I have a 2002 Sunfire with a 2200 motor and a 5 spd. Since I bought the car it's had a very annoying issue. When driving at highway speeds, if I use 5th gear, the car will bog down when climbing hills. It almost seems like it runs lean. It will also sometimes do this when taking off from a dead stop, if I don't give it enough throttle it will bog down and start hesitating until the car reaches about 3500 rpm. The bogging only usually happens while trying to accelerate hard when the rpms are below 3000 or even more noticibly while climbing hills.
I should mention that I am running the car with the ICV unplugged, because the car wont idle at all with it plugged in (a whole other problem still dealing with). The car ran the same though even when my ICV valve was functioning.
I have changed many parts already that I will list below, which is why Im beginning to think I may have a ECM or Fuel Pump problem. I removed and changed the 4 spark plugs, and noticed they were very dark when I pulled them, and as I changed them I shined a flashlight down each sparkplug hole and it was soaked with gas inside the combustion chamber, and it smelled strong of gas.
Will also mention that when I bought the car it didnt have a cat on the exhaust, and it does have an 02 sensor thats located just after where the original cat was sitting,
The car is very hard on gas, much harder than my ld9.
At WOT the car SEEMS to be half normal, but it still acts like its not all there.
So far I have changed:
-Both 02 sensors (from scrap yard)
-Fuel filter
-Muffler (now it's pretty much straight pipe)
-Throttle body (from scrap yard)
-Injectors, fuel rail, regulator (from scrap yard)
-4 new plugs (from bosch to AC DELCO) and new wires
-Swapped the two coil packs from a pre2200, but left original plates (seemed the same after)
-put a short ram intake
-changed thermostat, flushed heater core, and rad
The reason I had the ECM in mind is because thats what controls my ICV as well - which isnt working like it's suppose to. I also read online about a TSB or a Recall (I cant recall which it was
) for a flash for the PCM pertaining to a sluggish throttle response and lean conditions. Called GM recalls Canada and my car apparently has no recalls.
ANY input would be greatly apreciated.
Duke
-
Sounds like you are swapping parts, none the less form a junk yard, take it and have a scope hooked up to it.
Should also mention that since changing my injectors, fuel rail, and TB that the odd time I can smell gas inside the car at idle. Which may be another problem I created by using 2nd hand parts, but it hasnt changed the way the car performs, the car actually worked a bit better after I changed them.
I dont mind the DIY approach, until it starts costing more than it would to have the dealer look at it. I have access to the parts if I need any. IF push comes to shove and I have to take it to GM I will. I use it as my daily driver thats why im trying everything I can before I have to take it to the pro's. Plus I work at Dodge so it looks bad
Anyone have any valuable information?
