Pontiac Sunfire

pink_crayons

Does anybody know if you can put a bumper from a 2003 sunfire onto a 1998 body? Id really like to know

kcchiefsfan

I have a '98 Sunfire. Recently it seems to be slipping out of gear. I'm not sure if that is a sign that the transmission is going out (whatever that means) or maybe the clutch is bad. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm not very car savvy so Barney style would be great if you could help.
Thank you!

alpharecon91

I just picked up a repair book for the sunfire (advanced auto parts) maybe this will help you diagnose your problem. it says trouble shooting...slips out of gear:
1. worn or improperly adjusted linkage 2. trany loose on engine 3.shift linkage does not work freely, binds 4. input gear bearing retainer broken or loose 5. dirt between clutch cover and engine housing 6. worn shift fork. good luck hope i helped if you find the problem the repair manual will help you to fix it but thats up to you if you want to get it or not.

ncooper1

Pontiac sunfire 2000
When I start the car and start to give it gas the car sounds like it is an electric car. This whirring sound is more of an annoyance than a real problem. What can I check...better yet what should I check? THanks
:confuse:

fawlty317

i recently bought a 96 sunfire and i done know much about it yet but the check engine light recently came on, it could be the sensor thats in the manifold, i had to heat up a bolt to try and get it out and i may have fried the sensor too. my question is would that sensor cause the car to idle rough at low rpms? it seems like its running way too rich now, theres a bit of black smoke that comes out and a little bit of black flecks. i know its not oil though. when i rev it high it smooths out but even when cruising on the highway at lower rpms it will run a bit rough, but downshifting and gunning it clears it right up. anyways might that be the problem or something else? any help would be great

dan4093

I just purchased a 96 Sunfire Coupe. After turning on the heat there was a strong smell of antifreeze. It doesn't appear to be leaking it anywhere. Has anyone else had this issue, or have any ideas what might be causing this smell?

Dan

dan4093

It could be the Oxygen sensor. I would bring it to an Auto Zone or Advance Auto parts and have them read the fault code. (Engine light code)

kcchiefsfan

Thanks for your help. We finally found out what was wrong. After taking our car in for a routine oil change, we found out that the last place we took it to (Walmart) for an oil change, added too much oil...4 quarts too much. That is what previously caused our water pump to go out and dump the coolant, which in turn made the transmission fluid to leak out being too hot. Long story short, we were completely out of transmission fluid. So, it cost us $14 ($1 for the recycling of the oil, and $13 to refill the trasmission fluid). Once again, thank everyone for their help.
*signed*
RELIEVED

cliffw

I need to know what make/model/years I can use to get my 96 Sunfire GT back on the road. The transmission has died on me. I want to swap out a tranny. I know the 96 2.2 used a type 4T40E, same as the 2.4 but the stock number is different.

rde0421

My 02 sunfire overheats slightly only when I stop or restart the car. If I put it in park it cools right back down. Thinking thermostat??? Would you agree?
Also, When I come to a stop, I get a loud clunking sound coming from under the front end. Have any ideas on what it could be??

rad82

My wife has a 04 Sunfire with about 65,000 miles. We recently took it to a body shop to have some exterior work done. When we got it back she turned the a/c on and was vibratioin very badley(the higher the fan setting, the louder the vibration.) Im assuming this is the blower motor. Am I right, if so, price to have replaced or trouble doing it yourself? Any advice, tips would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,

dmadman

I have know back breaks but I have front.I took the lines of the ABS Hydraulic Assembly and I cant get any fluid out to the back breaks but the front seem to work fine.Any help would be greatley appreciated. :sick:

phantompoetett

I have a 97 Pontiac Sunfire with approximately 125k miles. I am completely car illiterate, but would like some friendly advice before getting swindled by a costly mechanic. About a week ago, it became very difficult to move the shifter into any gear. I really have to stomp on the pedal to get it to switch gears. I can't hear any particularly uncommon sounds or smell anything either. I just have no idea what's going on! Please help :confuse:

davidk22199

The handbook that I got with my 2000 sunfire does not recommend towing, anyone pull anything with theirs and how much weight, thanks, Dave

gearr

My wife has a 05 sunfire and when it is cold out (below 40) the fuel gauge will stick on the E but when it warms up and she turns it off and restarts it it is ok.
can anyone help ???
Gearr

alpharecon91

got no reverse lights people any ideas? first i thought maybe it was a fuse but i cant find a fuse for the back up lights. the only thing i can think of is maybe a short?

probman

have 98 sunfire 2.4, am hearing they die around 95k, anyone heard same thing or experienced same?

ncooper1

Not true mines running just great at 133k. Started with 76k have spent a total of $700 in maintaining it over a 5yr span. Maintenance included an electrical problem in CPU, new power steering pump cable, and a fixed clog in my fuel injector. Other than that my has been great to me. Take care of it and it will take care of you!!!!

ncooper1

Three things to check. First Alternator,listen for a whirring sound. Then check power steering pump and cable. Otherwise if it is a constant whirring then it is coming from the fuel pump.

In this Case I know it is the power steering pump cable. The cable needed to be replaced. As I drove faster the whirring seemed to be proportional to my acceleration. This is because as you travel at faster speeds you need to be able to control your car better so the power steering pump will increase it's pressure to allow you to turn the wheel with more ease. Just heads up though it cost me 200 for a silly cable!

ncooper1

never towed anything and don't imagine I would. I have the same engine and if I remember right it only puts 105hp out. So basically nothing bigger than a jet ski because then it will take you forever to get going and to stop. I know it can handle weight in the car itself. One time I put 5 200+ guys in it and though acceleration was poor the sunfire was okay.
Really it's at your own disgretion but I would recommend not doing so. Also consider the frame of the car, very light weght, can't withstand lots of added torque and tension of a trailer.

darkaine

I was just trying to get an idea what could be causing my car to leak coolant. I drive a 96 sunfire gt which has the quad four engine. It doesn't seem to be any hoses and it's near the back of the engine around the water pump. I just had that replaced a year ago, but it seems to be one of the likely candidates.

I noticed the other day that if I have the heat on at all while i'm driving it seems to leak then, if I leave it off when I park the car I can't see any leaks under the vehicle but after awhile there will be a ton of coolant under the car. So really it leaks either way but it seems to be accelerated if the heat is on. I also noticed the other day that the heat would only blow out warm when I was actually moving, but it was pretty much empty on coolant at that point so maybe that contributed.

I just wanted to try and get some ideas on what might be the cause. Thanks for any help

bpstrout

When gas prices went up, I bought two Sunfires, a 1998 5 speed, and a 2000 Auto. Last week, I started the 98 and started off to work. All the warning lights came on and the RPM gauge stopped working. When I got it home, I turned it off and restarted it. It would start and then die. So I let it sit and started driving my son's 2000. Today I'm cruising at 65mph and the engine dies and all the warning lights come on. I pull over, and it's the same as the 98. It starts, then dies and all the warning lights come on. I finally get it started and drive the 20 miles home, but it stops two other times with the same results. I've searched all overe the net and can't find anything. This has to be a common problem, or I just got lucky and have two Sunfires with the same problem. HELP! Thanks

alpharecon91

hi i have a 2000 Sunfire and i get some warning lights to (abs, service, trac off) the service light is a computer glitch (i couldnt find anything wrong and iv been told this by a couple of people who have the same car, took it into dealer said same thing) as for the car stalling in the middle of the road this could be something as simple as bad plugs, plug wires, air filter, gas filter, oil, oil filter change all of these see if it runs any better.

bpstrout

Thanks, but I can tell it's not certain things. This car has never even sputtered, runs perfect, and for it to die at 65mph with no warning is odd. Both the 98 and the 00 are making a noise that sounds like it's right behind the fuse box. It is louder when I turn the headlights on and off. So I'm thinking electrial, but with two Sunfires, two years apart doing the same thing, surely someone has come accross this before. Both of these cars were running as smooth as new, then all the warning lights come on, rpm gage dies, and engine shuts off????

alpharecon91

hi im thinking of buying a bra for the front of my sunfire. does anybody have a picture of one with a bra on it? i want to see what it looks like before i go spend the better part of a hundred dollars on it. thanks if u do have a pic you can either up load it on here or email it to me my email address is misfitsfan91@yahoo.com

jsak

ive had a couple of these 2.2s i personally would check where the ecm is cuz its not very protected make sure you got no bare wires there you might have to pull of all the loom and tape to check them i did that one time and found like 15 splices that were all bare and when it was wet out it ran like [non-permissible content removed] also check map sensor tps sensor and test all the circuits in the engine compartment fuse panel

running a 97 2dr cp 2.2 5sp 17s

aviator7

Ever since the weather changed and is very cold, there seems to be a rattle, not sure exactly were it is coming from. It can only be heard when driving slowly, no noise on the highway.

alpharecon91

iv heard a rattle on my sunfire that goes away on the high way, it was the serpentine belt.

bpstrout

Thanks for the response. On the 1998, that had all the warning lights, I found that the ground was bad. Once I fixed it, the car started up fine. Just the AirBag light stays on now. On the 2000, its one the side of the road now. It drives and runs as smooth as can be, never sputtered or ran rough. But, crusing again at 65mph, the engine just died. It will turnover, start then die within a second. Any ideas? Thanks

buske

I had a GM car that all the dash would go nuts. I found a broken ground wire on one of the Bellhousing bolts. thug on the wires a bit.

alpharecon91

There is a resistor for my fan blower that is bad, its behind the control panel for the heater/air conditioner (only works on high), the problem is i don't know what the hell im looking for. if anyone could either describe precisely where it is or a picture of it that would be really kool. Thanks

loco559

HI i also have the same problem I also have 2000 sunfire and i have all the same light on (abs, trac off service) I was wondering if you got it fix. I been told that it might be the ECBM. I had it scanned one of the code that came out said LOST ECBM.

speedysunfire

the same thing happened to my 04 pontiac sunfire, the problem is your reverse switch, located on the driver's side behind the tire, it is a plug that is on the back of the transmition facing the firewall, if you can't understand were i'm talking about e-mail me (speedysunfire@gmail.com) and i'll send you a picture, it's alot easier to show you in a picture than to describe were

bpstrout

The problem on the 98 was a ground next to the battery. It was loose and all the warning lights came on and it wouldn't start. I fixed the ground and everything works fine EXCEPT that the ABS and AIRBAG lights won't go off. The 2000 that was dying at 65mph turned out to be the fuel pump. Anyone have any ideas on how to get these lights off? It won't pass inspection with warning lights on. Thanks

alpharecon91

no i didn't get it fixed but now i know what to look for when i go to fix it. thanks.

alpharecon91

Thanks i already had it fixed tho, i couldn't find the problem my self, cost me the better part of 300 dollars they said everything basically just fell apart what ever the hell that means....I'm guessing that means i got taken for 300 dollars

gooduck

It happens on a long trip after about the first hour. I will be driving and all of a sudden the car goes into spasms of jerking or shuddering, and the only way to cure is to apply lots of gas. Too bad you cannot depress the gas pedal to the floor all the way to the destination, so it goes back to jerking. What might be the problem? Any idea?

alpharecon91

possibly/probably something to do with air getting to the engine EX: air filter, Mass air flow sensor, air intake

speedysunfire

I had a 99 ford escort that did that every once and a while when i was going about 45 mph, i changed the spark plugs and the coils and it didn't do it anymore, so what i would say is eithor the coil is bad if thats not it try unpluging the battery for a couple of minutes because cars now a days are all computers and unpluging the battery for a couple of minutes resets most of them that will reset most of the sensors as well

scty2

sounds like the tps is wore out it should throw up a code if thats it 90 percent of the time it will

tipsykea13

i got a 98 sunfire and it had a loose ground wire and is still loose but i have to stop freequently to tighten it cause my car starts shaking real bad and the dashboard goes crazy!! i was driving it one day and it quit accelerating and begin to slow down and shake! i pulled over thinkin maybe it needed oil! i got oil and cranked it up and drove it and immediatly it did the same thing! now it wont run period! i dont know what is wrong ive heard all types oif things like timing, the conveter , fuel pump which is a new one, to all kinds of things! any help will be greatly appericiated!! :sick: :sick:

dykstratom

I own a 2000 sunfire 2.2L and for a while now there has been a noise in the front end any time you accelerate from a stop and when you turn left. The Noise sounds like it is comming from the passenger side. I thought it might have been the CV joint but my mechanic ensures me it is ok. The noise has been there a while now and doesn't seem to be getting worse (or better for that matter). I brought it to a different mechanic and he says it is the motor mount twisting and making contact with the frame. Has anyone else heard of this? and if so how can i get it to stop.

tray21

I have a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire and the front cross frame has rusted through, Has anybody heard of this happening in only 7 years and has anybody heard of a recall on this part.
Thanks

jsak

take of the panel under your glove box

mikc

i have 3 sunfire coupes, 96, 97, 01. each has the same knock coming from the rear. is it a loose seat, shock, frame? etc. what gives? i can sense this knock with the slightest push down onm the car body, but can't tell where it's coming from. I can't be the only only.

jsak

2 of 8: SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR:CONTROL ARM
Recall Number: 98V319000
Dates Manufactured: JUN 1996 to MAR 1997
Number of Vehicles Affected: 27083
Date Owners Notified On: DEC 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.
Consequence of Defect:
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Corrective Action:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FASTENERS.

contact this number
Pontiac: 1-800-762-2737 (U.S.)
have your VIN handy there with you and they will tell you if there are any open recalls on your car sounds to me exactly like what they explained here i would definetly find out if there is and who knows you may get more free work than you hoped for and if there is no open recalls or that one(trailing arm bolt) i would look into the strut mount bearings

Claires

Hi, dirtrackponiac,

I've moved your post to the Sunfire Accessories & Modifications topic, where it might be answered more quickly. Just click the link to get there.

michelp

HI,have deal with the same problem for my 2001 sunfire gt and thank,s god i have found this ,very good mecanic have try to fix my car but without succes i was thinking of buying new parts and or take the whole throttle body,intake,computer etc..a part. but i have try this and bingo ..i want to say THANK YOU VERY MUTCH TO DGALLENG ,and i hope that his message will help other..http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/web- xicons/emotorcons/emo_wink.gif
wink.

dgalleng

Hey, this is great to hear that my fix for the High Idle helped someone else. If it is normal when you shift between gears now, then it should stay that way for good. As I said in my original post it took over 50 hours working on this until I got it figured out. The Sunfire GT was a fun car to drive, very quick and good on gas too!

I ended up selling it to my daughter (she fell it love with it), but was hit on the front end at an intersection when someone blew the stop sign. The Sunfire was written off, but no one was hurt.

I'm actually driving a 2003 Hyundai Accent now (not the same car at all), but it's a hatch so I can haul a lot of stuff around in it and still get great mileage.

Anyway, best of luck in driving your GT!

mrforeman

I have a 1996 sunfire and am putting poppers on and cant figure out how to remove outer door handle and latch.. could someone tell me how to do it..