Q: 3.1 v6 engine. Starts and runs fine for about 5 mins then begins to rough idle at lights etc. for about next 15 to 20 mins. After that idles fine again. During rough idle period, car accelerates and cruses normally. Scopes and scanners show nothing, R and R'd computer, ign module, MAP sensor. no improvement. (have original stuff back in car). Replaced spark plug wires and fuel filter. new Auto lite rapid fire plugs installed 1 yr ago. they show normal coloring when examined. This prob seemed to start after installing plugs. But then it would only happen once every 10 days or so. My mechanic thinks it might be the intake manifold gasket. ($350) to find out. Why would it correct itself then? Your thoughts would be appreciated.
A: Two things I would check.
1) if the thermostat opens correctly or to early allowing the engine to be very slow to warm up. 2) also, the resistance reading cycle of the coolant temperature cycle as this is what the computer "see's" the engine temperature at, and then meters fuel accordingly. Ed
Heating / Cooling System Other Not applicable Not applicable
Q: Need to know where heater core is located
and all instructions on how to replace.
A: (very complicated to change)go under the dash behind the glove box. If you go under the hood follow the heater hoses to where they go into the firewall (get a manual and take your time)one piece at a time.
Q: Anifreeze in my sunbird drain out of this tube (almost like an overflow hose) and my motor runs 260 degreeze+.
And when i turn on my heater steam and a really strong smell of antifreeze comes throught the vents and fogs everything and really cold air comes through instead of heat.
I think its the heater core that went bad, but i am not sure.
A: Sounds like the heater core is bad.
But chances are, you also have a more serious problem. Like a blown head gasket. Get the cooling system diagnosed imediately. Modern engines are easily ruined if overheated.
Heating / Cooling System Malfunction When driving When warm
Q: Where is the heater core located in/on the car? Is it in the firewall, block, etc....?
A: Heater core is under the dash behind the glove box. Got to remove a lot of stuff to replace it. If you have never done this before, best to have done by a shop....DB
Electrical / Lighting Systems Dimming Happens always Always
Q: The light in the dash for the speedometer and gauges has been going dim for awhile. It started going dim on the right side and has now worked it's way almost all the way across. Do I just have to change the bulbs under the dash, or is it more complicated than that?
Electrical / Lighting Systems Other When stopped Always
Q: engine= 4cyl 2.0l ohc
the fan keeps running until the battery is dead after parking the car. I've already replaced the thermostat but the problem persists. Where is the temperature sending unit and could it be the culprit?
Also I've had a small amount of coolant leak into the passenger compartment on the passenger side, where would it have come from?
A: Temperature sending unit is likely at fault, it's usually close to the thermostat.
I usually go buy the replacement part, then find the thing that looks like it :), Tom
Windows / Glass Won't Start Not applicable Not applicable
Q: Left power window won't work. does it need a new control module? Where can I find a wiring diagram for the power window control module?
A: Sounds like your electric motor is bad. I would first make sure that the window is still level and not in a bind. If it still wont do anything it sounds like the motor. You can swap out the switch from the other window to see if that makes a difference before you buy a motor. Advance Auto will sell you a new one for under $50.00 good luck.
Dean Baskett
Montgomery AL
Q: The left (drivers side window) will not go up or down. We've got 12 volt voltage on the dark blue wire that is on the motor. We have nothing on the brown wire on the motor. Could it be either the relay or the control module and if so, where is the relay and control module located on the vehicle. The car is a two-door convertible coupe.
Fuel System Won't Start Happens sometimes When warm
Q: About once a week, the car will not start after being shut off. The fuel pump does not work, at the time. I jumped the fuel pump hot wire under the hood, and it still does not run. Wait an hour or two, and then it will start, and run fine.
A: Try replacing the fuel pump . Vapor lock could also be a problem . Do not forget to check th fuel return line . If this is not free flowing , it could cause a fuel delivery problem . There might be a problem at the connector for the fuel pump at the fuel tank itself , provided that the pump is internal to the fuel tank .
Electrical / Lighting Systems Dimming Happens always Always
Q: Lights are dimm and the chime is changed in tone. When trying to start it just doing a click and all lights are going slowly to zero (no lights at all). I jump started it, thinking something is wrong with the battery, without any luck. Please help...
Electrical / Lighting Systems Other Not applicable Not applicable
Q: The fuse for the courtesy light in my 92 Sunbird keeps blowing. Is there something that I can change about the wiring to get it to stop?
Thanks.
A: EASIEST SUGGESTION IS TO CHECK YOUR WIRING AT THE LIGHT TO MAKE SURE YOU DONT HAVE ANYTHING TOUCHING METAL IF NOT TAKE TO A TRUSTED REPAIR SHOP AND HAVE THEM CHECK THE WIRING($35-65 DIAGNOSTIC TEST)
Chassis / Suspension & Steering Vibration When driving Always
Q: It makes a very loud sound when I drive down the road.... it did not start doing this until I changed the tires.
A: If the tread pattern is an agressive (open) one or the tires are set at the wrong pressure.... this can happen.. Also check whether the sound all over or just one tire...... Ed
Electrical / Lighting Systems Other Not applicable Not applicable
Q: I just put a replacement motor in and I have 1 wiring clip that I can't find where it goes, the car runs and it never gave me any indication that something was wrong.
A: Maybe the clip was never hooked up to anything before you started. Ed
Electrical / Lighting Systems Other Happens sometimes Not applicable
Q: Its Ron again I know that the wire is to something as the wrecker left all the wires intact, but I also know that if its as clean as it was it should go somewhere. Is the speedo cable a wire? My speedometer is not working, I always thought that a speedo is a cable. Is there any way to get a wiring diagram to trace this wire? thanks so much Ron.
A: Local library should have wiring diagrams for you. Ed
Electrical / Lighting Systems Other Happens sometimes Always
Q: After awhile my check engine light comes on for no reason. All my fluids are topped up and all my belts and hoses are new. I dont know if my computer is faulty as I removed the battery, and left it out for a couple of days. I replaced the battery and it did it again. Could it be a faulty senser if so what one?
A: Retrieve the codes from the computer and check the systems indicated. Ed
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction Happens sometimes Not applicable
Q: The fuel pump fuse blew on my car. After that, I had the fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel pump relay, and the oil pressure switch replaced. Now the car will run for three days, and then blow the fuse again. I will let the car sit for two days, replace the fuse and it will run again for three days and blow the fuse again. Obviously there is an electrical problem, but I can't find it. Any suggestions?
A: Best bet is a wiggle test... Only thing is, you can't be under car when it is running! So take your car to a shop where it can be put on a hoist. If the mechanic isn't familiar with a wiggle test... go elsewhere!
Interior Components Malfunction Not applicable Not applicable
Q: The dashboard above the stereo and A/C has warped due to the heat. Also it has expanded near the defrosters and front speakers. It is impossible to repair.
A: It can be repaired only by removing and replacing the entire dash assembly. This is not hard just very time consuming. If you do replace the dash, invest in a window screen to reduce the heat inside the car.
Electrical / Lighting Systems Upgrade Not applicable Not applicable
Q: I was wondering what kind of stero I can replace my factory one with, or if I can take out the cassete player and order the cd player that comes with some pontiac cars, (I seen it in the owners manual it fits in the slot where the cassete player would)
A: yes you can you install a cd player above the factory tape player you have to buy a wiring harness for it. it is easy to instal it if you know what you are doing
Bryan
any questions BryanX45@hotmail.com
Q: I'm looking for a part from an engine block I
discarded.
The piece I need goes through a hole in the
back of the block connecting to the water pump.
A hose connects to this piece and runs anti-freeze
to the water pump. Is this enough information?
A: Is this like a transfer pipe of sorts? Parts
such as these can usually be found at your local
auto wrecker, or by picture from the local General
Motors dealership..... expensive but available....Ed
Q: Is it possible to take parts from my 1987 sunbird SE engine and put them into my 1990 subird LE, such as the cam and the head off the 1987?
Also, when the engine starts in the 1990, it runs fine, but when you put it into drive it's like the trasmission slipps or it is not getting any power from the engine.
Any idea what it could be?
A: Check your transmission fluid levels, following the recommended procedure ( in park, level surface, engine running etc )The instructions will be in your manual or possibly under the hood or on the ATF dip stick. Mine did the same as yours and it was an axle seal that was leaking fluid. When the fluid is low, it can't tranfer power from the engine to the transmission so you don't go anywhere, or you go slowly! If you have doubts about checking this yourself, take it to a reputable tranny shop - don't risk losing power when you are trying to pull out into traffic.
Q: My car has started acting funny it jumps into drive to soon at about 25 MPH.
It jumps really hard what could the problem be. Thank you.
A: Check the detent cable. It looks like a throttle cable, but it goes to the tranny to change shift points according to throttle useage.
If you have cruise control, then you will have 3 cables if not, you will only have 2, take a good look at it, make sure its not binding, or disconnected.
Q: i just bought a 1990 sunbird se 2.0 trottlebody in great shape except it had a bad noise in the head assy . i put a 1994 engine in it with low miles . it was a multiport but changed everything over to a trottlebody. replaced every sencor on the engine . the problem is that i can get it to run smooth when first started / or i can adjust the idle and get it to run smooth when it warms up /not both. allso the altanater was changed too , but after it warms up [ when temp gage reads normal ] the voit meater comes back down to the center mark any suggestions , p.s i took my time about 2wks so i would get it right
A: Randy , it sounds like a vacuum problem . I realize that this is a common thing I have mentioned to others , but it still holds true . When you adjust the idle , you are compensating for a problem that already exists . The only other thing is to much fuel is being drawn in . A leaky throttlebody injector can cause a rough idle or engine operation at normal temperature . Do make sure that the O2 sensor is not at fault .
Engine speed has a function in alternator output . High idle will cause the alternator to put out more amps . Voltage in the newer alternators is fairly constant . Amps are what change with engine speed . Check the battery , and do a cross check with a known good Digital Multimeter to be sure that the problem is not in the alternator/battery . Those meters are not something that I would rely on without a backup check by a precision instrument .
Q: The car is going down the road at a steady speed and it kind of feels like the car downshifts. It's not the transmission. It also backfires when it does this.
A: Sounds like a missfire or crossfire between cylinders..... Ed
Q: What i need to know is how to time a pontiac sunbird 2.0 timing belt stipped about 10 to 15 teeth off of it. If you can tell me how to time this engine I bought it from my lady boss who told me that it just quit. after getting it home i check gas ( emc fuse was shot) replace fuel ok now then check spark oh (wife turned over while i was still touching plug ) pull cover on timing belt missing teeth want to do work myself but don't know how to line up this engine
no ride eddie
A: Hey Eddie, you should be able to photocopy the install diagraam at your local library and a question for you: what is logantele? My direct address is ewilson@inetex.com Thanx. Ed
Q: When I step on the gas, the car hesitates. And makes a deep gasping sound. As I step further on the gas it subsides and but continues on again at lower rpms
A: souds as though you could have a fuel related problem,you need to check fuel pressure,fuel filter and maybe even a tune up
Q: On my turbo 2.0 3speed auto, the engine dies when I come to a stop, after driving about 40 miles or so on the interstate.
It will stay running if I put the transmission in neutral before coming to a complete stop. But if I put it back in gear too soon after stopping, it will cut out.
I don't have this problem on short trips.
A: That would be the torque convertor clutch... It is staying engaged..... Ed
Q: What symptoms indicate the car needs a cooling sensor and fan relay?
A: Does your car have an actual guage or a light? If the Temperature sensor is bad the fan will not turn on. And your temp guage will not move. An easy way to check both is to pop the hood, start the vehicle and let it run. If it has a guage watch the guage and let the vehicle run and listen and watch for the fan to turn on. If you DO NOT have a guage be CAUTIOUS about doing this Do this untill the guage gets close the the danger mark and shut the vehicle off. You dont want to overheat a motor with aluminum cylinder heads, that can cost you lots of money. The fan should turn on around 200 to 220 degrees depending on the vehicles setting if it does not turn on at all its probably the relay. You can check the fan by Disconnecting the Connector that goes to the fan and running power to the fan strait from the battery using two pieces of wire. Remember BLACK is ground. The fan should turn on. hope this helps.
Electrical / Lighting Systems Won't Start Not applicable Not applicable
Q: I own a Pontiac Sunbird 1979. The car suddenly lost all power. I checked out the battery on my battery charger and it said that I had a full charge. Do I need a new battery and if I do is there a special make or kind?
A: I owned a sunbird but it was a 87 and a problem happened to me like this. It is a possible bad spark plug or spark plug wire. Check all the fuses and if nothing works get a new battery preferable a dura start
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