Engine not running

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
I would check the fuel pressure or have it checked. You do have spark?
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JWL1023
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have rented an auto scanner from autozone. It returns with PO140 which is O2 sensor and PO171 "system to lean"
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
That won't make it not start. Clear the codes and if you would make sure you have spark and let me know what you find ok.
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
Q2JOSH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
First issue on this problem, started with a bit of fustration then ran 2 blocks then died. Lights stayed on. Battery checked good. Tried to start again didn't. Same effects when I wait a bit and try starting it 3 times. Feels like a gas problem, has gas and put extra. 1st runs for a second then dies, 2nd turns with some fustration then dies, 3rd not a chance of turning. No codes.
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
IF you suspect a fuel problem, try spraying some carb cleaner into the throttle body and see if it runs for a moment. You can keep spraying into it to see if it will run off the cleaner.

IF so, check the fuel pressure to see if it is in spec.

IF a fuel pump is suspect, put a funnel into the filler neck and listen for the pump hum while someone else turns the key from off to run ( not crank). You can sometimes rap on the bottom of the tank to jar it into working (for a short time).
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 136,000 MILES
I have a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire that wouldn't start after I got gas. It sounds like it is starting but won't turn over all the way. It started for a split second once and then died. If I push the gas as I turn the key, it won't do anything. Any suggestions for what this could be?
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
When you first turn on the key, no crank, can you here the fuel pump run for a couple seconds? You can use a gage and check fuel pressure. Engine cranking, did you visually check for spark at the spark plugs? You can have a helper crank it.
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CORKY SMITH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 100,000 MILES
Driving along at freeway speed and car just stopped running. Tried to crank, restarted for a for a few seconds and then died. Still cranks but will not restart any ideas . Not out of gas
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check/monitor the fuel pressure if its withins specs-fuel pump could have failed-start here
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 190,000 MILES
My car was fine the other day. Then I parked it and went for a walk. When I went back to my car it wouldn not start. I just had the oil changed a week before. I had a full tank of gas. And I had just had my cars water pump replaced a few weeks back and the mechanic said my car was fine. Now my car wont start, it turns and makes a grinding turning noise the whole time. We tried to boost it and it still wouldnt start, we checkd the fuses and they were okey. What is the problem?
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
If the cranking system is ok. Have a helper crank it while you check for spark at the spark plugs. If you have spark everywhere, use a gage and check fuel pressure. Any applicable trouble codes? To check codes, yourself, at the least, you need an obd2 code reader. Your security system could cause an issue. You need to do a little testing to narrow things down a little.
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SWIFT79
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
Electrical problem
2002 Pontiac Sunfire 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

OKAY NOW.I replaced the socket and starter. NONE of my blinkers, brake lights or hazards work. Also my car wont start unless I use a frickin screw driver again. Is all this related? Or what the hell is going on and what do I do or start and locations. All fuses are good too
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
A bad or faulty multifunction switch(combination switch) maybe suspected here for the brakes and signals

no start much to suspect and have to check neutral safety switch
ignition switch
and wiring in between
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
Engine Performance problem
2002 Pontiac Sunfire 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

engine light been cutting on and for last two years.
Head it check out problem corrected now car wont start
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
First step is to get that code read. That will lead you in the right direction with regards to diagnostics.
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUBY.GRAHAM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 4 CYL
Have a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire Sedan. We were driving home (w/ 3/4 tank of gas) and headed up a slight incline when all of a sudden the car stopped responding to the gas pedal and the power steering stopped. The electrical system was still responding and the engine was still running. We turned off the vehicle and tried turning it back on but it would not start. We towed it back to our house. My husband and father checked the fuel pump and it appears to be working. It acts like it wants to start but it won't turn over.
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Use a gage and check fuel pressure. Some of the national brand autostores used to loan out a fuel pressure gage. Hopefully, you have a schrader valve to hook the gage to. Don't take any fuel lines loose unless your sure there isn't any pressure on the system.

Check for applicable trouble codes, at the least, you need an obd2 code reader. How long since a tune-up?
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GAIL.PATTON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
2002 Pontiac Sunfire

Twice today, I needed a jump w/ cables to start my car - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire std trans - I don't think the battery is dead because I still had power to windows and locks and dome light. When I tried to start it, before the jumps each time, it tried to turn at first, then kind of like made this shissh followed by a rapid click sound, then nothing. I bought the car used in 2004, and have never replaced the battery. In fact, the car's run like a top since I got it. Well, except both windows won't come down past a 5 inch opening -- all I get is a loud ratcheting sound when I keep pressing the power window button down. The first one, driver's side, malfunctioned about a year ago. The passenger side just started doing the same thing this morning.
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
It sounds like the battery is weak and unable to crank the engine. It can have enough power to work the electrical items you mentioned, but the starter places the heaviest load on it. If it starts to crank and then clicks, the battery is too weak to start the engine.

Remove the battery, recharge the it and take it to have a load test done at a parts store. Most will do it for free. Once it is under a heavy load, my guess is it will fail.

Let me know what you find.
Joe
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)

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