1998 Pontiac Bonneville Electrical system Problems

“About a week prior to incident, I got a whiff of a burning smell, 2 days in a row, short quick scent. Next 4 days, smelled nothing (even drove car 80 miles one way and back). Day of incident, I was traveling about 10 MPH when white smoke came from the heater vent. I increased speed to about 30 MPH to get to a safe spot, and black smoke billowed out of heat vent on top of dashboard, and front of dashboard. Turned corner to get out of traffic, came to a stop and flames shot out of cigarette lighter, and air vent in front of dash. …”

“This car has had very good care/maintenance, has not been driven hard, and has only 67,000 miles on it. While driving down a city street, approximately 35 MPH, the car began to sputter. I pulled in to a parking lot and shut the car off so that I could look at the spark plug wires. I had a spark plug wire loose when this happened once before. I had no over temp, I had normal oil pressure and there was no check engine light illuminated. I did not find a noticeable problem, but I could not get the engine to start again. I had it towed home. …”

“Had tune-up and regulators changed (based on recall) on 7/19/04. Then on 7/22/04 smoke emitting from exhaust and then car would not start. Car towed and repaired (manifold cracked). On 7/26/04 car taken from shop, 2 hrs later car would not start again. This time claimed starter was the problem. Consequences: over $1,500 in repairs.”

“1998 Pontiac Bonneville - on numreous occasions the vehicle has stalled for no apparent reason. Sometimes while moving, other times at stop signs or stoplights. Warm and cold weather. Warm and cold engine. The dealer has had it on the diagnostic machnies and even hooked up a recorder to record conditions when the stalls occur, but still no answers.”

“Dash and rear light switch have blown for 2 years in a row after around thanksgiving/christmas time forcing me to drive home with no dash or rear taillights. $150.00 repair.”