My 2001 4 cyc Grand Am has started hesitating when I start it, it sometimes stalls when I start it, and rattles a bit when I drive. This has just started and I need any adice to finding out what is wrong with it. Thank you for your help.

could you connect an OBD-II scanner what would tell us what is going on here?

I don't have one but if it would be handy for my car and repairs I could get one.

I just saw a post about people having issues with the dash clicking in the Grand Am cars. My car has been doing this for over a year and now the blinker does work sometimes. If I turn the blinker one and the hazards lights on at the same time most of the time the blinker will work again. I have always been told at the sop that it is fine, and nothing to worry about. I'm a little worried now.

check your battery....check the age...there are knockoff labels indicating the date of the first charge...if older than five, get a new one...assure the end of the black cable what connects to the chassis/ground has a good connection and is happy with pulling at least 300 CCA~ with solid ground your dash troubles may disappear~

...use a wirebrush...make it nice and shiny and happy with pullin' the big amps...the fat ole' 1/0 cable goin' to the motor block attached to the spot near the alternator and going to the chassis ground is also important....use a wirebrush to insure the 300 cold cranking amps will go thru~

The battery is not the issue. I just bought it, and I know about the dates. It is only 2 years old. I did go down and double check it and it fine. I will have the autozone double check it for me when I go there today just to be safe. I was told by a car guy that it may be the water pump, but my car has never over-heated. He said it may also be the alternator.

wow...that's a flight...your waterpump would begin dripping from the "weep" hole put there so you know will be self-destructing if not mended~ the alternator should be putting out 14.5-15.5 volts and a variable (depending on your battery needs) amperage up to 30 amps~ (headlights...etc)~ should not be a concern unless your battery is found DOA~

Did anyone consider the accessories belt tensioner...is on a spring loaded arm with an idler pulley at the end...wears and could be the source of your scary sounds~

Doesn't still have V-belts...think that they are all FLAT belts...yes it has a tensioner...and YES they get squaggeley and cause problems...consider a new arm with pulley...and new flat belt~

No one has mention any belts. I will have to remember that and ask when I take it in to the shop. I appricate your help. Thank you. If you think of anything else I welcome it. I won't stop until it is fixed and safe.

I might consider a second ground cable (in addition to your present 1/0 cable) running from battery to firewall, just to be certain the instrument/dash is getting the ground it needs~

...okay, researching, I am WRONG about the arm this one's got an eccentric on a cast piece----here's what's goin' down in the city~

..well it is an arm...albeit a short one...good idea to replace this wear item~

look at those prices...this is boilerplate work here~

No rust. I live down near Mexico. Very hot and dry. The heat does seems to make the car run harder. The ac works great though

What is the second ground wire cable? I am not familiar with some part names

What does the belt tensioner do?

the flat belt only needs a certain amount of force to do it's job, the tensioner assures that there is enough force so the belt doesn't slip or squeal~

well if the grounding from your current spot isn't making it's way up to the instrument panel was merely suggesting we don't fight that connection anymore but instead provide a second wire from the battery to the firewall...a kind of creative way to insure the instrument panel is gettiing the ground it needs....but if the grounding is sufficient....forget this then~