02 Sunfire starting problem....

hi everyone...This is my first post to the forum and what brings me here is looking around for help with my 02 Sunfire (67K mile)...The car would run fine and smooth except for sometimes when it just refuses to start up.The engine cranks when the key is turned but refuses to start as if not getting enough juice.dnt think it is the battery as the car after getting towed to the workshop starts up on its own.One occasion it just died on the run and after getting towed just started up on its own....the dealer's diagnosis doesnt lead anywhere.And yeah it always happens after driving it not that when it is parked...
It happens so randomly that it is difficult to even reproduce the problem and the technicians have no clue about the problem....they changed the fuel relay though two days back....and all problems started after changing the oxygen sensor on the car as the engine check light was coming on...
Will appreciate any kind of feedback on similar situation.

Have them change the crank position sensor. You have an intermittant one that is causing your problem. You didn't say what size engine you have but it is not hard to change. The other possibility is an overheating fuel pump. If it overheats it will shut down and cause the car to stall. When it cools off it will work like normal. Try changing the CPS first as it is much cheaper to change than the fuel pump. If that does not cure the problem then change the fuel pump.

Thanks for the reply..Doesn't look like overheating fuel pump as i have had the problem when the car is hot and also when it is standing in the rain....after driving it for long and also after a short drive...But yeah Crank positioning sensor can be the culprit....i would surly get that checked...phew.... lucky to have it under service warranty for another 12000 miles
I forgot to mention....after continuously trying for 40 mins the car just started on its own on two occasions.....if the fuel pump i faulty i would guess it has just gone bad and randomly stops pumping fuel....

engine is 2.2 litre non ecotech

Fuel Pump and Fuel relay changed by the dealer. Problem still persistes...What next? Crank positioning sensor...
One observation is that during the problem there is no soft humming sound (when key is turned to on position but car not started) of the fuel injection kicking in.

Well...got the fuel pump changed ...car ran fine for few days and the problem is back....Problem located to be fuel pump not kicking in occasionally.Any clues........

Well...got the fuel pump changed ...car ran fine for few days and the problem is back....Problem located to be fuel pump not kicking in occasionally.Any clues........


What lights are coming on, on the Dash?
Battery Light.. Theft System light..

My new 02 Gt has been acting up.. but only with the 1 of 2 keys..

The theft system detects a wrong key and disables starting the car.. it will crank till the cows come home.. Battery light and Theft light come on.

Turn the key over and away it goes..

I have also noticed that it is hard to get the key out sometimes.. Its a stick so u have to press the button.. I press and fight with it to get the key out..
I haven't taken it to the dealer yet.. (Still under warranty) but I'm sure they will replace the ignition switch.

maybe releated to your little prob.. what makes me think this is.. the theft system disables the fuel system.. thus no start.. and u had the fuel pump replaced.. ummmmmm


Mike

Problem isolated to a broken wire.....:( :banghead: Took so long....
Fixed and since then car runs smooth....:bigthumb:

Problem isolated to a broken wire.....:( :banghead: Took so long....
Fixed and since then car runs smooth....:bigthumb:

Crankyminds,
Do you know which wire was broken? I may be looking for the same problem so if you can narrow it down a bit that may help. If it was a Pontiac issue/problem then let me know. If it was something done to the car that wasn't original then that's probably not what I'm looking for. Thanks.

Crankyminds,
Do you know which wire was broken? I may be looking for the same problem so if you can narrow it down a bit that may help. If it was a Pontiac issue/problem then let me know. If it was something done to the car that wasn't original then that's probably not what I'm looking for. Thanks.


No Buddy....Wish it was that complicated ..at least would have been all the effort..This turned out to be just a damaged wire near the fuel pump..God knows how it got broken...
I would just suggest an wiring diagnosis...