Anyone Know Anything About Cars?

[AbominableDro-Man]

So I'm trying to figure out a way to get this 96' Pontiac Sunfire that was picked up to run but can't. You see, it ran fine, perfectly fine one day, then over night, bam, no dice. Switched out the ignition, because knew that was bad, but now the darn thing just cranks and cranks and cranks but wont start. Like there's no spark. Don't think it has anything to do with passlock because the key isn't one of the keys with a chip in it, but the security light IS on, but it was one when it was still running so that really doesn't seem to be an issue. Tried checking the crank sensor, that's also not it. It also isn't the fuel pump, doesn't start if I just dump gas into the carb and try to fire it either. Anyone have any sort of idea here? The spark plugs were replaced and are fine, the battery is fine and new, the wiring all says it's fine when I use the meter to check each and every one....so here I am, stumped as all get out.

Edited April 21, 2014 by AbominableDro-Man

[I wood]

A 79 Monte carlo i had did something similar to me a long time ago, turned out to be a roter arm broke off inside the distributer.

[AbominableDro-Man]

Can't see that being the problem, had literally driven it less than 10 hours before to move it about 15ft. Then it wouldn't even crank so the ignition was replaced. Now it cranks, but wont fire. It's getting to be a real PITA. About to be a scrapped sunfire....

[knucklehead bob]

There are many parts to the ignition system . "96 Sunfire , is it fuel injected ? Just because you may hear the fuel pump run does not mean anything unless you can measure the pressure . 

 

EDIT: I guess it's not fuel injected if you are pouring gas in the carb   I was wondering because in my experience , a vehicle with a carb usually has a distributor .

Edited April 21, 2014 by knucklehead bob

[t-pain]

check ze spark plugs?

make sure the accident fuel cut off isnt 'on' ? no fuel cut off anti-theft devices?

 

cranks means its got battery power.

my friend had an old 80s car that would crank forever but never start. finally tried starting it at night.

all of the spark plug wires were arc'ing against the hood. the wires were not insulated properly.

 

i once had a taurus wagon that you turned the key and got nothing.

i bounced on it, jumping up and down on the hood for about 5 minutes and it started back up. go figure!

 

if it cranks but no fire, it could mean no gas. gas blockage? fuel filter? pressure hose? fuel pump?

fuel pump fuse ? no idea.

Edited April 21, 2014 by t-pain

[AbominableDro-Man]

Oh no, I was simply stating that even while pouring fuel into the carb it will not start. It's mind boggling. Though it really may end up just being the Passkey/Passlock I system from the constant electrical finaglings. Though I just don't see it given that there isn't even a remote start in the damnable thing.

 

@T-pain, if the fuel pump wasn't working then pouring gas into the carb and firing it would start it still, but the fuel pump appears to be working, I'm not exactly sure what's going on. The spark plugs were just changed out too.

 

I just really hope I wont have to pull out and switch the computer. =\

Edited April 21, 2014 by AbominableDro-Man

[t-pain]

apparently i cant read.

 

are you sure theres no anti-theft button under the wheel?

did you try reading the manual or contacting the seller yet?

 

good thread here with suggestions on sunfires.

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c3314_ds498652

[AbominableDro-Man]

Positive there's no anti-theft button under the wheel. Though, tearing off the lower steering cover does expose the wiring for the passkey/passlock system. I saw that earlier, tried every darn thing on there that they suggested. This is why I'm so stumped haha

[t-pain]

all the lights, headlights and a/c heat works?

 

i'm not really a car guy. all the sensors reading properly? not like a blown heat sensor shutting the car off somehow ?

[AbominableDro-Man]

Nope. Furthermore, the more confusing part, is that the meter shows that everything should be working correctly.

[cheapshades]

Try taking a look at the numerous Google hits for similar issues.  

 

For example: http://www.justanswer.com/pontiac/1sfvi-daughter-1996-pontiac-sunfire-recently-turned.html

[AbominableDro-Man]

Check engine light isn't on, which is what that particular post is addressing the issue of. I know how to use google, I was simply asking the board to see if any of the lot had ideas on the matter.

[Kingdiamond]

Pull a spark plug have someone crank it over and hold it next to the manifold to see if its even getting spark from the electronic ignition if not switch out the coil pack .

[Wild Bill]

Troubleshooting Auto Problems

[Restorium2]

Positive there's no anti-theft button under the wheel. Though, tearing off the lower steering cover does expose the wiring for the passkey/passlock system. I saw that earlier, tried every darn thing on there that they suggested. This is why I'm so stumped haha

Worth a try; Unplug the passlock wiring connector. Turn the key on 3 times for 11 minutes each. At the end of the 3rd ignition cycle, if the PCM doesnt see the passlock sensor (because you unplugged it) it will disable the passlock. There were several recalls on this vehicle for the passlock system failure.

[cheapshades]

Check engine light isn't on, which is what that particular post is addressing the issue of. I know how to use google, I was simply asking the board to see if any of the lot had ideas on the matter.

 

Yep.  It was only an example of an issue with a similar vehicle, not a lesson in using Google.  I hope you get the issue resolved soon.  

[GregS]

Any idea how old your wires, plugs, and other ignition components are? i used to run a fleet of trucks. This is possibly a defective ignition module.

Edited April 21, 2014 by GregS

[AbominableDro-Man]

Pretty sure at this point it has to be because of Passlock I. Looks like a bypass is going to be needed, hopefully I don't kill it in the process. Shouldn't but ya never know haha.