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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 29 of 31

#275 of 304 Having starting problems by jphoenix151

May 01, 2011 (9:36 am)

I have a 2005 pontiac sunfire and I just had a problem with it that I can't figure out. I try to start the car and nothing not even a single sound no clicking anything then, I notice that it only started when I held the brake in. I know that it's not the battery as I just replace it.
If any one can give any Idea I would very much Appreciate it.

#276 of 304 96 Sunfire's been very reliable by bigj8

May 18, 2011 (1:10 pm)

2.2 Standard Coupe - 260,000 miles so far - bot it new in Oct 95 and besides the standard tires, battery, plugs, brakes and oil changes this is all I've done:
 
Alternator and serpentine belt at 96K
Fuel Pump at 226K
 
The horn and A/C stopped working but I never had fixed as my middle finger functions as a horn and it's cool as I live in the mountains.
 
Original clutch still functions perfectly. I've never flushed or replaced the coolant or the manual transmission fluid (manual says never do this).
 
Just bot a 97 Sunfire automatic sedan with a 2.2 engine at a yard sale for $200. Only has 85K on it, but has the infamous Head Gasket problem. Hope it pays off.

#277 of 304 Re: 96 Sunfire's been very reliable [bigj8] by bigj8

May 18, 2011 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: bigj8 (May 18, 2011 1:10 pm)
Forgot to mention I consistently get 32 to 36 mpg and even scored 40 on a long road trip.

#278 of 304 Re: 96 Sunfire's been very reliable [bigj8] by slackerman

May 18, 2011 (5:11 pm)

Replying to: bigj8 (May 18, 2011 1:12 pm)
My '96 Sunfire convertible has just over 148,000 miles. 2.4L, manual transmission, and the AC still works. But I have changed the fluids. It's a great car, fun to drive, and people still tell me it looks sharp.

#279 of 304 Sunfire stopped while driving by alvii89

Jun 29, 2011 (6:23 pm)

My 2000 sunfire died while i was still driving, so I replaced the fuel pump and it still wont start we cannot figure out the problem any advice or suggestions would be well apprieciated.

#280 of 304 Re: Sunfire stopped while driving [alvii89] by slackerman

Jul 03, 2011 (1:54 pm)

Replying to: alvii89 (Jun 29, 2011 6:23 pm)
Same thing happened to me at highway speed in my 1996 Sunfire 2000. Mechanic couldn't find anything except a weak battery. Replaced the battery and it hasn't happened since...
 
...Yes, I know the battery shouldn't have had any affect at highway speed, but the solution worked and that was ten years ago.

#281 of 304 Re: 95 pontiac sunfire [cpelis] by dac8365

Sep 23, 2011 (6:25 pm)

Replying to: cpelis (May 21, 2010 11:03 am)
Have your catalytic converter checked. When they plug up it chokes the engine, especially as the car gets hotter.

#282 of 304 Wiring Issue by amyb102

Oct 09, 2011 (4:07 pm)

Hi! I have a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire sedan. It has 127000miles. The car runs perfectly except for this wierd wiring issue that recently began. I will turn the key and none of the accessories (gages, radio, or lights) will come on, the car starts and immediately shuts off. My husband jiggles the wire and it will start, however I haven't got the magic touch like he does and really want my car to start normally. It doesn't happen all the time but there is a 50/50 chance it will. Sometimes the accessories will stop working while I am driving but the car keeps running. We know it's the wiring or the terminal but not a clue how to fix it? Any ideas? We do not have a lot of money and hoping this is something we can do without a mechanic or if it as a simple as getting a new wiring harness or ignition wiring or something..

#283 of 304 Re: Wiring Issue [amyb102] by claires HOST

Oct 09, 2011 (11:23 pm)

Replying to: amyb102 (Oct 09, 2011 4:07 pm)
amyb102, one of our members wrote a great post a couple of years ago about checking for electrical problems -- he wound up with a pretty cheap fix. Not sure if his solutions will work for you, but here's the post:
 
Many Many Many Things
 
ClaireS, Host
Automotive News & Views | Coupes & Convertibles

#284 of 304 Fix stalling 2000 Sunfire by good2go2

Oct 21, 2011 (4:09 pm)

My Sunfire used to die warming up(closed loop) or driving at normal temp(open loop). Many parts were changed. Even searched edmunds. The fix was found after a fuel pump that did not correct it. the mechanic tilted the steering wheel and it died. He got it started after several attempts and it died again. he took the cover of the bottom of the column and found the SOLUTION. The factory did a recall on the ignition I believe and rezipptied with a very tight tie in the wireharness going up the column. THIS PULLS THE WIRES TO TIGHT. hot and cold make them pull out of the ignition. it is like shutting of the key. the engine stops gages sometimes stop. the car dies at highway speed. He cut the zip tie that pulls the wires tight to the column and let them hang by connection. He also disconnected the ignition switch at the harness to push the connections from the wires back in with the batery disconnected so it would not short out when reconnected. One year latter no problems Cost to fix remove 3 little bolts, cut bulky wire zip tie. and push wires it switch.

Messages Page 29 of 31

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