I have a 2000 sunfire with a 2200 engine. and almost everytime I start the car it stalls out. and I have to pump the gas and turn the key for about 3-5 seconds to get it to start most of the time. The odd time about 1 in 15 I can get it to start without a problem. I have tried turning the key to the on postion 3 times to start the pump but that only works 1/2 the time itself
Any help would be appreciated.
1/4 Mile ET 15.2579 at 89.97mph
You need a fuel pump my friend.
@!#$ that sucks, thanks
1/4 Mile ET 15.2579 at 89.97mph
Pumping the gas literally does nothing on these cars while they aren't running. There are really only two positions the throttle need be in while cranking, fully closed, or floored. But yea, you seem to have a fuel delivery issue. Change your fuel filter first to eliminate that. Also, when you turn the key to the RUN position, do you hear a sort of humming coming from the rear of the car? Thats your fuel pump priming, if you don't hear that, your pump is dead as a doornail, or the harness has come loose which is possible, but unlikely. If you DO hear it, the pump MAY not be putting out enough pressure. Change the filter first though, see if that cures it.
Changed the filter but it still stalls out on occasion. Anything else it might be other than a fuel pump?
1/4 Mile ET 15.2579 at 89.97mph
Pull the IAC assembly off the throttle body and clean it really good, and clean the hole that it goes to also, use throttle body cleaner, not carb cleaner. The IAC may be sticking. But yeah, it sounds like a fuel delivery problem, check your fuel pressure at the rail, it should be in the neighborhood of 43 PSI, plus or minus a few would be allowable. Do this check with the vacuum hose off the regulator and plugged. If the fuel pressure is fine, plug the regulator vacuum back up, and while watching the gauge, rev the engine a few times, the pressure should hit the 40-ish mark at higher rpms, if not, suspect a bad regulator.
Once it's started, do you get good power when you floor it?
If so, you don't have a fuel pressure issue.
See if you can start it on the first time with the gas pedal at around 15% throttle. If that works, then it's most likely a software/IAC issue.
2002 Cavalier 2200 5spd
Yes, There is lots of power to the wheels. No delays or anything once the car is on and running. Just had the fuel filter replaced and added a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to a tank of gas and I still stall out when i start the car about half the time. the other half Im usually on the gas to get it to start without stalling.
1/4 Mile ET 15.2579 at 89.97mph
sounds more like the IAC since you posted that. Remove it, clean it, plug it back in but do not reinstall it. Take out the fuel pump relay, and then have someone crank the engine, see if the plunger on it moves at all. It SHOULD move somewhat. Also have them try that with the gas pedal to the floor and watch for plunger motion. If it stays dead still, I would replace it. IAC units are quite a bit cheaper than a fuel pump, but still not what some would call cheap cheap. They can cost up to 100 bucks on some engines.
