Pontiac Sunfire

If your wipers work just fine on "intermittent" (they sweep across the windshield and return to the bottom of the windshield then wait about 5 seconds until the next sweep and repeat) but when you turn them to the "Off position then they stop in the up position rather then park then the parking pawl probably has a broken spring and is not working correctly. The pawl is a 1.25" long piece of metal external to the motor and is part of the Stack-O-Plates on the output shaft of the motor and to which the wiper push rods are attached. When you turn the wipers to "Off" the motor will reverse direction and the pawl will catch on a stationary tab that is part of the motor/wiper frame. This will hold the wipers in the down position while the motor continues to run and allow the parking Stack-O-Plates-Spring-Wrapped gizmo to do its magic which drags the wiper arms down into the extra low "parked" position. If the tiny spring that holds the pawl in the out position breaks then the pawl will not engage the stationary tab. The wipers will then continue swinging upward through half a swing at which point a cam/switch that is internal to the pulse board (the cover on the motor output gear (three T20 Torx screws to remove) will tell the motor to stop because it thinks the parking Stack-O-Plates gizmo has finished doing its job but instead the wiper arms will be stuck in the "Hello, I'm a dork" raised flag position.

WARNING: Use caution while working around the wiper mechanism. If the key is on and the wiper lever is set to "Intermediate" then the motor can start unexpectedly. If your fingers are down there in the wrong place, the mechanism has more than enough power to break bones and/or peal the skin right off of them. Don't be afraid, just be deliberate and methodical and always be aware if the motor/electronics are energized.

It is very easy to remove the motor/wiper assembly so do not hesitate to do so:

Remove the plastic covers off the wiper arm retaining nuts.

Remove the wiper arm nuts with a 13mm socket.

Twist and pull with your finger tips and finger nails at the base of the small rubber squirt tubing off the hard plastic squirt delivery tubes.

You may have to yard up and down on the wiper arms pretty hard to get them loose from their tapered shafts. Don't be a mindless gorilla but be brave and keep at it. They will come loose.

Remove the cowl cover by pulling or prying out the center of the six retaining push pins. Then lift the cowl cover up then out at a 45 degree angle. You will find the cover is a very tight fit between the right hand wiper shaft and the weatherstrip at the base of the windshield. Be brave and keep pulling and prying until it comes loose.

Reinstalling the cowl cover and getting the rubber weather strip over the cover is the hardest part of the whole job. Use putty knifes (slowly and carefully!) or a very small slender screwdriver. It took me half an hour just to do this part of the job that. ugh.

Remove the 3 bolts holding the wiper assembly.

Disconnect the electrical connector by squeezing the retaining tab that you cant see on the backside of the connector. You have to squeeze real hard.

Lift the wiper assembly out.

Remove the Stack-O-Plates assembly from the motor output shaft (T30 Torx) to access the pawl to put on a spring. I wrapped one and a half loops of spring around one protrusion on the end of the pawl and around one tab of the stationary clip that limits the swing of the pawl to hold it in the "swung out" position. The loop of spring applies very light pressure but that is all it needs. This will all make sense when you are looking at the pawl mechanism. I cut off one and a half loops from a spring like what you would find in a retractable ball point pen but bigger. Use what spring you can find even if it from a ball point pen. When the motor runs in the forward direction the pawl harmlessly swings out of the way as it passes by the stationary tab. Bend the stationary tab in or out as necessary so the pawl engages straight on to it. I will try and post pictures of all this.

Before remounting the whole Stack-O-Plates gizmo assembly you will need to set the motor into the correctly timed position. Plug the motor in, then turn the wipers to "Intermediate". When the motor stops then turn off the ignition switch or quickly disconnect the motor. The motor is now in the correct position. Remount the Stack-O-Plates so there is about 1/4" to 1" space between the pawl and the stationary tab. Tighten down the T30 Torx bolt (blue lock tight recommended) then test the unit to see if the pawl engages to the stationary tab and lets the parking Stack-O-Plates do all its parking gyrations before you remount the whole wiper assembly. When you are all done try not to wear out the wipers by constantly turning them on and off for the next few hours of driving just so you can marvel at your handy work. :O)

Buy the way, if you turn the wipers off and they just wiggle a little bit while the motor goes click-click-click-click trying to do its parking thing then you need to alter (slightly) the relationship between the cam/switch arm inside the pulse module (again, the cover on the motor output gear, three T20 Torx screws to remove). There are two switch/contact arms in the center of the pulse board. The one closest to the board that engages the plastic cam mounted to the board is the one you want to change slightly. The other free floating arm is driven by the cam on the big motor output gear and is the contact to let the electronics know the output gear has rotated half a turn and the wipers are now parked. I bent the one arm closest to the pulse board away from its cam just slightly so that only about 3/4 of the "hook" on the end of the arm (you will know what I mean when you look at it) is hitting the ramp on the cam (the cam spins clockwise). Verify that the electrical contact actually opens a bit when the arm is riding on the high part of the cam. You may have to adjust and verify a number of times to find that sweet spot where it runs reliably. It took me half an hour of fiddling. O_0

I believe 1995 through 2005 fenders are all the same. Surely a 1996 and 1997 fender will fit a 1998 model.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 2.2L Engine NOTE: The following procedure requires the use of a special tool. 1. Remove the serpentine belt and tensioner. NOTE: Although not absolutely necessary, removal of the right front inner fender splash shield will facilitate access to the front cover. 2. Install a suitable engine support fixture. 3. Remove the engine mount assembly. 4. Remove the alternator rear brace, then remove the alternator. 5. Remove the power steering pump, then position it aside with the lines still attached. 6. Raise and safely support the vehicle. 7. Remove the front two oil pan bolts. 8. Remove the crankshaft pulley. 9. Unfasten the front cover-to-block bolts and then remove the front cover. If the front cover is difficult to remove, use a plastic mallet to carefully loosen the cover

that was happening on my 99 sunfire gt last year i just put red lock tight on the inside hole and let it dry for about 1 hour and they never came out since

most of them as long as you go 96-00 and not the bumpers, ext lights, front fendors or hood everything else can be swapped body panels do need "finessing"

What it will cost you to replace the distributor cap on a Pontiac Sunfire will vary depending on if you do it yourself or if you take it to a garage. The cost can be over $100 if you take your car to a garage.

If you'll pick up a Haynes or Chilton manual for your car, you will find everything you need to know about service and maintenance. Haynes is very clear about the need to have a certified AC technician do anything involving purging the refrigerant. This must be done prior to replacing the compressor.

FriPilot

Autozone's website shows two options.

One rotor, $23.06 with a one year warranty.

One rotor, $36.26 with a two year warranty.

You might want to shop around a bit.

FriPilot

I am not sure exactly where the oxygen sensor(s) would be located, but the location that is generally chosen is upstream of the catalytic converter and close enough to the firewall for shorter wires to be routed from the wiring harness.

I know that on a '96 the fuel filter is an in-line type near the fuel tank. As Pontiac hasn't really altered much on the Sunfire in over ten years, I'd suggest starting there.

on the master cylinder ? 2. of them

The 2003 Pontiac Sunfire came from the manufacturer equipped with 225 65R 15 tires. The back and the front tires were the same size.

It screeches because it's starting up.

No there is only one located in the Fuel tank.

Fuel filter should be either along frame rail or in front of tank -- follow fuel lines Remove clamps and replace filter Make note of fuel flow direction on filter

You can do this without adding a remote starter.

PASSLOCK I or II DISABLEMENT

The following is a procedure to disable Passlock I or II Systems for vehicles

in which remote start/stop system installations are required. This procedure

is required because a remote start system will not function with the current

Theft Deterrent System (Passlock) which is included on many 1996 and up GM

vehicles.

Please note that this modification is intended to be used only in conjunction

with the installation of a remote start/stop system and does not provide a

procedure to install a remote start/stop system.

CAUSE

If an attempt is made to start a vehicle by a means other than a key rotation

in the ignition switch, the Body Control Module (BCM) will interpret this

start as a vehicle theft and disable the fuel injectors.

CORRECTION

A minor wiring modification may be made to allow the vehicle to be started

remotely. This modification includes adding a switch to allow the customer to

select "ON" to allow remote starting or "OFF" for normal Passlock operation.

CAUTION: When this modification is performed and the switch is set to the ON

position, the theft deterrent feature will be disabled. When the theft

deterrent is disabled the SECURITY/THEFT SYSTEM telltale will light up

indicating that the theft deterrent system is NOT functioning.

PASSLOCK MODIFICATION

Refer to appropriate GM service manuals and/or SVMQP Electrical Guideline

Manual for instruction on splicing and electrical connections.

1. Select a suitable on-off switch (see note below) which will be used to

disable/

enable the Passlock System. Mount the switch in a location such that it is

accessible to the driver and will not interfere with normal vehicle operation.

NOTE: This is an extremely low current circuit (approx. 7mA), it is therefore

very important that a high quality, low energy, fast acting switch be

utilized

for this application.

2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.

3. Locate the Main Ignition Switch Harness in the Column. GM's Passlock

System wires exit the Ignition Switch Tumbler together and then join with the

Main Ignition Switch Harness. (See http://www.bulldogsecurity.com/ or

http://64.85.6.118/diagrams/diagrams.asp and select your Make, Model and

Year for wire colors and clues on the quickest way to access these wires.)

4. Locate the Yellow Passlock Data Wire which is included in a bundle of

three tiny (20 GA) wires wrapped in friction tape.

Cut this wire and splice a 0.5mm2 (20 GA) yellow wire to each end of the cut

wire.

Keep wire length to a minimum. Route modification wires clear of moving parts.

Connect the yellow wires to the switch such that the contacts are OPEN when

the switch is in the ON position.

5. Turn modification switch to the OFF position (contacts closed).

6. Start vehicle to verify normal operation. If engine "cranks but will not

start"

recheck the switch position (contacts should be closed), wire connectors and

modification wiring.

SWITCH OPERATION

To enable remote start:

Start the engine with the ignition key (modification switch must be in the

OFF

position). Turn modification switch to the ON position (contacts open). The

SECURITY/THEFT SYSTEM Telltale will light up indicating that the Passlock

System is inoperative.

Once the SECURITY/THEFT SYSTEM telltale has been on for at least 5 seconds

the vehicle can be turned off and then remotely started.

To disable remote start:

The Passlock System can be reactivated by turning the modification switch OFF

(contacts closed). Vehicle can either be running or off when this is done.

Please note that the VCM/PCM will record Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)

related to the security system when the modification switch is in the ON

position (circuit open). This is due to the way that the VCM/PCM interprets

this condition.

NOTICE

Any condition which removes battery power from the Vehicle Control

Module/Powertrain Control Module (VCM/PCM) (e.g. dead battery, disconnected

harness connectors, etc.) will prevent the vehicle from being restarted. If

the engine exhibits a "cranks but will not start" symptom, place the

modification switch in the OFF (contacts closed) position. This will

reactivate the Passlock System and allow the vehicle to be started with the

ignition key.

Any time after six o clock

Laws will vary a bit between jurisdictions, but this version from the State Of New Jersey is pretty common;

"Proper use of headlights is critical to safe driving. Headlights must be used between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise. Headlights must also be used when visibility is 500 feet or less, when using windshield wipers (during rain, snow and ice) or when encountering fog, mist, smoke or other factors that reduce visibility."

Note that many semi trucks will use their headlights 24/7. It's a safety issue. Being seen is important.

You will have to get to them from under the car. Jack the front up and secure it with jack stands. Don't forget to brace the rear tires from rolling. When you look up you should be able to look up and trace the wire to the light.

take it to the dealership or a respectable service center and pay through the nose for them to do it.

they refill the system with R-12 (which replaced freon after the hippies had a fit.) this is a very expensive procedure and is illegal for anyone besides a certified tech.

Very true. but they also made r-12 illegal to use in 1994 after tree huggers had a fit. so brush up on your mechanical knowledge. they now use what is called r-134a.

Call a dealer and find out what type of refrigerant your car takes. If they say r12, you need a conversion kit from WalMart to convert it to 134a. If they say 134a, then you only need the recharge kit (-) and just follow the instructions from there.

If you're needing frequent recharges to keep it working then its leaking somewhere. you will have to bring it somewhere that tests a/c and have them leak test it and repair the leak. Then they can pressure test it and recharge it and it should last many more years

You'll have to siphon out the gas through the gas filler. If the tank is full, you'll need several gas cans for the gas.

if ur just scraping the car, drive an awl, nail, or anything else into the gas tank and put a bucket underneath. then to make sure uve ony got gas and no gas tank chunks or car crud take a coffee filter and place it in a funnel and pour the gas from the bucket into the funnel goin to either a jerry can or anything else that holds gas. i assume no responsability for people that blow up or catch them selves on fire from this and yes this WIll wreck your gas tank . but syphoning also works like said before

Open the hood on your Sunfire. Remove the radiator cap from the radiator overflow bottle.

Turn the engine on in the Sunfire, and let the engine run for no less than 15 minutes. Set the dials on the heater control panel to full fan speed, full heat, and front defrost positions. This will speed up the processes of heating the engine to full temperature. Removing the radiator cap and performing these procedures will allow the pressure in the engine to build up. As the pressure gradually increases, the weight of the coolant will force air bubbles out through the radiator overflow bottle hole. This process is called bleeding the cooling system.

Turn the engine off when you notice that there are no more bubbles coming from the radiator overflow. Top off the radiator overflow bottle with fresh coolant. Use 50/50 diluted, universal coolant to fill the overflow. Replace the radiator cap when the reservoir is at the "Full" mark.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7734216_bleed-system-Pontiac-sunfire-22l.HTML

Can be as high as 'more than the car is worth'!

What is dual CD player wire color codes?

There is no speedo cable on a Sunfire.