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Pontiac Sunfire Starting and Stalling Problems

304 messages,  Last post on May 10, 2013 at 2:05 PM

You are in the Pontiac Sunfire Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Sunfire, Coupe, Convertible

Messages Page 21 of 32

#193 of 304 Re: 2000 Pontiac 2.4 is missing when I accelerate- especially going up a hill [19amy82] by mark49

Mar 03, 2009 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: 19amy82 (Mar 03, 2009 4:26 pm)
When you had the spark plugs replaced, did you do them yourself? If you replaced them yourself, did you gap them? These cars use platinum spark plugs , which are usually about $6.25 each. They are supposed to be gapped already but don't rely on that. I bought a set that wasn't gapped. Get a gapper, usually about $1.00. take each spark plug out one at a time and REMOVE ONLY 1 WIRE AT A TIME. if they are gapped to big slighty tap the plug, hook side down on a hard , clean surface. Then run it through the gapper till it's where it needs to be. (repeat tapping if you have to)
 
     If i'm not mistaken the gap should be 0.85 but don't quote me on that. Check each plug Check under the hood for the gap settings for the spark plug. If you cannot find it call autozone, murray's , pep boys or your local mechanic and ask for the gap settings for 2000 pontiac sunfire 2.4 engine.
 
 If you replaced the wires, did you replace them one at a time, starting with the longest? Always start with longest to shortest and one at a time. Did you strip the hole the spark plug goes into. If you did, you will have to take it to a mechanic and have that hole rethreaded. I stripped mine and my car did the same thing hard to accelrate up hill I had to smash the pedal to the floor.
 
I got curious and checked the plugs , come to find out, I stripped the hole. Sounds to me like it is missing because of either the wires or the plugs. If you replaced the wires yourself(no mechanic involved) you should double check them and make sure you have them from longest to shortest comming from the spark plug hole to the coil. If they are off even one wire, that can cause missfiring and hesistation. If the spark plugs aren't gapped right or even if one is off, it can cause your symptoms too.
 
Is your airfilter hose attached tightly? Check to make sure that is clamped down to the airfilter housing next to the battery(on my 1996 sunfire it's next to battery). I hope some of this helps sorry so in-dept but I like to help if I can.

#194 of 304 Re: 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 2.2l won't start [darcin] by debnb

Mar 04, 2009 (7:56 am)

Replying to: darcin (Mar 02, 2009 4:29 pm)
Good Morning
 
After my husband spent about 2 weeks chasing the problem it turned out to be a wire. Apparently because the computer is located up under the front right inner fender it is a common problem in this car where if you hit say a snow bank or whatever it damages the inner fender and can leave the computer exposed to the weather and in turn causes corusin to the wires
So when he removed the inner fender to get to the computer he tested the wires and on our sons car it turned out that there was a orange wire running to the computer that was corroded he simply cut a piece of the wire put it back together and the car has worked great since.
How his problem started was at first it would not idle - then it would stall - and was real slugglish. Most of the lights on the dash would come on - then eventually it would not go at all.

#195 of 304 Re: 2000 Pontiac 2.4 is missing when I accelerate- especially going up a hill [mark49] by 19amy82

Mar 04, 2009 (6:29 pm)

Replying to: mark49 (Mar 03, 2009 7:21 pm)
Thank you both so much for your help! I am going to the mechanic with this and I'll keep the board posted on what I find out. Luckily for me the mechanic is getting pissed off at the problem and won't stop until he figures out what is wrong with it! He's also very reasonable, so I hoping this won't cost too much!
 
Thanks again y'all!

#196 of 304 Re: 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 2.2l won't start [debnb] by darcin

Mar 05, 2009 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: debnb (Mar 04, 2009 7:56 am)
Before the car would stall did it rev high while stopped or in park?
I can drive the car for a few blocks then when I'm stopped(usually) it will rev high.
As I try to get my car back home everytime I slow down to turn a corner or coming to a light it will stall.And I have to have the car in netural or it will just keep stalling the minute I take my foot off the brake to put it into drive.
My fuel pressure is fine.My throttle is not sticking.I had the map sensor changed.
Mech. said he checked for leaks in the hoses. I dont know what else to do I cant drive the car anymore.

#197 of 304 Re: 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 2.2l won't start [darcin] by debnb

Mar 06, 2009 (3:24 am)

Replying to: darcin (Mar 05, 2009 3:05 pm)
Yes it would quit often rev high before it would stall. Get your mechanic to check the wires going to the computer sounds like the same problem my son had. Sounds like one could be corroded Its worth a shot that is all that was wrong with my sons car. His car has been running fine. Hopefully it is that easy for you

#198 of 304 Sunfire will be on fire pretty soon... by karleighskar

Mar 07, 2009 (7:56 pm)

I have a 2000 Sunfire Gt, with about 200,000 km on it. It will stall while I am driving.. First two times it happened it started right away. Third time, wouldn't start ($50 tow bill) Fourth time ($50) Fifth time ($50) (should of got CAA by this point) I have spent almost $1000 in repairs..new coil pack, the whole housing over the coils, new spark plugs, new alternator, new battery, new fuel pump, tune-up..etc.. Still cannot figure out whats wrong with it..The dome lamp keeps coming on (the one you have to push to turn on) just the one though, and it seems at time I get less power and its not very responsive when I accelerate or when it shifts gears it seems to be shifting at longer intervals..Help me, I hate this god damn car but I need to get to my job I also hate...

#199 of 304 Starting Problem - intermittant by markamooresr

Mar 10, 2009 (9:32 am)

I have a 2002 Sunfire. Out of the blue it will not start. It will turn over but not start. Sometimes I unhook the negative battery cable to re-set something and sometimes that works, sometimes it does'nt work right away. It will sit for a while then start. I don't know!!! I do not hear the fuel pump when I have this issue. Is it the ignition swith, a relay, a module???? Anyone have input on this one??
Thanks!
Mark

#200 of 304 2000 sunfire will not start by courtleigh2

Mar 11, 2009 (8:15 am)

2 weeks ago my husband replaced the fuel pump for the FOURTH time in this car. it ran fine, and now it won't start. he is at a loss as to what it can be. the car is turning over, just won't start, you can hear the fuel pump coming on. it is working. he is wondering if there is something electrical going on, or if it could be the oil sending unit. i really don't know that much about cars, so i may not be explaining this too well, but i am desperate to get this car running again, even if it is to just get something out of it on trade in. he has changed the fuel filter also. please, any thoughts? if you need more info on the problem, i'll have him post back to answer you. thanks so much .

#201 of 304 Re: Starting Problem - intermittant [markamooresr] by mark49

Mar 12, 2009 (3:32 am)

Replying to: markamooresr (Mar 10, 2009 9:32 am)
start from fuel tank make sure no object is blocking the fuel pickup.then i would make sure fuel pump holds correct pressure

#202 of 304 Re: 2000 sunfire will not start [courtleigh2] by debnb

Mar 12, 2009 (5:56 am)

Replying to: courtleigh2 (Mar 11, 2009 8:15 am)
similar to my sons car was turning over could hear the fuel pump but would not start. Our problem turned out to be a corroded wire going to the computer that is located under the right front inner fender. There was an orange wire running to the computer when he disconnected it - it turned out to be corroded he cut the bad piece off put it back together and car turned over first try.

Messages Page 21 of 32

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