Someone?? Anyone w/ knowledge? Please??

[helpmysunfire]

I started the thread "96 Sunfire convertible 2.4 stalls constantly" & haven't had any insight to what the problem may be. There was something I wanted to add - When the engine is cold it tries to stall a lot both accellerating and decelerating. When the engine warms up to about mid-point it drives like a dream. BUT - when hot - if I were to stop at a gas station and turn the engine off, even for just 2 minutes and the engine is still hot - it starts stalling again after I restart. This tells me that it may be something with a sensor.
When I called the dealership and asked to get disgnostics run on it, the guy told me that there wouldn't be any codes that will come up because my check engine light has not come on with this. He said that they would have to do manual diagnostics, which could become VERY expensive.

Can anyone help with ideas?

Thanks!!

[GTP Dad]

There are two sides to every engine stalling story. First I really think the problem you are having is with the fuel system. Get a fuel pressure guage and check the fuel pressure cold and then let the engine run. Shut the car off and see what kind or pressure you are getting. If the pressure is below 40 psi then you will need to replace the fuel pressure regulator. You may also want to replace the fuel pump relay since they can cause problems when the car is hot. Finally if you replace the fuel pressure regulator and the pressure does not come up to normal you may have a fuel pump problem. I would change the fuel filter before doing anything else. A dirty fuel filter can cause fuel pressure problems and would give you wrong readings.

If you change the fpr and the filter and the pressure is still low then you will need to change the fuel pump. Just so you know then fuel pressure is checked on the fuel rail. There is a shrader fitting like a tire valve to connect the guage to.

I suggest that you also invest in a Chiltons manual as it will give you good diagnostic procedures to follow.

If you find that the fuel pressure is good then you will need to check the ignition side. Coils and the ignition module are located under the cover between the cams. They can go bad especially in high mileage cars causing starting and stalling problems. Finally, the crank position sensor often will go bad and cause stalling issues so you may want to change that as well. I hope this helps with your problems. Let everyone know what you find out!!!

[helpmysunfire]

Thanks for responding. I will try the fuel pressure guage.
I checked the fuel filter last week and it was totally clean. I just replaced the fuel pump and the fuel filter last year when I was dealing with these same problems. Unfortunately it didn't help the problem so I replaced the crank position sensor & still nothing. Finally it just died, so I found that the control module, plugs, plug boots, coils and distributor cap was all bad so I replaced all of it. Then the o2 sensor went out so I also replaced it. It ran great for about a month until the control module went out again. I wound up replacing it 3 times (Luckily it had a lifetime warranty!!)
Finally it started running fine again, but slowly got worse over the last 6 months. I took it in to get brakes and alignment last Friday and just as soon as I pulled out of the parking lot, the problem got worse. A lot worse - practically undrivable. Thats when I was wondering if it had something to do with the hoses/vaccume system - since they did the brakes - but I went back the next day and had them check all my hoses and they were fine.
This is so frusterating - not to mention expensive. I know that the problem is small - a quick inexpensive fix, but trying to pinpoint it is really pricey. I am beginning to wonder if it wouldn't be better to just sell it and get something more reliable. Bad part about that is going back to car payments when I have enjoyed being payment free for so long!
If I do find the problem, I will make sure and come back here to let you know what it was. This is a great forum!

Melissa

[ThePrairieProphet]

I have a 97 Sunfire with the 2.4, and was having similar drivability issues. Changed the MAP sensor, fuel filters, fuel pump, purged my injectors, just tons of stuff that helped slightly, but i was still having issues. turns out in the long run that my catalytic converter was pooched. have since had it cut out and a straight piece of exhaust welded in, haven't had any problems since, that was well over a year ago. Hope this helps.