Sunfire won't run?

my 96 starts for a second than dies out is it the fuel filter or fuel pump... before this it ran really great changed battery oil oil filter spark plugs starter and on may 13 on a friday

My 2000 sunfire died while i was still driving, so I replaced the fuel pump and it still wont start we cannot figure out the problem so if anyone has any idea what it could be please let me know thanks:)

I have a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire , after changing the timing chain it was making a knocking noise under the hood. It passed inspection, then stalled and quit quietly 2 days later. We have changed the serpentine belt nd tensioner, spark plugs and wires, coil packs, fuel filter, fuel pump works just fine, and the module was tested and is fine. Any thoughts as to what to try next.???? Please don't say get a new car, if I had the money i would just get one, but not an option at this time. Thanks.

Okay, I've read a lot of information about these the 96 2.4 not starting. All threads have one thing in common,and that is if the security light is on steady...the engine should start. Well...the security light is on steady in the 96 that I'm working on and the engine will not even fire,never mind start. There is fuel,but no spark.
Using a Snap on Solus scan tool has been like no help at all. At first there were 3 codes. One for the CRK low, another for the CMP having no signal, and lastly,the VSS. What the VSS has to do with any of this is unclear.
After checking the condition of the parts the codes were cleared to see if they would reappear. No new codes, and no starting engine! The scanner will not run a KOEO test. The scan tool does show data, so there is a connection between the scanner and the PCM.
I'd bypass the passkey,except the engine has no spark,and the passkey disables the injectors.
My big problem is I bought the car in this condition and know very little history on the car. It did start with the aid of starting fluid,and drove home from the place of purchase. Although it ran, it wouldn't run above 3k rpm. Above that point it kicked back,and backfired. As soon as the rpm was dropped below 3k it ran just fine.?
All test that I can think of, or have the equipment to try have been done. The PO had replaced the coil pack, fuel pump and filter in an effort to cure the problem.
The starter was weak, so it was rebuilt.
I am confused about this passkey system. If there is no chip required on the key,what is there to stop someone from picking the lock and starting the car? I understand that the locks are just about impossible to pick, but it can be done with the proper tools. How does the system know the right key is being used? Am I missing an important part of how the system works?
After all these years someone should know just how this system works and how to test it/get around it. I can't find any information about testing the ignition system in the 2.4. Never mind a fault tree to follow.
As seen, a guy can replace half the electrical system,and still not have a running engine.
One question comes to mind, and I can not find a yes or no answer for it. If the oil pressure switch fails,will it cut the ignition ???
Its no wonder GM is in the crapper with a system like this?
I'm sure that I've read many threads on this subject that were written by those reading this. Maybe you thought,or learned some thing new?
Thanks for any help.

John wrote:

I have a 96 Sunfire. It has no spark! I have put a new cam and crank sensor in it. I have put three different ignition modules/coil packs in it.I got a pcm from the junk yard and had it reflashed to the vin for my Sunfire. It still will not start(cranks over just fine) NO SPARK!!! Does not seem to be ATS. Old pcm was cracked open letting water in. ATS effects fuel, I have no spark. I haven't had a stumpper like this in many years... but I need help. This car has been in my garage for over a month trying different things that don't work. HELP

My car has been giving me the same problem, and I was wondering if you ever figured out the problem or received a response. If you can help, please respond to: darlene.lacym@yahoo.com

Thank you so much,

Darlene

I just changed a heater core and the manufacturer immediatly when calling about the car doing this wanted to send a tow truck tried the ten min reset and it worked all day, got home left with someone else two hours later tried to start it and same thing everything works till you try and start it then boom everything dies. no money for a mechanic or anything like that how can i fix this issue quickly, other than just burn the damn pos. wish i still had my honda

I work as a design and test engineer for a major parts producer. The PCM is capable of correcting minor issues with the fuel/air supply. If it didn't you would be back to the days of a constantly replacing and tweaking the underhood components. A fuel pressure regulator is a device that has a neoprene membrane (internal) that can tear but also give you a missinterpretation or diagnosis (values appears fine) for your fuel pressure readings. Under load and sitting for a long while are two conditions that cannot be easily replicated while running the test. In both cases the past 2 years I have replaced the fuel pressure regulator and every symptom of hard starting, stumbling, check engine light, etc. goes immediately away. In both cases I also disected the regulator and found minor tears in the membrane. It begins to make sense. In both cases the PCM hunted and found good operating points where these occurances appeared (I didn't give it much thought) but obviously the problem (bad regulator) was never quite bad enough to be a noticeable issue.

Also, fatigue and wear on parts that comprise of rubber or noeprene should and could appear subtle as their typical failure mode is not immediate but over time. Eight to 10 years is a lot of abuse for this type of part. Because of it's location and purpose you are probably in the worst case senerio for reliability over time.

i got a 98 sunfire i just changed my gas tank last night put gas in tryed the key it doesnt do anything i can hear the fuel pump working but it wont even crank

My 97 sunfire is running very shaky and won't stay running the autozone plg in says misfire in clynder 2 I've done the coil wires and plugs and when that didn't work I got a new fuel injector now its blowing A LOT of white smoke and gas out of the muffler please help we have a new born baby and no other car

Have you checked/tested you're auto-choke mechanism? With a faulty mechanism it will start but die very soon if you do not rev the engine. As for the white smoke? How's your fuel mixture, I'd say it might be running a bit to rich?

you have fuel pressure you have fire to plugs ok 1 there should be a reset buttin in the trunk or in the car someware that cuts fuel off 2 replace key switch might have a broken wire 3check fuel relay 4 check to see if you have power to pump 5 check grounds 6 check timing try that if not reply at romeo2854@yahoo.com ty

ok 1 check sensers might be off on readings 2replace injecter pump under the plenum min did that and i found that half my injecters did not work pull the plenum then all injecter lines from head leave wirs on injecter pump hooked up un plug coil wire so it wont fire the plugs and turn the moter over to see if your lines are spraying gas out

check fuses check grounds reply if that dont get it romeo2854@yahoo.com ty

1 if sec light is on it wont fire if your key has a code on it and it dont work replace the switch use the old key code have to go to a dealer for them to switch it out on the key of tru to reset the computer or coc box under the dash

check box on collum check fuses check wires to starter check grounds

put new starter on and still will not start 1998 pontiac sunfire?

I have a problem on my 99 sunfire. Its getting gas but it has no spark and the anti theft light is on. I have replaced all four spark plugs and wires and coil's and still have no spark. Any idea on how to fix it??

I have a 97 sunfire that the fuel pump went out on I replaced the pump and drove it for 2 days and it quit again...I replaced the fuel pump again but the car wont run...It starts and runs for about 15 seconds and then shuts off...I have no lights on the dash and the tack isnt moving. Dont know what I should try next

I Have A 97 sunfire That when We Go to Start It,It Starts Then dies Right After Starting,Then After About 30 Minutes Of Trying To Get It To Start By Crossing It Over It Will Finally Start But It Will Not Start By The Key We Have To Cross It Over Everytime And We Just Replaced The O Ring Thats In The Tube For The Gas To Go Into Your Motor And That Helped Some Because Before It Wouldnt Start At All But Now It Will After It Starts an Dies For About 30 Minutes,Does Anyone Have A Clue What Could Be Wrong With It,Rather Then Its A Hunk Of Junk :)???

big onion wrote:

<quoted text>no it will not

Try looking into the coils. n my 1997 pontiac sunfire when I would drive for an hour my one coil would begin to fail so I would only run on two cylinders then It would eventually die off then I would wait for a while and then start it up and go for a bit. but I replaced both coils for $150 and then it ran fine