Pontiac owners are migrating to Chevrolet

Thirteen of Buick-GMC dealer Kim Borcherding's customers had Pontiac leases that ended in March, but none of them bought or leased another new vehicle from her.

Six of them bought an import. Three bought a Chevrolet, which Borcherding's Cincinnati store doesn't sell. One bought a used vehicle from her, and three bought out their leases.

Those were their only options if they wanted to stay her customers, Borcherding says. Her current inventory is “just nothing that is in their league,” she says, since the lowest priced new vehicle she has costs nearly $25,000.

Like most Pontiac owners, Borcherding's customers need moderately priced sedans not found in the current Buick-GMC showroom.

As a result, General Motors Co.'s retention efforts are shifting most of its former Pontiac owners to Chevrolet.

“They have nowhere else to turn because we don't have anything else to offer,” Borcherding says. “They're not going to wait forever.”

In the year leading up to GM's April 27, 2009, announcement that it would kill Pontiac, 37 percent of owners trading in a Pontiac bought a GM product, according to data from Edmunds.com. That percentage has stayed nearly flat at 36 percent.

But the preferred GM brand for repeat buyers has shifted. Before GM decided to eliminate Pontiac, the brand competed evenly with Chevrolet for Pontiac owners' next purchases, with each brand averaging 15 percent. And Pontiac won that battle in the months immediately following the death sentence.

But from Jan. 1 -- when GM's supply of Pontiacs had dwindled to 800 -- through March, one-fourth of Pontiac owners chose Chevrolet for their next purchase. To compare, Buick-GMC sales from Pontiac trade-ins have only increased to 10 percent this year, from 6 percent the year before the Pontiac verdict.

That's fine with some Buick-GMC dealers who either own Chevrolet stores down the street or never depended much on Pontiac sales. But for others, the loss of Pontiac and the shift to Buick-GMC's premium image has meant a drop in revenue. Their wait for less expensive sedans continues while Pontiac owners slowly slip away to the local Chevrolet dealer.

“None of them are buying a Buick-GMC because there's nothing really comparable in the Buick-GMC line,” says Mark Frost, general manager of Jim Ellis Buick-GMC outside Atlanta.

The GMC Terrain small crossover, starting at $24,995, including shipping, has the lowest starting sticker price in the brands' lineups, not counting pickups. The least-expensive car, the Buick LaCrosse, starts at $26,995, including shipping.

Dealers will have to wait until the 2012 model year to sell a less expensive sedan: the base version of the new Buick Regal. A premium-trim-level Regal is on its way to dealerships with a $26,995 price tag, and the base level will cost less than that.

Frost also manages a Chevrolet store, and 10 of the 14 Pontiac trade-ins he has seen since November have been for Chevrolets. His dealership group took over the Buick-Pontiac-GMC franchise a year ago, so it has never really depended on Pontiac sales. But he still advertises service to Pontiac owners through the updated “free agent” lists GM provides to all its dealers.

GM has also offered Pontiac owners four free oil changes and $1,000 off a new GM vehicle.

“The loyalty rates of Pontiac owners are in line with our expectations,” GM spokesman Tom Henderson says. He declined to give data on retention rates or efforts to keep Pontiac customers in the GM fold.

One dealer sees used cars as a way to retain Pontiac owners. New York dealer Mike Mullaney's Buick-GMC store doesn't have inexpensive new products for his Pontiac customers, so he's trying to put them in late-model used Pontiacs. That way, he hopes he can keep from losing his customers to the local Chevrolet dealer and maybe be able to offer them a smaller, less expensive Buick in a year or two.

Says Mullaney: “If we can maintain that customer for one more product cycle, we'll be in good shape.”

Electric Fuel Pump Testing - 1994 Pontiac Grand Prix

Connect pressure gauge J–34730–1, or equivalent, to fuel pressure test point on the fuel rail. Wrap a rag around the pressure tap to absorb any leakage that may occur when installing the gauge.


Turn the ignition ON and check that pump pressure is 24–40 psi. (165–276 kPa)

Start the engine and allow it to idle. The fuel pressure should drop to 28–32 psi (193–221 kPa) due to the lower manifold pressure.

NOTE: The idle pressure will vary somewhat depending on barometric pressure. Check for a drop in pressure indicating regulator control, rather than specific values.

If the fuel pressure drops, check the operation of the check valve, the pump coupling connection, fuel pressure regulator valve and the injectors. A restricted fuel line or filter may also cause a pressure drip. To check the fuel pump output, restrict the fuel return line and run 12 volts to the pump. The fuel pressure should rise to approximately 75 psi (517 kPa) with the return line restricted.

Before attempting to remove or service any fuel system component, it is necessary to relieve the fuel system pressure.

what causes the reduced power engine light to come on

I have a 2000 Pontiac Firebird, what causes the reduced power engine light to come on ?

Answer:

When the vehicle computer receives voltage signals that are abnormal it will come on. If this seems to only occur when the engine is cold. Try letting the vehicle run till it reaches normal operating temperature ( between 180 and 220) before driving it and see if it runs OK, You may have a faulty engine temp sensor that is sending the wrong information to the computer. Does the check engine light come on??? If so extract the codes and this may help narrow down the problem.

Rough Idle ! 2000 Pontiac Sunfire

OK here we go........2000 Pontiac sunfire gt 2.4 litre engine 180 000 Km rough idle started suddenly one morning...... things I've tried and tested..... changed spark plugs twice replaced throttle body gasket replaced intake manifold gasket tried new coils checked engine compression all between 216-222 psi checked engine vacuum not steady but between 14-15" mercury added two cans combustion chamber cleaner no check engine soon light!!! my GM mechanic had it for three hours could not find anything added one can injector cleaner thing i haven't checked evap egr catalytic converter fuel pressure engine idles rough only, when it gets above 1500 rpm it disappears but it takes longer than usual to come back to idle speed , all this happens hot or cold....... Hope you can help or suggest............Rick Response: Your problem you say is below 1500 rpm and that the vehicle runs fine above 1500 rpm. I would say you need to replace the IAC valve (idle air control). The IAC only functions at or below 1500 rpm. This is a common issue with GM engines. If you have replaced the intake manifold gasket , this should be fairly simple for you. Also when you remove the old IAC clean any excessive carbon that may be present.

I want more power and was told to get a supercharger

Question: Where can I get a super charger for my 2002 Nissan Maxima ? I want more power and was told by several of my friends and several mechanics that I should get a super charger. Where can I find more information on turbochargers for my Audi and where can I get one. Answer: I would have to agree with your friends and the mechanics that you have spoken to that a supercharger is the best way to go for more power. Since you are looking for a Nissan Supercharger I would recommend checking out superchargerpros.com for more information and purchasing your supercharger. They have a Toll Free number and staff standing by ready to assist you. And the pricing is comparable to others. I am considering installing a pontiac supercharger on my firebird.

Pontiac Grand Am is running on only two cylinders

Question: 2001 Pontiac Grand Am is running on only two cylinders...the mechanic I use has tried to replace the coil but it didn't help...he doesn't have the equipment to diagnose...but I feel sure he could fix it if he knew where to go next... Already Tried: replacing the coil...I don't really know what else he did...but the coil didn't fix it...and I had it replaced about 2 years ago so I don't know that it was the problem to begin with...but my mechanic doesn't have the computer diagnostics to figure out where to go next...please give me all options and opinions as to what else the problem might be...it will save me trying to drive it 15 miles (which is might not make) to get to a place that has the computer diagnostics to figure it out... Answer: This system uses both cylinders for the spark in each. If the plug or wire for one set of plugs on a coil is bad, the other won't fire. Change to plugs and wires for the cylinders that are not firing as that is an inexpensive attempt. If that does not do it, the Ignition module is the problem. I strongly suspect the module myself.

Bypass the GM Security no start issue

Many GM Vehicles have a little metal chip in the key. This means your car is equipped with GM's anti-theft device called VATS ( Vehicle Anti Theft System ). How it Works: Inside the Ignition Key Cylinder are two very tiny wires that connect on either side of the chip when the key is inserted. This allows a signal from the engines computer to travel through the chip in the key and then start the vehicle. The Problem: These two tiny wires tend to get bridle and break and the contact points that touch the key also become worn and no longer carry the signal. Bypass procedure: What you need to do is use a multi-meter and measure the ohms of resistance of the chip from one side to the other. (thats right, the chip is just a resistor). Once you have the measurement, take yourself over to Radio Shack and buy one for around $1.29. Look below the column for this 2 tiny wires and expose them(you do not need to take the column apart) Install the resistor and you are good to go.

Where is the fuel pump wiring harness on a 2005 Pontiac GTO?

QUESTION: Where is the fuel pump wiring harness on a 2005 Pontiac GTO? I need to know the location and how to get to the fuel pump wiring harness. ANSWER: here is a picture of the electrical connector that goes to the harness. The harness in enclosed in the 2 piece cover that surrounds the fuel tank.

My key will not shut off all the way

Question: I am a young mechanic and my key will not shut off all the way and release from the ignition in my 2004 Pontiac Aztek I have already tested relays and replaced the shift interlock can you tell me what is going on please? Answer: If you look under the ignition on the column you will see a little hole with a rubber plug in it. Remove the plug and if you stick a small screwdriver up in that hole you should be able to get the keys to release. That hole is there for a manual key release. A hint of what to check, there could be damaged wires going to the gear selector in the center console. Or the ignition switch itself could be the problem. This is a very common problem, and the fixes vary from wiring to ignition switches to dealers wanting to replace entire columns. Good luck but the manual release should get you going for now.

Now the car is at home and won't start

Question: My girlfriend has a 1999 Pontiac Grand-am, the upper radiator hose went on it. We had it towed to a garage and repaired. Now the car is at home and won''t start. How do I reset the security system, or disable it. Already Tried: Locking and unlocking the doors! Answer: Disconnect the battery. Insert the correct ignition key and turn the key to the "ON" position (not start). Then with the key left in the "ON" position, connect the battery. It is now reset. If you turn the key to start and nothing happens, it is not from the security system. The security system just turns off the fuel, so the engine would still crank over. If it is not cranking over. You will need to make sure you have a good battery (out of a car that does start) Just because the radio and lights work, does not mean it has enough juice to turn over the starter.