1999 Pontiac Sunfire Logo
Anonymous Posted on Jul 28, 2012

The car is overheating but ck eng light not coming on. The transmission catches hard intermittently. The rpms seem to be running higher than normal.

If you leave the air on to recirculate air temp stays mostly in the safe zone.

1 Answer

Jonah Oneal

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  • Pontiac Master 14,092 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 28, 2012
Jonah Oneal
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Check for low coolant level.check coolant overflow jug if it is empty, more likely air is in the coolant system.add more coolant to overflow jug until coolant level stay at cold full mark,dont over fill coolant overflow jug.if all is good, to be on the safe side, replace radiator cap,replace thermostat,if your engine overheat at a long slow driving traffic.or long stop idling, if cooling fan dont turn on more likely engine coolant temperature sensor could be faulty.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 75 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 17, 2009

SOURCE: Coolant problems related to transmission?

tran should be ok need to take head to repair shap and be sure head is ok and not cracked. thermostat, radiator, or cap, hoses need to be checked to dtermine what caused it to run hot also check engine fan. Pls rate this solution

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Molson02536

Harvey N Tawatao

  • 3854 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 27, 2009

SOURCE: Have a 95 Pontiac Sunfire. Bought car with blown

Keep it simple, try flushing out the cooling system with Preston radiator flush, just follow the instruction on the bottle and replace the coolant with a 50/50 mix. Note that the orange antifreeze are know to crystallize if the concentration is to high and will plug up the water jackets and radiator so a good radiator flush will fix the poor circulation problem, also try to keep the coolant to a 50/50 mix, to much antifreeze will gel up when heated and to much water will boil over.  As for the temperature sensor, it's not that expensive and can be replaced with simple tools, also check the wire harness to ensure that there are no damages or corrosion that would cause a false reading.

Anonymous

  • 962 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 18, 2009

SOURCE: 96 grand prix is surging and stalling

Get a free code at AutoZone or some other place. It could be one of the many sensor problems. Especially the idler sensor or Map, Maf, and on from there.

Testimonial: "Thanks! I never thought about going there. It give me a good place to start!"

Molson02536

Harvey N Tawatao

  • 3854 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 13, 2009

SOURCE: Low oil pressure indicater light comes on after

Replace the oil pressure switch, you can pick this oil pressure switch at Auto Zone and they can give you the step by step instructions to replacing the switch runs around $10.00. Note do note use any Teflon tape on the threads, there tapered and need a good ground to the engine for proper readings. If you hear any damaging noise from the engine, then it's a good chance that your oil pump has gone bad and needs to be replaced. With your car running 12 years, il'd start running a heavier rated oil like 10W30 and even add Lucas engine oil additives. Good luck and hope it's just a bad oil pressure switch.

emissionwiz

Marvin

  • 85242 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 28, 2011

SOURCE: car overheating Repair shop replaced thermostat

Has the cooling fan been tested to see if it runs? to check this turn on the AC the fans should turn on and off as the AC system rises and falls. If the cooling fan works then you will need to have the engine checked for a leaking cylinder head gasket, when the head gasket leaks combustion gases into the cooling system and this creates a gas pocket around the Thermostat, only the hot liquid coolant has the energy to trigger the thermostat to open, so the engine will overheat. DO NOT DRIVE THIS WITH THE ENGINE OVERHEATING, have the problem checked by a qualified technician ASAP, if you continue to drive it you will do severe damage to the engine. The engine in this van DOES NOT TOLERATE OVERHEATING FOR VERY LONG.

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