Starts but won't stay running

Have you checked fuel pump pressure? Has the check engine light been on?

Let me know.
Joe

After further checking fuel, etc, we found the car in "Theft Shut Down" mode.

Two weeks ago, we had worked on a starter problem, and we had "jumped" the starter from the battery to the solenoid. Evidently this set the computer into "Theft Shut Down".

To correct, we turned on the key (but no cranking) for 15 minutes (yes, minutes). The car started, ran and is just fine.

I had never heard of this before.

Bob D.

Yes, leaving the key in the run position for that long over rides the anti theft system. Glad you got it running. Let us know if you have questions in the future.

I have a 1998 Pontiac Sunfire convertible with 153,000 miles on it. Just recently, overnight in fact, it started stalling out when I stopped at lights as well as became difficult to start. I also notice the smell of gasoline while the car is trying to turn over. Once its moving, I do not notice any lack of power. It tends to run fine when the car is in neutral or park.

Any ideas on what this could be?

Thanks!

a few things pop into mind like a leaking injector or a partially sticking egr valve. look closely at injectors to see if they look wet

I have a 1998 pontiac sunfire that i boutght after it was in a front end collinsion where both airbags were deployed. The previous owner drove it home with a bad radiator and blew the head gasket. I replaced everything that was broken on the front end. I did not replace the airbags (presonal vehicle, and i dont need them). I got a head from the junkyard, rebuilt it, and replaced the headgasket. I also replaced the ignition key and tumbler with that of a 95 chevrolet cavalier. Heres what my problem is... The car starts and runs strong for a few seconds and then dies. I have good gas, spark, compression and I also checked my vacuum and I have vacuum. Also it will run fine on carb cleaner. Im wondering if a code was tripped im the PCM to cutoff fuel because of the accident possably? Or maybe a securit issue? Something has to be tripping the fuel pump off... Any help? You can contact me at tunesportcavi@gmail.com Thank you

Start by checking the fuel pressure with mechanical gauge (ign. on, engne not running), then start engine and watch fuel pressure.

well last Friday 2/21/2014 I just purchased some gas that day. well later that night I was driving to my friends house and left my car on for not even 5 minutes and I left then when I left I was driving up a hill and let off the gas and my car just dies. ( on the hill) I didn't think of it when it happened then I started it up again just fine when a block away and it dies again when I let off the gas. I took it to the mechanic and he said it was something electrical I said it doesn't seem that way it seems like its not getting any gas to the engine when you let off the gas pedal. so now its at the electric mechanic. I don't know what this could be please help me find out before I send a lot of money on it.

Has the check engine light come on? If not, then I would start by checking fuel pump pressure. If the light is on, the computer needs to be scanned to determine what is causing the problem.

I checked my oil when i was at my boyfriends house, it was low, so he put some in, maybe like a quart or so just to get me home and get some oil, i told my mom i didnt know why type he put in, and i didnt want to mess up my car with different oil, but she said it didnt matter, when i was dropping my friend off after i left my boyfriends house, it stalled in his driveway, my engine just shut off. And my car didnt want to start at first, after my mom put two quarts of oil in my car she told me to let it run and cycle through before i go to work, i did and when i put it in drive to leave, the engine shut off again, and then when i was at a red light, the engine did it, it did about 4 times total. I left my car at work all night because i was afraid to drive it. When i was moving it before i left for work, someone i worked with, said i should drive it around the block and see what it does, my oil light didnt come on like it was before, and the engine wasnt turning off when i was stopped. But im afraid theres still something wrong with it

How long since a tune-up? Check applicable trouble codes. When the problem was ongoing with low oil, was the temp rising? Was there any oil showing on the dipstick?

Not sure about the tune up, my temperature was higher than normal, but when i was noticing that i didnt know about the oil yet. We put coolant in it, and found out i have a coolant leak because i will have to put more in at least 3 times a week. When i checked my oil when the light was on, there was very little oil on the dipstick, maybe a drop, put three quarts in, and it was showing up as full, which it shouldnt if my engine was empty on oil, could it be a pressure problem that maybe the oil just isn't getting to the engine?

Check oil pressure.

Engine Performance problem
1998 Pontiac Sunfire 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive

The smell of fuel is strong, in and out of the car as soon as it starts. Runs weak and stalls frequently. Map sensor was replaced a couple months ago. I put my hand to the exhaust and had black spots on it.

Probable causes of an engine running rich are as follows:

1.Excessive fuel pressure can be cause by restricted fuel return line or defective fuel pressure regulator.
2.Defective Oxygen Sensors.
3.Leaking injectors and fuel pressure regulator.
4.Coolant temperature sensor out of calibration.
5.Restricted air intake system.

Would any of these issues cause the car's a/c to run intermittently?

No, it will not-

I have a 98 Pontiac Sunfire GT that acts like it wants to cut out while driving it. As long as you give it some gas it will run until you begin to brake and slow down then the car stalls out. What could the problem be? The car was doing this a while back as well as the catalytic converter was bad so we had that replaced. That took care of the loudness but the stalling issue still remains.
My thoughts are the fuel pump and/or filter isn't allowing enough gas to pass through. There may be a vacuum issue somewhere and I have read that another issue could be the idle control valve.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated......

Well, it could be any of the issues you stated above, or one that isn't.

Does the car stall when you first start it in the morning, just when the engine is cold, just when it's hot, or all the time when you let your foot off the gas?

Is there a Check Engine light on? Usually, a catalytic converter wouldn't cause the car to stall, unless it was really really bad, and started to fall apart inside of the housing. This would usually cause the car to "lag" or run slow, even though the engine was working extra hard.
But having the catalytic converter changed, that eliminates that.

First thing I'd check would be to see if any of the vacuum hoses are loose, or broken. Start the car, give it a little gas, turn off the radio, heater/ac fan, and anything else that may cause more noise than needed.


If it's a vacuum leak, you'll hear a strong "sucking" sound in the engine compartment.

If you can't find one, then maybe change the fuel filter.
I would check those things prior to having the fuel pump replaced. That is a costly repair!

starts for two to five seconds anti-thief system light comes on and car dies.

try another key if you have one not a new key . If the other key does not work you will have to scan it to see what is wrong with system. anti theft is the problem. you will need a regular scanner not an auto parts one as they wont read that. I think that old system you can by pass with a resistor look on you tube or online for it. the newer systems you cannot.

no chip in key. three wires to ignition switch not two wires like most GM's. how do you bypass or rig to work. I know they sell kits or to rig by installing (value) resistor in line on two wire. not familiar with three wire. acting as if doing same thing as not getting signal from key switch.

Keithall3