1988 Pontiac 6000 problems
The Pontiac 6000 is a mid-size automobile manufactured and marketed by Pontiac for model years 1982 through 1991 in 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan and 5-door wagon body styles. The 6000 shared the front-wheel drive A platform with the Cutlass Ciera, Buick Century and Chevrolet Celebrity.
The 6000 was manufactured at Oshawa Car Assembly in Ontario, Canada from 1981 to 1988, at Oklahoma City Assembly until production ended, and briefly at North Tarrytown Assembly.
For model year 1984, the 6000 led Pontiac's sales, with a production over 122,000, and was the last Pontiac to carry a numeric designation. The 6000 was offered in a sporty variant, marketed as the 6000 STE, which was named to the Car and Driver Ten Best three times, from 1983 to 1985.
As part of their legacy, together the 6000 and the other A-bodies became enormously popular — as well as synonymous with GM's most transparent examples of badge engineering, highlighted almost indistinguishably on the August 22, 1983 cover of Fortune magazine as examples of genericized uniformity, embarrassing the company and ultimately prompting GM to recommit to design leadership.
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Common 1988 Pontiac 6000 problems
The Pontiac 6000, produced between 1982 and 1991, was a midsize car with various engine and transmission options. However, it faced several common problems, particularly in the 1988 model year.
- Stalling: Several owners of the 1988 Pontiac 6000 have reported issues with stalling, especially when the car is driven after sitting for a while. The stalling can be caused by various factors, including air in the fuel tank, issues with the V6 injectors, the transmission TCC solenoid, the idle air control valve, or even a clogged fuel filter from sitting. A mechanic should check the injectors, fuel filter, and idle air control valve to diagnose and solve the problem.
- Surge and Die: Some owners have experienced surging while driving, followed by the car dying when stopped. This issue could be related to the stalling problem, as it may indicate a fuel or electrical system malfunction. A thorough inspection of the fuel system, including the fuel pump, fuel filter, and fuel injectors, is recommended.
- Difficulty Starting: Some 1988 Pontiac 6000 owners have reported difficulties starting their cars, requiring multiple attempts before the engine turns over. This issue could be caused by a weak battery, a faulty starter motor, or ignition system problems. A mechanic should inspect the battery, starter motor, and ignition system to identify and resolve the problem.
- Electrical Issues: Some owners have reported electrical issues, such as the car dying when a fuse is pulled, which could indicate a wiring or electrical component failure. A thorough inspection of the car's electrical system, including wiring, fuses, and relays, is recommended to identify and resolve the problem.
These common problems with the 1988 Pontiac 6000 can be frustrating for owners, but they can often be resolved with proper diagnosis and repair. It is essential to consult a qualified mechanic to diagnose and address these issues to ensure the safety and reliability of the vehicle.
What replaced the Pontiac 6000?
1991: The 6000 is dropped, being replaced by the Grand Prix sedan. In addition, the Pontiac 6000 wagon was the final GM designed station wagon offering from Pontiac, as it was replaced by the Pontiac Trans Sport in 1990. The last Pontiac 6000 was assembled on July 22, 1991.
Why did GM get rid of Pontiac?
Amid the financial crisis, General Motors needed a government bailout. Congress agreed but required the company to restructure its business and cut costs. In the end, GM decided to eliminate several brands, including Pontiac. The last car to wear the arrowhead badge was a G6, which ended production in early 2010.
Which Pontiacs were made by Toyota?
The Pontiac Vibe was a compact car made by General Motors with Toyota at New United Motor Manufacturing plant in Freemont, California. It was only sold as a five-door hatchback.
What was the downfall of the Pontiac?
Amid the financial crisis, General Motors needed a government bailout. Congress agreed but required the company to restructure its business and cut costs. In the end, GM decided to eliminate several brands, including Pontiac. The last car to wear the arrowhead badge was a G6, which ended production in early 2010.
What is the specs of the 1988 Pontiac 6000?
| Pontiac 6000 | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5 L LR8 I4 2.8 L LE2/LH7/L44/LB6 V6 3.1 L LH0 V6 4.3 L LT7 diesel V6 |
| Transmission | 3-speed 3T40 automatic 4-speed 4T60 automatic 5-speed Getrag manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 in (2,654 mm) (1982–1988) 104.9 in (2,664 mm) (1989–1991) |
What was Pontiacs most powerful engine?
Pontiac 455 Super Duty V8 engine
The most powerful Pontiac engine ever produced was the Pontiac 455 Super Duty V8 engine. It was introduced in the 1973 model year and was available in limited quantities until 1974.
What Pontiac has a Toyota engine?
Pontiac Vibe
The Pontiac Vibe is a compact car that was sold by Pontiac from 2002 to 2010. It was jointly developed by General Motors along with Toyota, which manufactured the mechanically similar Toyota Matrix.
Did Pontiac use Toyota engines?
Powertrains available for this car are a Toyota-built 1.8 L straight-4 16-valve engine producing 126 hp (94 kW) on the base model (manual or automatic transmission), 118 hp on the all-wheel drive model (automatic only), or a version with VVTL-i producing 164 hp (122 kW) for the GT (manual 6-speed only).
1988 Pontiac 6000 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Pontiac 6000 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Steering problems
- Seat belts problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Pontiac 6000 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1988 Pontiac 6000 complaints
The NHTSA has received 19 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Pontiac 6000.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WHEN THE BRAKEIS WERE APPLIED THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR AND GAVE NO RESPNOSE, TO GET A RESPONSE , PEDAL HAS TO BE PUMPED HARD. THE CONSUMER HAS HAD THE ANTI-SKID SYSTEM DEACTIVATED SO THAT THE REGULAR BRAKE WOULD WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-09-20
- VIN: 1G2AG51WXJT
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: COLD WEATHER POWER STEERING FAILURE. LEAKING SEALS. REPLACEMENT OF RACK AND PINION AND POWER STEERING PUMP. NEW RACK AND PINION FAILED AGAIN WITH ONSET OF COLD WEATHER.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: STEEL FUEL LINE IS RUSTED, AND IS CAUSING A LEAK BY THE REAR OF THE GAS TANK. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1990-10-01
- Components: SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: FRONT SWAY BAR BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHIMMY AND SWAY TO THE RIGHT. ALSO TRANS AXLE MALFUNCTIONED.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-08-17
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: FIRST TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACED AT 175K MILES BECAUSE THIRD GEAR WAS SLIPPING, THE REPLACEMENT IS NOW DOING THE SAME, CONSUMER HAS TO START OUT IN FIRST GEAR AND THE REVERSE DOESN'T WORK. *ET
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-12
- VIN: 1G2AF51R8JT
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: PROBLEM W/FUEL TANK.. (2ND VEHICLE ON 506366)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-12
- VIN: 1G2AF51R8JT
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL INJECTION FAILURE.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-12
- VIN: 1G2AF51R8JT
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: RACK AND PINION FAILURE.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1992-10-15
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVER AND PASSENGER PLASTIC PIECE ON SEAT BELT LOCKING MECHANISM HAVE BROKEN OFF; SEAT BELTS WILL NOT STAY LOCKED; OFTEN DIFFICULT TO LOCK>AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-10-01
- VIN: 202AE81W9J9
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT SHOULDER AND LAP BELT. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-10-01
- VIN: 202AE81W9J9
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT SHOULDER AND LAP BELT. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-06-12
- VIN: 1G2AG51W5JT
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: BACKSEAT SEATBELT BUCKLE BEHIND THE DRIVER IS STUCK AND DOES NOT WORK ALL. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT LATCH BECAUSE PLASTIC COVER FELL OFF.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-06-12
- VIN: 1G2AG51W5JT
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE BACKSEAT SEATBELT BEHIND THE DRIVER DOES NOT WORK AT ALL AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT LATCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-10
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE HEAD GASKETS SEALS WILL NOT TIGHTEN UP SO WATER GETS IN THE OIL AND NOW THE CAR WILL NOT RUN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-02-15
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: DURING COLD WEATHER DIFFICULTY IN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-25
- VIN: 2G2AH51W5J9
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED WITH HARD PEDAL PRIOR TO FAILURE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-12-23
- VIN: 2G2AG51RXJ9
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: HAD TO REPLACE EIGHT COMPUTERS DUE TO ROUGH IDLE/STALLING. TT
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-12
- VIN: 1G2AF51R7JT
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: COLD POWER STEERING. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-12
- VIN: 1G2AF51R7JT
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS. TT
1988 Pontiac 6000 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1988 Pontiac 6000.
- Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
- Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: FUEL FEED HOSE COULD LEAK AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
- Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT INAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
- Remedy: INSTALL NEW FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
- Summary: FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET COULD DEVELOP METAL CRACKS.
- Consequence: THESE CRACKS MAY RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE LOWERCONTROL ARM. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT INLOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
- Remedy: INSPECT ALL VEHICLES AND REPLACE ENGINE CRADLE ASSEMBLY ON ALL SUSPECT VEHICLES.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1988 Pontiac 6000 problems:
1988 Pontiac 6000 Reviews - Carsurvey.org
Aug 24, 2009 ... Faults: Replaced water pump and transmission, head gasket now leaking, but what can you expect from a car with 365,000km on it.
Q&A: Troubleshooting No Start Condition in 1988 Pontiac 6000 LE
May 16, 2015 ... In order for the engine to start and run you need good spark, injector pulse, proper fuel pressure (41 to 47 PSI) and good compression. If you ...
annoying idle !!!!!! help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | J-Body Automobiles Forum
Jan 11, 2003 ... I have a feeling it's a common problem,what's the fix? ... 1988-89 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX AND 6000. WITH 2.8 ... We ran into some problems. Please try ...
Q&A: Pontiac 6000 Neutral Switch Location for 1991 V6 Engine
Oct 19, 2010 ... i am no at the car.. i'l check later to see if i can find the P/n switch... is this a common problem for a no start at the key. i does start ...
Common problems? - Pennock's Fiero Forum
Oct 24, 2005 ... ... engine, go-kart handling and mini-supercar looks, the 1986-1988 Pontiac Fiero GT was 1980s America's everyday exotic. The Fiero, which ...
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