1991 Pontiac Sunbird stalling

Tiny
MURDAWG1971
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 PONTIAC SUNBIRD
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
My rpm was bouncing up and down, and my car would stall iether in park, neutral, and in drive, I replaced my throttle positiong sensor, but the car is still doing the same thing. Any ideas what else to look for.

thanks
murray
Saturday, January 18th, 2014 AT 12:53 PM

44 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Clean the throttle body and the iac. Check the maf and map, where applicable. Check for applicable trouble codes. Your obd 1, you should be able to check codes yourself, if your check engine lite operates. To check codes, place jumper wire between terminals A & B at the datalink connector, should be along lower edge of dash between steering column and driver door. After the jumper is in place, turn the key just till the dash lites come on, no further, no crank. The mil on the dash starts flashing, you count the flashes to get the codes. Your looking for two digit codes.

How long since a tune-up? You might also check for vacuum leaks.
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Saturday, January 18th, 2014 AT 2:05 PM
Tiny
MURDAWG1971
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Hi there I replaced my throttle postion sensor and the iac sensor my car is still running like crap, rpm up and down, rpm goes to 3000 when I start the car, wants to stall when stopped, I am told by auto value pars store that my car does not have an mas air flow sensor
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-1
Saturday, January 18th, 2014 AT 4:38 PM
Tiny
JDL
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What about trouble codes? Anything?
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Sunday, January 19th, 2014 AT 9:48 AM
Tiny
MURDAWG1971
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I have obd1 how do I get codes for it
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+1
Sunday, January 19th, 2014 AT 11:11 AM
Tiny
MURDAWG1971
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In order for me to drive my car I have to ride the pedal and the brake when I stop or it will stall
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Sunday, January 19th, 2014 AT 11:13 AM
Tiny
JDL
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To check codes, the datalink connector should be located under lower edge of dash, between the steering column and driver door.

With the key on, just till the dash lites come on, no crank. Use a jumper wire between the A & B terminals at the datalink connector. Then the service engine soon lite on the dash starts flashing, you count the flashes to get the codes. Your looking for two digit codes.

Note the picture for location of A & B terminals at the datalink connector.
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Sunday, January 19th, 2014 AT 1:48 PM
Tiny
MURDAWG1971
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Codes are as follow, 12, 22, 33, 35, 45.
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Sunday, January 19th, 2014 AT 2:10 PM
Tiny
JDL
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Because you already replaced some sensors, I'd erase the codes and see what comes back.

The code 12 usually just means your in diagnostic mode.
Code 22 is tps voltage low.
Code 33 is map sensor voltage high.
Code 35 is for the iac.
Code 45 is the system is running rich.
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Sunday, January 19th, 2014 AT 3:32 PM
Tiny
MURDAWG1971
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So how do I fix code 22 tps voltage low, and code 33 voltage to high, and where on my engine is the map sensor
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Sunday, January 19th, 2014 AT 4:08 PM
Tiny
JDL
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As far as the code 22, check the wiring connector at the tps sensor. Check the wiring circuits. Make sure the battery has a full charge. With key on, you don't have to start it, check for 5 volts ref at the gray wire. The black wire is ground. Also, check the signal wire/dark blue, use a digital multimeter. Move the throttle linkage up and down by hand, watch the voltage movement, it should move up and down smoothly.

The codes don't tell you what to replace, just that the computer thinks there is a problem on that circuit.

Because some sensors share ref voltage and ground, you have to be aware one sensor might cause an issue with another?
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Monday, January 20th, 2014 AT 7:51 AM
Tiny
JDL
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To troubleshoot the code 33 there can't be a code 22. The map sensor shows to be on the firewall close to blower motor.
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Monday, January 20th, 2014 AT 7:59 AM
Tiny
MURDAWG1971
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My codes are gone now, but I have to push gas peddle to the floor to start car, then once foot is off the peddle it dies
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Monday, January 20th, 2014 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
JDL
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Usually when you put the pedal on the floor, it is, "clear flood mode", too much gas. You need to check correct fuel pressure, use a fuel pressure gage. Some of the national brand auto stores used to loan out a fuel pressure. You may have to put up a deposit but, you get it back when you take the gage back.

Once you build pressure, turn the key off. See if the pressure holds for a bit? If the pressure drops like a rock, you have a leak somewhere.

It wouldn't hurt to give it a tune-up. Anymore, 02 sensors are part of a tune-up.

After you erase codes, did you drive it for a bit to see if any codes come back?
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Monday, January 20th, 2014 AT 12:00 PM
Tiny
MURDAWG1971
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How many o2 sensors should I have
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Monday, January 20th, 2014 AT 12:14 PM
Tiny
MURDAWG1971
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I have a code 15 now
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Monday, January 20th, 2014 AT 12:17 PM
Tiny
JDL
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The code 15 is for coolant temp sensor, voltage high. A faulty coolant temp sensor can cause it to flood.
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Monday, January 20th, 2014 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
MURDAWG1971
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Where is this temp sensor located
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Monday, January 20th, 2014 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
MURDAWG1971
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This temp sensor is it power supply, or air supply
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Monday, January 20th, 2014 AT 12:42 PM
Tiny
JDL
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The coolant temp sensor should be in the thermostat housing or close to it. The wire colors are yellow and black. The coolant temp sensor lets the computer know the engine temp, and the computer will add fuel or take away fuel by controlling the injector pulse.
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Monday, January 20th, 2014 AT 12:50 PM
Tiny
MURDAWG1971
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This is the only code I have now if I replace this sensor sold this fix my car
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Monday, January 20th, 2014 AT 12:59 PM

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