1991 Sunbird start and stop problems

My 1991 Sunbird is giving me fits. I can sart it up easily when its cold but it is after a 25 to 30 minute run that it wont it will crank over but no spark what so ever, but then you wait for a bit say 10 to 15 minutes and it starts right up, never dies just dont shut it off :nono: which is kinda of like lottery starting which really sucks because I have very few positive hits, more negative not starting after a 25-30 minute run. I have changed the coil packs and it still does it. It is a 4 banger 2.0. I have read some other posts that have had simuliar problems. So I started doing some research. Could it be the crankshaft sensor or the camshaft sensor? The answer is no. because according the Mitchells and the dealership that year does not have either one. So I am kind of at a stand still on what the problem is maybe someone here can give me some better insight one where else to start. Thanks

My 1991 Sunbird is giving me fits. I can sart it up easily when its cold but it is after a 25 to 30 minute run that it wont it will crank over but no spark what so ever, but then you wait for a bit say 10 to 15 minutes and it starts right up, never dies just dont shut it off :nono: which is kinda of like lottery starting which really sucks because I have very few positive hits, more negative not starting after a 25-30 minute run. I have changed the coil packs and it still does it. It is a 4 banger 2.0. I have read some other posts that have had simuliar problems. So I started doing some research. Could it be the crankshaft sensor or the camshaft sensor? The answer is no. because according the Mitchells and the dealership that year does not have either one. So I am kind of at a stand still on what the problem is maybe someone here can give me some better insight one where else to start. Thanks

91 2.0.. off the top of my head I can't rember if they had TBI or MPFI?? which does your car have. Does it have a Dist. hanging on the driver side of the camshaft carrier??

IF you have the Dist... I would check the module.. A dist. app will not have a CPS as the ECM gets it's readings directly from the Dist. It should be a cheap part, and easy to replace.

IF you have MPFI, you will have electronic ignition and you will not have a DIst... instead you'll have a coil pack on the back of the engine under the intake... if this is what you have then you will have a Crank Sensor on the front of the block just above the AC compressor (or under the water neck just above the oil pan). Also a cheap part.. just a pain to replace (the factory ran the wire behind the rear timing belt cover).

Let me know which setup you have and I might be able to help you further.

91 2.0.. off the top of my head I can't rember if they had TBI or MPFI?? which does your car have. Does it have a Dist. hanging on the driver side of the camshaft carrier??

IF you have the Dist... I would check the module.. A dist. app will not have a CPS as the ECM gets it's readings directly from the Dist. It should be a cheap part, and easy to replace.

IF you have MPFI, you will have electronic ignition and you will not have a DIst... instead you'll have a coil pack on the back of the engine under the intake... if this is what you have then you will have a Crank Sensor on the front of the block just above the AC compressor (or under the water neck just above the oil pan). Also a cheap part.. just a pain to replace (the factory ran the wire behind the rear timing belt cover).

Let me know which setup you have and I might be able to help you further.

It is a TBI with the distributer up front with a coil pack (and a very expensive one $185 new :shakehead ) it was a late 1991 as the word was related to me, but also it has not a camshaft sensor nor does it have a crank shaft sensor. Said as per say the dealership. like I said before the Mitchells didnt show any sensors at all, So I inquired further and they said that it had none because it still had a distributer.

It is a TBI with the distributer up front with a coil pack (and a very expensive one $185 new :shakehead ) it was a late 1991 as the word was related to me, but also it has not a camshaft sensor nor does it have a crank shaft sensor. Said as per say the dealership. like I said before the Mitchells didnt show any sensors at all, So I inquired further and they said that it had none because it still had a distributer.

Yep.. the dist is what actually controlls the spark, the ECM only adjusts the timing.

forget the coil... try the Ignition Module first, shouldn't be more then $40 and is the most likley culprit. Also, check the wireing to the Dist. for burn marks, cracking, loose, etc.

If you have a Haynes Manuel and a Volt/Ohms meter you can test the Ign. Module to make sure that's it first... It'll also walk you through testing the coil.

If you think $185 is bad... Try $390 for my 94 2.0... Computer controlled Ign. does have drawbacks:banghead:

Yep.. the dist is what actually controlls the spark, the ECM only adjusts the timing. If you think $185 is bad... Try $390 for my 94 2.0... Computer controlled Ign. does have drawbacks:banghead:
Its a crying shame that we cant work on them any more like we used to I mean my 400 and 455 I could do anything on them but with these new ones it takes a act of congress to work on them and a buget reform bill just to pay for the parts :headshake I know on my 2002 Montero to change the plugs JUST THE PLUGS!!!!! you have to take off the intake manifold because it extends over the valve covers :screwy: not sure what they were thinking when they did that one.

I have a 91 sunbird... it has a crankshaft sensor.. it's not exactly easy to get out because the wire for it goes right behind the timing belt housing but it exists. according to autozone.com's description of where it is cause i suck at even attempting an explanation "UNDER HOOD, PASSENGER SIDE, LOWER ENGINE AREA,
PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE BLOCK, MOUNTED FRONT OF
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY"hopefully that helps a bit