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Pontiac Firebird
Repair Questions and Answers
Question: 1989 Pontiac Firebird
mileage: 155,000 Hi guys, a friend replaced the
serpentine belt. He also messed with and messed up the
coil wire. He put a coil wire on that did not fit my
car. On the way home that night my car died three times.
I would place the coil wire back on the center of the
distributor cap each time and that would get it going
again. But, the next time I drove it I had to put the
coil wire back on 10 times at least and then even that
did not help it run again. I bought a new distributor
cap, rotor and coil wire. Now my car will go 1 to 2
miles. Then it starts cutting out, backfiring and dies.
The plugs and wires were checked and were firing
correctly. "They" say it's the fuel filter, timing, and
the last opinion was the catalytic converter getting hot
(since it runs ok briefly). What do you guys think? I
figured out how to get the ECM codes to display. The
codes are: code 22, throttle position sensor, voltage
low or fuel cut off relay circuit open or shorted to
ground. And, code 34, manifold air pressure sensor
voltage high, pressure high/vacuum low or MAF signal
high--flow low. The code descriptions indicate to me
something isn't flowing right, not grounded,
pressure/vacuum problems.
Answer: You may have a faulty
manifold air-pressure sensor or possibly even a faulty
fuel pump.
Question: 1995 Pontiac Firebird
mileage: 80,000. I have constantly had troubles with the
driver's side headlight of my 1995 Firebird. It recesses
just fine, but after it has recessed fully, a very loud
noise starts and lasts for about 15 seconds. It sounds
like it might be a motor noise. I have taken it into the
dealer to be repaired once and they said it was the
actuator, I believe. I have also heard from others that
have Pontiacs with recessing headlights that they have
had similar troubles. Have you heard of this before, and
do you know if it can be fixed by someone who isn't a
mechanic? If this is a problem with the car that is
going to keep occurring, I would like to fix it myself
instead of paying the dealer $250 - $300 every time to
fix it.
Answer: There is a gear in the motor
for the headlight doors that strips out which would
cause the problem you described. There may be a kit
available that will have the replaced gear in it. Check
with your local Pontiac dealer. A Mitchell, Chilton,
Haynes, dealer auto repair manual or a specialty repair
book for your make of car will have step-by-step
instructions so you can judge for yourself the
difficulty based on your level of experience.
Click here to find out more
Question:
1990 Pontiac Firebird Formula 305 mileage:
120,000. We recently acquired a 1990 Firebird
Formula with a 305 fuel injection engine (VIN F). It has
high mileage but ran extremely well with a smooth idle
and great pickup until last week when we had a
diagnostic done on it because it failed emissions
testing. The diagnostic supposedly revealed a
leaking intake manifold gasket and the need for a new
distributor cap, rotor, and plug wires. This car
was running fine when we took it in and barely running
when we picked it up. It is difficult to start,
idles so low that it dies whenever you slow down or
stop, and sounds like it is missing very badly when it's
just sitting and idling. The place that did the
diagnostic had no idea of a cause for the instant change
in the way the car was running and no suggestions as to
how to restore it to how it was, just that nothing they
did would have caused it. We put on the new gasket
(which by the way didn't look bad at all to us) as well
as a couple other inexpensive parts like a thermostat
and PCV valve while we had it all apart, and also put a
new distributor cap, rotor, plugs, and plug wires on it
as advised. Unfortunately, it is still the same as
it was when we picked it up. It seems like
we have checked everything but can't find anything
disconnected or any cause for the low idle. We
also do not understand why the computer module won't
compensate for the idle because it appears to adjust
other things when they are changed. Could
something simple have happened when the diagnostic was
done to cause this drastic change, or could it have
caused a problem we can't figure out? Our
inclination is to have another diagnostic done somewhere
else to see what shows up but any other suggestions
would be greatly appreciated.
Answer:
Check the ignition timing, as it may not be set
properly. If that checks out okay, scan the
computer for fault codes.
Question:
1997 Pontiac Firebird mileage: 40,000. Hey
guys this is my sisters car. She just got it and
it was hit in the rear. Now it’s all fixed and the
body man cant get it cranked. Seems like no fuel
getting to engine. Is there a fuel cut off valve
somewhere and where is it. No one can find it.
Please help and thank you very much.
Answer:
There is no fuel cutoff valve on you vehicle.
Check for 12 volts to the fuel pump. If 12 volts
is present and the pump is not running, replace the
pump. If 12 volts is not present, check the
fuel pump relay.
Question:
1988 Pontiac Firebird mileage: 117,000.
I've recently ( within the last 25,000 miles) noticed a
tendency for the vehicle to stall and hesitate when it's
at operating temperature. I also notice the tach jumping
between 500 - 1000 rpm when in drive. The car has
a 4 speed automatic and it has been tuned up about
30,000 miles ago. The MAF sensor has been
replaced, but I'm thinking the TPS sensor needs
replacing. During regular driving, she's ok; it's
just at stoplights that the stalling and surging occurs.
Am I on the right track with the TPS sensor?
Answer: Try replacing the oxygen
sensor first before you replace the TPS.
Question:
1995 Pontiac Firebird mileage: 130,000. After
replacing: ignition coil, m/c solenoid, plugs, wires,
distributor rotor & cap. My car has been fouling
plugs & running rich. It ran for 2 days, then
stalls when stopping & floods itself out. It will
not start until I replace the plugs (which smell of
fuel). The service engine light does not come on,
but choke light will, off and on. Any help will be
appreciated!
Answer:
Check the fuel pressure regulator as it may be causing
your problems. Probably would be a good idea to
replace the oxygen sensor also.
Question:
1996 Pontiac Firebird mileage: 124,500.
Recently I noticed squealing front disc brakes they only
squeal with my foot off pedal & if I press brake pedal
about a 1/2 in the squeal disappears. I have
brakes & they work fine but there is something wrong -
squealing is super loud on the freeway & embarrassing to
drive. Sometimes, rarely, it will go away for a
few seconds though. What is going on & how do I
fix the problem. I bought car from car lot
2-22-99.
Answer:
Replacing the front brake pads should fix your problem.
Question:
1994 Pontiac Firebird mileage: 137,000. Is it
possible to put a 350 motor into it?
Answer:
Almost anything is possible, but not very practical.
It would be easier to buy a car with a V-8.
Every system in your car is designed for the 4.3 V6 the
car came with.
Question:
1988 Pontiac Firebird mileage: 133,000.
My car died on me about a week ago. I had a friend
look at it, he checked the computer out, and there was
nothing wrong with it. He messed with a few wires
and then he went to turn it on and it fired right up.
But, just about three days ago I drove it and it was
fine but 4 hours later it didn’t want to stay running
and then it just wouldn’t start anymore.
Answer: Your car may be ready for a major
tune-up including spark plugs, plug wires, distributor
cap, rotor, fuel filter and air filter. Also,
perform a fuel pump pressure test. Clean fuel
injection system including throttle bore, idle speed
control motor and passages. If problem still
exists, scan computer for trouble codes.
Question: 1996 Pontiac
Firebird mileage: 118,000. Service engine soon
light comes on after 20 or so minutes of driving. Also,
car doesn’t have the power it should, when I step on the
gas it feels sluggish.
Answer: The "check engine"
light will "light" when there is a malfunction in the
engine management system. The fault code is then stored
in the computer. The computer must be scanned to
retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the
malfunctioning component. We recommend a
pocket scanner that you can purchase for under $80
that can do the job.
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