Vehicle
Pontiac Sunfire
The compact J-body, and mechanically a Chevrolet Cavalier — the same car with different trim, so Cavalier information applies throughout and is far more plentiful. The 2.2 pushrod and later 2.2 Ecotec are the engines most carry. Two faults recur enough to name: the Ecotec's timing chain and tensioner stretch and set correlation codes, and on the earlier 2.2 the intake manifold gasket leaks vacuum and produces lean codes that read as a fuelling problem. The Passlock theft-deterrent system is the usual cause of an intermittent crank-no-start on these, and it will not set an obvious engine code when it acts.
Generations
-
First generation 1995–2005
The Cavalier's twin on GM's J-body; Passlock is the usual cause of an intermittent crank-no-start.
- Body styles
- Sedan · Coupé · Convertible
- Platform
- GM J-body
- Engines
-
- 2.2 four-cylinder — LN2 · petrol · 86 kW (115 hp) · 183 Nm (135 lb-ft) · OHV
- 2.2 Ecotec — L61 · petrol · 203 Nm (150 lb-ft)
- 2.3 Quad 4 — LD2 · petrol · 112 kW (150 hp) · 203 Nm (150 lb-ft)
- 2.4 Quad 4 — LD9 · petrol · 112 kW (150 hp) · 210 Nm (155 lb-ft)
- Transmissions
- 5-speed manual · 4-speed automatic · 3-speed automatic · 3/4-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-wheel drive
Information, not instruction
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Have anything you intend to act on checked by a trained person against the manufacturer's own procedure for your vehicle. Nothing here replaces that procedure.
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