My 99 sunfire starts then sputters and quits. Yes I changed the fuel filter. It is definetly a fuel problem because if I squirt gas down the throttle body it keeps running. First question, since I don't see a Schrader valve anywhere how to I connect the fuel pressure gauge? Secondly when I turn on the key the fuel pump runs for about 2 seconds then stops which I know is normal but when I disconnected the fuel line to see if any gas was coming through at all is still only ran for 2 or 3 seconds. Is this normal or should it have kept on pumping since it wouldn't build up any pressure.
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Starts then quits
- Thread starter 660jeffr
- Start date
My 99 sunfire starts then sputters and quits. Yes I changed the fuel filter. It is definetly a fuel problem because if I squirt gas down the throttle body it keeps running. First question, since I don't see a Schrader valve anywhere how to I connect the fuel pressure gauge? Secondly when I turn on the key the fuel pump runs for about 2 seconds then stops which I know is normal but when I disconnected the fuel line to see if any gas was coming through at all is still only ran for 2 or 3 seconds. Is this normal or should it have kept on pumping since it wouldn't build up any pressure.
nope , their is nowhere to connect a gauge your going to have to have or make some kind of adaptor . Most common is at the fuel filter or the line that connects to the TBI unit.
It is normal for you to see fuel spirting out for 2 seconds whith the line disconnected , the computer if it doesn't see a rpm signal will shut the fuel pump down .
Seeing that you said it will run when you squirt gas down it , and seeing that the pump runs for 2 seconds, then you have avery good chance that the fuel pressure is too low. Don't confuse pressure with volume , it possibel to have volume and low pressure , only a fuel pressure test can tell. If I were you , I would put in a fuel pump , bet it fixes it.
What engine do you have?
There are a couple of things that come to mind. First is the pass key system. If the PCM doesn't receive a signal from the Instrument Panel (IP) that the correct key is being used, the engine may start and run for a few seconds before shutting down again. Yes it is fuel related. The Power Control Module (PCM) shuts the injectors off in this situation. If this is the problem, you may only need to preform a system re learn. Then again you may need a new switch, or an IP. The security light should be flashing if the pass key system is activated.
Another possibility is the ignition control module (ICM) may have failed, the result is about the same, in that, the injectors stop working. I'm not sure if the ICM failing on a 2.2 will have this effect, but it sure as heck does on the 2.4.
A failed ICM doesn't show on a scanner, well I should clarify, if an ICM fails on a '96, it does not show as such on a Snap on scanner. Maybe the '99 has better communication with scanners than the '96 had? Replacing the ICM is truly a leap of faith, and an expensive one at that. I found a good price for a new Delco ICM on Amazon, but I also found good prices on aftermarket ones on fleabay as well. (No idea who made the fleabay parts, but they were half the price) There was also a few complete used systems.
I should say that I was working with the 2.4, which has totally different ignition system as that found in a 2.2. But according to the FSM, the pass key systems are the same.
There are a couple of things that come to mind. First is the pass key system. If the PCM doesn't receive a signal from the Instrument Panel (IP) that the correct key is being used, the engine may start and run for a few seconds before shutting down again. Yes it is fuel related. The Power Control Module (PCM) shuts the injectors off in this situation. If this is the problem, you may only need to preform a system re learn. Then again you may need a new switch, or an IP. The security light should be flashing if the pass key system is activated.
Another possibility is the ignition control module (ICM) may have failed, the result is about the same, in that, the injectors stop working. I'm not sure if the ICM failing on a 2.2 will have this effect, but it sure as heck does on the 2.4.
A failed ICM doesn't show on a scanner, well I should clarify, if an ICM fails on a '96, it does not show as such on a Snap on scanner. Maybe the '99 has better communication with scanners than the '96 had? Replacing the ICM is truly a leap of faith, and an expensive one at that. I found a good price for a new Delco ICM on Amazon, but I also found good prices on aftermarket ones on fleabay as well. (No idea who made the fleabay parts, but they were half the price) There was also a few complete used systems.
I should say that I was working with the 2.4, which has totally different ignition system as that found in a 2.2. But according to the FSM, the pass key systems are the same.