, whats the best solution?

• After starting the car, I shift from park to drive, the car is idling slightly high, and an abrupt jolt occurs while my foot is still on the brake. I assume that this isn't good for the transmission or the brakes, but wouldn't mind be reassured that it is or isn't a problem.

• The windows sometimes don't go up, if I wait for 10 seconds, and try again, they will go up fine. The sunroof sometimes doesn't open all the way, and the windows have different speeds everyday.

• I also noticed a slight vibration while driving, it appeared to come from the front passenger tire, could this just be a loose bolt?

I'm not willing to sell the car over these inconveniences, but would like to know if there is a solution, to keep the car in better working order. I get crazy at the thought of resale value.

[F14CRAZY]

You spose you could explain the gas pedal situation?

You may just be able to delete the heat shield...I'm not sure if its truly necessary on the GP (BUT IT MIGHT BE)

This seems normal of automatics, though what I do, if possible, is let off the brake before the transmission engages. I like older automatics where you don't have to step the brake to shift from park

Sorry I don't have any advice on your power problem

Your wheels/tires probably need to be balanced. Visit a good tire shop. Free-$8/wheel

[mike202]

I used to have a 2000 GP, and has some of these problems.

Originally Posted by CadiEldo67

After sitting overnight, the gas pedal sticks in the off position, causing a quicker start than I would prefer.

Clean the throttle body

Originally Posted by CadiEldo67

Heat shield rattles @ 1400 rpms, whats the best solution?

Do you know which one? Maybe can be tightened or welded at a muffler shop

Originally Posted by CadiEldo67

After starting the car, I shift from park to drive, the car is idling slightly high, and an abrupt jolt occurs while my foot is still on the brake. I assume that this isn't good for the transmission or the brakes, but wouldn't mind be reassured that it is or isn't a problem.?

Check the motor mounts

Originally Posted by CadiEldo67

The windows sometimes don't go up, if I wait for 10 seconds, and try again, they will go up fine. The sunroof sometimes doesn't open all the way, and the windows have different speeds everyday.

These window motors are problematic. Both of mine were replaced under warrenty. I believe there is a SB published on this problem.

Originally Posted by CadiEldo67

I also noticed a slight vibration while driving, it appeared to come from the front passenger tire, could this just be a loose bolt?.

Could just be out of balance, or a bad tire

[chickenkicker]

Originally Posted by CadiEldo67

Heat shield rattles @ 1400 rpms, whats the best solution?

Which heat shield is it exactly? I know on one of my cars that had a rattling heat shield (exhaust manifold shield) it was because the spot welds holding the 2 pieces of sheet metal together came apart and they rattled together at low RPM.

After starting the car, I shift from park to drive, the car is idling slightly high, and an abrupt jolt occurs while my foot is still on the brake. I assume that this isn't good for the transmission or the brakes, but wouldn't mind be reassured that it is or isn't a problem.

It might be the motor mounts. Open the hood and start the car and have someone stand next to it and watch the engine. Keep your foot on the break and shift from park to drive then back again and see how much the engine moves. Excessive movement can be a sign of bad mounts. Also has it always done this or is this something new that has developed.

The windows sometimes don't go up, if I wait for 10 seconds, and try again, they will go up fine. The sunroof sometimes doesn't open all the way, and the windows have different speeds everyday.

The window problem sounds like it's a dying window lift motor. When they are going out they overheat and stop and you have to wait a little while until they'll move again. With my TA they started to slow down a little then they stopped and I had to wait 2 or 3 sec. a month or 2 later it was 10sec, then 30, etc. until they finally froze half way up.

I also noticed a slight vibration while driving, it appeared to come from the front passenger tire, could this just be a loose bolt?

It is possible a bolt or 2 could be loose, or the tire could be out of balance.

[darndot]

I had a 99 GP. Tires need to be balanced on a regular schedule. Other complaints that you have are very common.

[WishIhadatruck]

The gas pedal sticking is almost for sure the throttle body sticking due to being dirty. My '01 had the same problem. I finally got around to having it cleaned at 85k miles. It had been doing it for a year. I had my mechanic do it when he was replacing the intake manifold gaskets which I'm sure you will eventually have to do as well. Start saving your money.

[CadiEldo67]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

You spose you could explain the gas pedal situation?

Ok, I’ll come home at say 10 and the car sits outside all night. It gets to maybe 40 degrees or so, and then I go to leave in the morning, its like 7:30-8:00, and I start the car, shift into drive (which results in my car jolting) and then attempt to push the gas pedal in carefully, as to not take off too fast, and you push it a little harder, and it lets loose-resulting in a quick take off. But after I do this once, it’s fine. Its only a once per day experience, and come winter time, its going to get the tires spinning a little bit.

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

Your wheels/tires probably need to be balanced. Visit a good tire shop. Free-$8/wheel

If that’s all it is, then I won’t worry about it, I plan on getting some better tires in the fall or something.

Originally Posted by chickenkicker

Which heat shield is it exactly? I know on one of my cars that had a rattling heat shield (exhaust manifold shield) it was because the spot welds holding the 2 pieces of sheet metal together came apart and they rattled together at low RPM.

To be honest, I thought there was only one heat shield, so I’m not sure which one it is.

Originally Posted by chickenkicker

It might be the motor mounts. Open the hood and start the car and have someone stand next to it and watch the engine. Keep your foot on the break and shift from park to drive then back again and see how much the engine moves. Excessive movement can be a sign of bad mounts. Also has it always done this or is this something new that has developed.

It usually just did this in colder weather, not sure about winter time(it was stored) but no its becoming an everyday thing.

Originally Posted by chickenkicker

The window problem sounds like it's a dying window lift motor. When they are going out they overheat and stop and you have to wait a little while until they'll move again. With my TA they started to slow down a little then they stopped and I had to wait 2 or 3 sec. a month or 2 later it was 10sec, then 30, etc. until they finally froze half way up.

And if this is my “biggest problem” then I guess it isn’t too bad.

Thanks F14CRAZY, mike202, chickenkicker, darndot and WishIhadatruck for your help.

[Corr69]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

You may just be able to delete the heat shield...I'm not sure if its truly necessary on the GP (BUT IT MIGHT BE)

Trust me, if it wasn't necessary, GM would have saved them selves the 4 dollars in material costs and not put it on.

[chickenkicker]

If there's a heat shield there's usually a good reason for it. My TA had hoses, break lines, wires, and spark plug wires running very close to the heat shields on my old stock manifolds. With my new headers, eventho they are ceramic coated to reduce radiant heat, I still had to relocate or heat wrap several wires/hoses under my hood to keep them from frying. I would advise against removing a heat shield.