1998 sunfire stopped and won't start back up
Asked by striker12300 Dec 30, 2014 at 10:24 AM about the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire 2 Dr SE Convertible
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
It has spark to all 4 cylinders. I can smell gas after trying to start(1st try with foot off
pedal, 2nd try with pedal to the floor. Repeat.) I can hear the fuel pump whine when turning
on. I did a compression check. #1 - 120, #2 - 110, #3 & 4 - 130. What should my next
move be? Timing chain? Head gasket? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
7 Answers
striker12300 answered 9 years ago
Ok, here's what I got. The car was overheating when it stopped running. I just put a code reader on and it gave me 5 codes. P0117-Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Circuit Low, P0125-Insufficient Coolant Temperature For Closed Loop Fuel Control, P0140 - 02 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank 1 Sensor 2 P0141 - O2 Sensor Heater Circuit (Bank1, Sensor2 P0335.-Crankshaft Position Sensor 'A' Circui
striker12300 answered 9 years ago
well I got the crank position sensor changed after 5 1/2 or 6 hours{yes, I broke the top off}. Still wouldn't start. I erased and rechecked the codes but now it shows none, I rechecked the plug wires and have plenty of spark, I never actually checked anything with the fuel. I did check the relay at the fuse box and was getting 12 volts. Should I replace fuel filter? Check the injectors? Can I check the fuel pump without removing it?
striker12300 answered 9 years ago
Wow. it's been 3 weeks already? 1st of all. thanks for the help so far Jim. As you can tell the car hasn't been a top priority, until now. I checked the relay and it was good. I have power to the relay. I replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter. Unfortunately the fuel return line got a kink in it while trying to connect it. I tried to start it anyway and it ran eally rough for about 10 seconds and quit. It ran long enough to give me a 0452 code. Found out the kinked hose could cause it so I replaced the kinked part of it with a piece of fuel line and hose clamps. But it still won't start. It keeps sounding like it wants to start but just won't. Any more suggests? Thanks again for the help.
striker12300 answered 9 years ago
Could that cause a no start? Could the kinked return line cause it?
striker12300 answered 9 years ago
Ya. that's gonna be difficult. There's no Schroeder valve on these cars. I read somewhere that you have to disconnect the supply line from the rail and tee into it. Actually disconnect it from the pressure regulator. But if I have to do it then I'll do it. I'm at work but when I get home I'll see what I can find out. Thanks.
striker12300 answered 9 years ago
Well, I've about given up on checking the fuel pressure. I can't find a fitting that will fit in the fuel line by the rail. 5/16 is too small and 3/8 is too big. And the fuel filter is the same size. All the lines from the pump look good. When I disconnected the fuel line from the rail, gas poured out of it so it's getting there. Just don't know the pressure. I did do a noid light test and all the fuel injector connections are good. From what I understand if there is no gas coming from the pressure regulator when the line is removed than it's good. And there is none.
striker12300 answered 9 years ago
Well I was able to do some jimmy rigging and hook the fuel pressure gauge up. I turned the key on and off 3 times to let the pressure build and it topped out at 42. I had to leave for work so I couldn't do a leak check. I have read about the theft protection might be the culprit, but can that be ruled out because the connector for the fuel injectors flashed when I checked them.