Is it my Sunfire's computer?

Asked by TARDISDreams Oct 23, 2012 at 02:24 PM about the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

A family member of mine decided to do me a favor and wash all the bugs off the engine of my 2004
Pontiac Sunfire and now I have a problem. I was on my way to work a couple days after the wash and
I had my stereo on lisening to a CD, however 20 to 30 minutes into my drive I notice a strange sound
from my speakers kinda like feedback from an amp. I turned the music up thinking I blew another set
of speakers, but the sound got louder and when I tried to turn off the stereo it continued even after
the stereo was off. I went and bought another stereo thinking that the factory set was toast, installed
the new one and tried again...at first it didn't make the sound but when I turned the music up to a
certain point it happened again! I turned the car off and it continued! My car does have a cut off
feature that once the drivers door is opened the stereo turns off automatically, so the sound did stop
when I opened my drivers door...but what is the issue? A friend told me that my family member who
washed the engine may have accidentally washed the computer that sits against the firewall on the
passengers side above the fender and now there is a contact that's either corroded or bad...I have
also been told that the computer is fried and something is a miss...Please help me, I don't know what
to do? The car runs Perfectly except for the occasional time when it rains the speedometer gauge will
shoot up to 220kph on the dial and stay there no matter what speed I am actually going, and you
have to turn the car on and off several times to reset the silly thing. Does it matter that I have a
Manual transmission?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Cheers,
Lee

1 Answer

Toroautogroup answered 12 years ago

I would have to disagree with the claims that the ECM is bad. If the computer is fried, most likely you would have driveability concerns related to the engine. The radio is powered from the junction box underneath the kick panel on the driver's side. some are even controlled through the body control module as well. I would say that washing the engine didnt cause the abnormal noise you hear from the radio, but what i do suggest is checking your grounds in the engine bay to make sure they are properly seated. loosen them up clean them with a solution like brake cleaner. scrape them with a wire brush and tighten them up.

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

  • Is it my Sunfire's computer? 1 Answer

    A family member of mine decided to do me a favor and wash all the bugs off the engine of my 2004 Pontiac Sunfire and now I have a problem. I was on my way to work a couple days after the wash and I ...

    2004 Pontiac Sunfire

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Is It My Engine Control Module 1 Answer

    My 2000 Pontiac Sunfire is on the charger all the time ,then i take it off and go some where turn it on and off three times then it doesn't start till i jump it . its not charging and i replaced abo...

    2000 Pontiac Sunfire SE

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • my 01 sunfire has a problem but no code is being sent to the computer 2 Answers

    ive owned this car for bout 3 years now and this is a new problem for me no matter if the car is hot or cold when i push on the gas pedal at first or even when i push it lightly to keep the car at the...

    2001 Pontiac Sunfire SE

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Sunfire's interior lights don't work. 4 Answers

    The dash lights, radio lights, odometer light and tail lights on my 2000 pontiac Sunfire don't work. The brake lights do. How do I fix this?

    2000 Pontiac Sunfire SE

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • My sunfire was leaking a brownish gassy smelling fluid by the driver side rear wheel is it brake fluid? Or tranny fluid mixed with gas? 4 Answers

    My car is a 97 but with a 98 engine in it! II just bought it yesterday knowing it was a bit of a fixer upper. I have to replace the heater fan and coil as it was removed from the car. Then I have to r...

    1997 Pontiac Sunfire 2 Dr GT Coupe

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

Shortcuts

Search Pontiac Sunfire Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    John Saffrahn
    Reputation
    4,300
  • #2
    Joeyadams
    Reputation
    1,610
  • #3
    Warren0007
    Reputation
    1,390
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.