2002 Sunfire intermitently stalls

[drgc012061]

I have a 2002 Sunfire manual 5 speed with 175,000 km. A couple of weeks ago my girlfriend was driving it and as she put the clutch in to gear down the car stalled. When she got home I tried to duplicate the problem with no success. 2 weeks later the same thing happens to me but again the car starts right back up....however at the next set of light while at idle the rpm flucuates between 500rpm and 1250rpm for a few seconds then the engine stalls. I replaced the plugs about 2 months ago. This has been a great car with no serious problems until now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[GTP Dad]

Welcome to AF! Your crank position sensor is probably going bad. The condition you describe is usually the first sign. Have it replaced and it should cure the problem.

[drgc012061]

Thanks for the info....I was considering changing the fuel filter but will do cps first.... Thanks again

[drgc012061]

Can anyone tell me where exactly I might find the cps on this car. It has the regular 2.2 NOT the ecotec.

[drgc012061]

I changed the cps and the same problem still exists....the strange thing is that at no time does the check engine light flash or stay on....does this indicate that there are no sensor problems? Maybe plug wires or fuel filter?

[drgc012061]

Still having problem with stalling and sometimes running roughly at around 2000 rpm under load.... In the past month I've replaced the Crank position sensor, the Idle air control servo and the Throttle position sensor...Problem still exists....I guess I have no choice now but to take it to a garage and open my wallet wide.....

[GTP Dad]

Before going to the garage check the fuel pressure. You may have a bad fuel pump or partially blocked fuel filter. If the fuel pressure is low then change the filter, if there is no change then unfortunately the fuel pump may need to be changed. This can cause symptoms similar to the CPS and will not give you a CEL. Good Luck!

[chief2020]

i have this same problem with my 2000 sunfire and the best advice i have gotten to clean the iac valve and throttle body becuase the carbon build up is restricting it. haven't had the opportunity to test it but will be soon. if u do find out what is wrong please let me know. would appreciate it.

[drgc012061]

I finally got a dtc code today when the engine stalled. It was a code P0171 lean condition bank 1. Since my last post I've changed the fuel filter, the map sensor and the plug wires.... Can anyone tell me why the lean condition dtc? Possible vacume leak or fuel regulator valve???

[GTP Dad]

You may have a dirty mass airflow sensor. Clean it with electronics cleaner and the code should go away. This is a common problem but make sure that the maf sensor is completely dry before reinstalling. The other issues that can cause this is a bad injector or low fuel pressure.

[drgc012061]

I replaced the MAP sensor and the problem has not reoccured...it's been almost 2 weeks and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks to you all for your help.