Any good gas mechanics on here?

[SmokeShow]

I have a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire. It had a bad engine so a salvage yard replacement was swapped in. It's a 2.2L (I think, I'm struggling to remember for sure though) I-4 cyl. with auto tranny.

Here's the deal, ever since I bought the darn thing its had this issue - it will sputter a bit and just shut off. Let me explain some more. This issue is brought on by increased ECT. It doesn't over heat, but at a certain temp. (not sure what it is because the gauge is just an indicator, no numbers) the trouble starts and it shuts down. For instance, in stop and go traffic. ECT will still be in the normal operating range based on the gauge but if I can't keep the car moving (air blowing through the radiator) it will get to whatever temperature and cause the car to stalll out. It rarely, if ever, does this in the winter time, therefore I only drove the car in the winters.

It acts like a vapor lock situation but I can't see where that would be happening from a visual inspection. I had looked into this over a year ago and it was suggested that some electrical gizmo was getting too hot and malfunctioning - it has slipped my mind what that part was or controlled at this time. I do know that when the car stalls, the gauges will go all screw balled as well. Explanation: the speedometer will rapidly fluctuate between 0 and pegged out.

Final tid bit of info. If allowed to cool off (ECT), it will then start back up and go on perfect as you please. I have changed the fuel filter. And like I said, until the ECT gets up to this endesirable temperature, it runs like an absolute top.


I'd really like to get this little car going reliably again because it gets good fuel mileage and keeps miles off the truck. So, any good mechanics out there have any idea where to start?

 

[duramaxin14]

Mitch sounds like the coil is bad. If it were me I would install new spark plugs, new plug wires, a new distributer cap, pick up coil and change the fuel filter's. Gas motors need spark to run properly. Go ahead and replace the coil, i'm sure thats where you will find the problem.

 

[Stingpuller]

Cars

When it gets hot and shuts off pull a ing. wire and put a spare spark plug in it and see if it has fire. It sounds like (maybe) a ing. module. Maybe a crank sensor aswell. You need a scan tool to see what you don't have when it acts up. Jeff

 

[MAXLLY]

My brother is a 22 year mechanic, knows his stuff, runs his own shop. Works on everything from diesels to hondas.

He can't reply (not a member), but he says replace the crank shaft position sensor on the back of the motor, it's tough to get to. This may also require you to buy a coil pack. He says this is a common problem for this make as well as the Saturns.

Good luck.

 

[LBZ]

Is anything nowadays NOT hard to get too??

 

[SmokeShow]

My brother is a 22 year mechanic, knows his stuff, runs his own shop. Works on everything from diesels to hondas.

He can't reply (not a member), but he says replace the crank shaft position sensor on the back of the motor, it's tough to get to. This may also require you to buy a coil pack. He says this is a common problem for this make as well as the Saturns.

Good luck.

:rockon: :hail2: :beer

Freakin a! That's awesome. Now that you mentioned it, the coil pack is what was mentioned previously as the problem. If your bro. says crank shaft position sensor, then by god, I'll be looking into getting one!! Not worried about hard to get to, so long as I know what it is I'm supposed to be getting to.

Thanks a LOT. That saved me a hundred bucks just on the diagnosis. Now to get a fresh battery on the thing so I can at least get it started back up again from sitting all summer.


C-ya

 

[MAXLLY]

glad your pumped man! In a meek voice i must say i hope it's right. In that we/he never saw or heard the car. This is based on what was said and what he has seen come through the shop. Not coppin' out... just hope it fixes it otherwise I look like a turd.

My fingers are crossed, good luck!