Hi guys, I have a big problem, recently my car (sunfire 2001 2.4) had to be repaired, according to my mechanic "the timing chain slipped one tooth of the gear"? (sorry i live in mexico and i'm not used to some technicisms) and two sensors (map and tps i think) were damaged. I bought a timing chain kit and the mechanic repaired it along with the sensors.
I went for my car and it looked fine but the mechanic told me that the spark plugs and the fuel filter had to be replaced because they were clogged or something like that, i was skeptical but after all agreed. The problem here is that when the car was delivered, the mechanic told me that the fuel pump had low pressure and the car hessitated "a bit" but that the problem would be solved with an octane booster/inyector cleaner. The reality is that the car DIES everytime i hit the accelerator just a bit, i have to floor it to avoid dying, but it still hessitates a lot, at higher rpms the motor runs just fine.. another thing that presented after the fix is that the dome light goes randomly ON and OFF, right now the light kept on all the time so i unplugged the battery to see if it could be fixed, or at least that it doesnt drain my batt over the night...
im really going crazy, i have spend a lot of money on this repairs and the car continues with problems, its really dangerous driving like that, sorry for the long post guys but i would REALLY aprreciate some help.
Thanks in advance,
What was the original symptom that caused it to go in for the timing chain repair? Does any of this (other than your interior light) seem familiar from prior to the repair?
With so much being changed, it's going to be hard to guess at the cause. It COULD be that the fuel pump isn't working right, as this is how you would expect it to behave.
Is this someone you trust? I ask, because something like installing a clogged fuel filter could cause it to APPEAR that your pump is the problem. Then you know what would probably be replaced to "fix" your problem, while you're being billed for a fuel pump replacement.
I don't like to assume that anyone is this unethical, but I've seen lots of similar behavior from shops around here, so it CAN happen. It just appears that they have "conveniently" been replacing more parts than what was originally planned, and things still aren't right. Maybe it's time a different mechanic had a look. Ask around to try to find one with a good reputation.
As for the dome light, that's a weird one. It is typically controlled by the body control module (BCM) which is INSIDE the car, so anything done under the hood would hopefully not interfere. I believe that there's always power supplied to the bulb, and that it is just grounded via the BCM (called a pulse width modulated ground - that's how it can "fade" out), or a direct ground through the dimmer control on the dash. If this wire is damaged and rubbing somewhere, it could make connections intermittently causing it to come on. If it appears to "fade" off, then it may be a wire from a door switch touching somewhere it shouldn't, or a switch that somehow isn't working properly. I've seen water get into these switches occasionally and cause a similar problem, but it's usually a short lived issue. If you can't find the problem right away, I would recommend removing the bulb rather than disconnecting the battery repeatedly.
Hopefully they were competent enough to get the timing chain installation done right. I haven't done one of these, but they don't look like a very pleasant job.
Hope this helps at least a little with maintaining your sanity...
John
Agree, also sent you a PM with my 2 cts, en espaņol...
Hey guys, thanks for your replies, I disassembled the intake system and to my surprise, the TB was full of oil, I took it to the mechanic again and he cleaned it, it turned out to be also that he messed with the accelerator (he somehow altered the rpms) so after fixing that, the car seems to be just fine, no more hessitating nor choking out. Again, thanks for your help, the only problem now seems to be the lights staying on (had to take out the fuse), seems to be that the problem started after going to the car wash.. anyway, i'll keep you updated.
regards,
If the interior lights are staying on, check the door pin switch. Mine was shot and had to be replaced for the same problem.
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