3 issues with 2000 Bonneville SE

[dbaatz]

Hey everyone, I just aquired a 2000 Bonneville SE on 3/22/2011, it has 160,+++ miles on the odometer. When I test drove it from the dealership, I drove for about 20 mins, engine seemed healthy, trans shifted great. Got back to the dealer and looked it over good and nothing seemed wrong... no leaks, strange noises, etc. So I purchased it... "As is, No warranty".

1. I do notice the little noise in the steering when making slow turn that I've read about.

2. 3 days ago I got the oil changed and car washed (with underbody flush), then after a while I was going up a hill I noticed the engine chugging a little and my SES light came on. I took it to AutoZone on the 29th, came up with code P0742. The light went out on it's own while driving home from AutoZone but I did notice the engine chugging when I was pulling back into the driveway. This was after driving for around an hour and a half, the light didn't come back on though. Transmission fluid isn't real dark, doesn't smell burnt. There are no previous maintenance records, so I'm not sure of what has or hasn't been done as far as that goes. I drove it around today for about 3 hours and shifts smoothly, no engine chugging when going up a hill or when I drove into the driveway.

3. Now I'm noticing sometimes, when I go to start the car I get the dash lights and everything as usual before turning the key to start, that when I turn the key to start, there is nothing. No clicking or anything. I try for 2 or 3 times then the car will start, or it's like I have to hold the key in the start position for about 5 seconds before the starter engages... still experimenting with that... lol.

I'm taking it into the transmission shop in the morning to get a diagnostic ran to see if it's the TCC, or maybe even just a loose ground.

[Archon]

There's an article in techinfo on lubing or changing the intermediate shaft for the clunk in the steering.

The code read is for the TCC switch being stuck on. The shop should be able to help you with that, or you could try adding some of Seafoam's Trans Tune...run it for a week or two, then drop the transmission pan and swap out the fluid and filter. See if that frees things up.

There's a technical service bulletin regarding plastic particle interfering with the contacts in the ignitions switch that could be causing your problem. The fix is to replace it with the updated switch.

[dbaatz]

Thanks for the info Archon! I'll have to look into those.

As far as the transmission problem goes, the shop still has he car. They were running diagnostics on it yesterday and going to continue on Monday. They updated me yesterday and said that it looks like its in the wiring somewhere, and that it doesn't seem to be in the transmission itself. The shop owner did inform me that alot of the '99's - '01's, Buick AND Pontiac full size had some sort of wiring issue with the harness that goes to the transmission. I'll find out what it is on Monday for sure.

Thanks again!

[Archon]

They could be referring to this TSB.

Bulletin No.: 02-07-30-022B

Date: October 20, 2003

TECHNICAL

Subject:

Service Engine Soon (SES) Light On With DTCs P0716 and/or P0717, P0730, P0753, P0758, P1860, P1887, or other Miscellaneous Transmission Trouble Codes Set (Repair Wiring at Transaxle Wiring Pass-thru Connector)
Models:
2000-2004 Buick Century, LeSabre, Park Avenue, Regal
2003-2004 Buick Rendezvous
2000-2001 Chevrolet Lumina
2000-2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, Impala, Malibu, Monte Carlo, Venture
2004 Chevrolet Classic
2000-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
2000-2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
2000-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, Silhouette
2000-2004 Pontiac Bonneville, Grand Am, Grand Prix, Montana, Sunfire
2001-2004 Pontiac Aztek
2000 Toyota Cavalier
with 4T65-E, 4T40-E or 4T45-E Transaxle (RPOs MN3, MN7, M15, M76, MN4, MN5)

Supercede:

This bulletin is being revised to add the 2004 model year as well as the Chevrolet Classic model. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 02-07-30-022A (Section 07-Transmission/Transaxle).

Condition

Some customers may comment that the Service Engine Soon (SES) indicator is illuminated and that while the light is illuminated, transmission shifts are extremely harsh.

Cause

These types of conditions may be caused by an intermittent connection at the transaxle 20-way connector to the wiring harness interface.

Correction

If a DTC was recorded and the Freeze Frame and Failure Records back it up, a problem existed at one time with the wiring and/or the connectors between the transaxle and the PCM. Therefore, a thorough inspection and/or repair of the wiring harness at the transaxle 20-way connector for one or more of the following conditions may be warranted.
^ The wiring harness is stretched too tightly or other components are pressing on the connector body itself causing a downward pressure on the connector body and possible intermittent contact of the wiring terminals. Ensure proper clearance to any other components and wiring (i.e. hoses, battery cables, etc.).

^ The terminals are not fully seated into the cavity of the connector body.

^ The male terminals in the transaxle portion of the connector may be in the wrong position (i.e. bent).

^ The female terminals may be loose and are not making proper contact. Check the tension with the proper terminal tester from the GM Terminal Test Kit J 35616-A or J 35616-92. If the tension is low, replace the terminal. Do not try to re-form the terminal.

^ The crimp of the terminal to the wire may not be satisfactory (i.e. loose, over insulation, etc.).

^ The wiring connector is not properly seated and locked in position. Ensure proper seating of the connector into the transaxle and that the connector is properly locked in place.

[dbaatz]

Wow thanks alot Archon! That sounds exactly like what they were talking about. I really appreciate that, thanks!

[dbaatz]

Well, the transmission shop just called, they said it's the transmission itself. They pulled the pan and found metal chunks everywhere... Taking the car back to dealership today and getting most of my money back... Thanks to everyone for their help.

[Archon]

Sorry to hear that. Have you contacted the dealer already? Any problem with being able to return it with the "as is" selling point?

[dbaatz]

Thanks Archon.

Yeah they're gonna take it back and give me my down payment back - $500. Better than nothing.

[Archon]

Good! If you get another Bonneville...you know where to find us.

[dbaatz]

Thanks Archon. Actually I'm gonna be looking at a '94 SSE next week, I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again!

[00Beast]

Good! If you get another Bonneville...you know where to find us.

Or any other car, for that matter.

[dbaatz]

Thanks 00Beast!

[mcdavidhome]

They could be referring to this TSB.

Bulletin No.: 02-07-30-022B

Date: October 20, 2003

TECHNICAL

Subject:

Service Engine Soon (SES) Light On With DTCs P0716 and/or P0717, P0730, P0753, P0758, P1860, P1887, or other Miscellaneous Transmission Trouble Codes Set (Repair Wiring at Transaxle Wiring Pass-thru Connector)
Models:
2000-2004 Buick Century, LeSabre, Park Avenue, Regal
2003-2004 Buick Rendezvous
2000-2001 Chevrolet Lumina
2000-2004 Chevrolet Cavalier, Impala, Malibu, Monte Carlo, Venture
2004 Chevrolet Classic
2000-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
2000-2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
2000-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, Silhouette
2000-2004 Pontiac Bonneville, Grand Am, Grand Prix, Montana, Sunfire
2001-2004 Pontiac Aztek
2000 Toyota Cavalier
with 4T65-E, 4T40-E or 4T45-E Transaxle (RPOs MN3, MN7, M15, M76, MN4, MN5)

Supercede:

This bulletin is being revised to add the 2004 model year as well as the Chevrolet Classic model. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 02-07-30-022A (Section 07-Transmission/Transaxle).

Condition

Some customers may comment that the Service Engine Soon (SES) indicator is illuminated and that while the light is illuminated, transmission shifts are extremely harsh.

Cause

These types of conditions may be caused by an intermittent connection at the transaxle 20-way connector to the wiring harness interface.

Correction

If a DTC was recorded and the Freeze Frame and Failure Records back it up, a problem existed at one time with the wiring and/or the connectors between the transaxle and the PCM. Therefore, a thorough inspection and/or repair of the wiring harness at the transaxle 20-way connector for one or more of the following conditions may be warranted.
^ The wiring harness is stretched too tightly or other components are pressing on the connector body itself causing a downward pressure on the connector body and possible intermittent contact of the wiring terminals. Ensure proper clearance to any other components and wiring (i.e. hoses, battery cables, etc.).

^ The terminals are not fully seated into the cavity of the connector body.

^ The male terminals in the transaxle portion of the connector may be in the wrong position (i.e. bent).

^ The female terminals may be loose and are not making proper contact. Check the tension with the proper terminal tester from the GM Terminal Test Kit J 35616-A or J 35616-92. If the tension is low, replace the terminal. Do not try to re-form the terminal.

^ The crimp of the terminal to the wire may not be satisfactory (i.e. loose, over insulation, etc.).

^ The wiring connector is not properly seated and locked in position. Ensure proper seating of the connector into the transaxle and that the connector is properly locked in place.

Is this the transaxle 20-way connector to the wiring harness interface they are referring too in the TSB?
https://imgur.com/a/Bkx7lDT

[harofreak00]

Is this the transaxle 20-way connector to the wiring harness interface they are referring too in the TSB?
https://imgur.com/a/Bkx7lDT

Yes

[mcdavidhome]

Is this the transaxle 20-way connector to the wiring harness interface they are referring too in the TSB?
https://imgur.com/a/Bkx7lDT

Yes

Thanks!