96 Sunfire stalls for 15min, starts agian

This is a new problem my sunfire has come up with. I just got back from a ~1000mile trip around California so I know it can travel. When I was driving home, the engine just quit and all the dash lights came on. I tried to start it again and it would turn over fine but would not start. I waited about 10mins and tried it again. It started right up and I drove home. Two days later, I was driving and I stepped on it to pass someone and it died again. Not COOL! this time I tried starting it every 5mins or so and it would turn over fine but not start. I waited 15mins and it started right up again and I drove home. I have recently replaced the fuel filter so that's not it. Fuel pump? It's almost like it blows a circuit breaker that resets after a period. Anyone know about this? Had it happen? Thanks

I wish I knew what the problem with your sunfire was because I just bought a 97 sunfire convertible, beautiful car, but it has a similar problem. Only when it's cold, like first thing in the morining or after work, it will shut off if I don't let it warm up for atleast 5 minutes. I took it to the dealership and they don't believe me because it won't duplicate the problem for them because it's not cold after I drive and hour to get it there! IT also doesn't show any codes for them. Tomorrow I have to drive it there and drop it off so they can have it cold. Goodness! So aggrivating! I hope we both find out why our sunfires are doing this! Good Luck!
stefany

Sounds like a fuel pump, but I wouldn't run out and pop one in just yet, cause it also sounds like an ignition module (assuming 2.4L). Best way, if possible, is to put a fuel guage on it, see if the pressure falls off when the vehicle stalls. You can get a fuel pressure guage pretty cheap from most parts stores, northern etc.. But make sure your car has a fuel test port, some cars don't have one, in which case you have to check the fuel pressure by hooking the guage up in-line, which isn't possible with most cheap guages.

If a guage isn't an option, pick-up a cheap stethoscope, use it to listen to your fuel tank to tune your ear to what the fuel pump sounds like when it's running, when the vehicle stalls see if the pump runs while you have someone cycle the key on and off every 3-5 seconds. The pump will only run for 2 seconds when key is turned on. Must cycle key off, then on again for it to run again.

Hope this helps.