Why wont my 97 Pontiac sunfire start ?

Asked by tjulio Mar 05, 2014 at 08:59 PM about the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

So I used my car one day then I
didn't use it at all the next day.. the
day after I wad gonna go somewhere
but my car steering wheel was trippin
out on me.. it was too hard to turn
the wheel I only moved it a lil bit
forward then it stopped.. I checked
the engine & my drive belt had fallen
off.. I replaced it with a brand new
one & still it wont start.. the lights
turn on but not the engine or stereo
either..

1 Answer

1,100

WONT START MEANS ITS NOT TURNING OVER: Your battery probably needs charged from running the car without a belt on the alternator. WONT START MEANS ITS TURNING OVER, BUT NOT STARTING: Your problem is either fuel not reaching the engine or electrical problems within the engine wiring. Check the engine first...the belt flipping off may have knocked off an electrical connection or a vacuum line. If you don't find anything, shoot a 2 or 3 second burst of starting fluid into the air intake and try to start the engine. If you have a fuel problem the engine should start and run a few seconds from the starting fluid. If it is an electrical problem, the starting fluid will make no difference at all. Fuel problems could be a clogged fuel filter, bad fuel pump, clogged fuel line, or bad tank sensor that has let you run out of gas. Electrical could be a bad coil or coil pack or a short in the ignition system....Good luck.

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