Pontiac Sunbird Car starts and then dies Inspection at your home or office.

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Car starts and then dies Inspection Service

How much does a Car starts and then dies Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Pontiac Sunbird Car starts and then dies Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1992 Pontiac SunbirdV6-3.1LService typeCar starts and then dies InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
1992 Pontiac SunbirdL4-2.0LService typeCar starts and then dies InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1976 Pontiac SunbirdL4-2.3LService typeCar starts and then dies InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1987 Pontiac SunbirdL4-2.0L TurboService typeCar starts and then dies InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
1990 Pontiac SunbirdL4-2.0L TurboService typeCar starts and then dies InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
1986 Pontiac SunbirdL4-1.8LService typeCar starts and then dies InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1989 Pontiac SunbirdL4-2.0L TurboService typeCar starts and then dies InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
1991 Pontiac SunbirdV6-3.1LService typeCar starts and then dies InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example Pontiac Sunbird Car starts and then dies Inspection prices

Starting a vehicle only to have it quit immediately after can be confusing and annoying for many drivers especially if their vehicle has not experienced this type of issue before. Typically, a vehicle will start and then quit because of an issue with the fuel or electrical system. It is important to monitor fuel levels as well as warning lights which can signal to the driver that a vehicle may quit unexpectedly.

How this system works:

To start a vehicle, the electrical system, composed of the battery and starter, turns the engine over. Once running, the engine requires a constant flow of gasoline and good spark to keep that fuel igniting. If gasoline is not readily available, or if there is not enough spark, the engine will quit. More modern vehicles with sophisticated computers may affect the way the vehicle runs. These computers help the car run efficiently but can also shut a car down if the fuel/air mixture is not correct. While an older vehicle may be less sophisticated and easier to diagnose, the computers on modern cars can provide more specific information when connected to a code scanner/reader.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Mass Airflow Sensor: The mass airflow sensor measures how much air is entering the engine and relays this information to the vehicle’s computer so that the right amount of fuel can be delivered from the fuel injectors. When a sensor begins to fail, the vehicle’s computer may generate an error code to indicate that something has gone wrong. An issue with the mass airflow sensor may manifest itself when a car starts and then stalls soon after starting.

  • Fuel Pump Relay: The fuel pump relay functions much like a fuse for an electric fuel pump. The fuel pump relay engages as the vehicle is started and starts the fuel pump. While the vehicle is running, the fuel pump relay turns off and the fuel pump is powered by the oil pressure sending unit. If the vehicle’s computer is unable to keep the fuel pump relay running throughout the starting process, the vehicle may start and quit immediately after starting.

  • Ignition Coil: Your vehicle’s ignition coil takes the low voltage of the battery and provides the thousands of volts needed to create a spark in the spark plugs. When an ignition coil begins to fail, it may struggle to provide consistent spark to the plugs, causing the engine to stall after starting.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the reason why the vehicle starts and then dies. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report outlining why the vehicle quit and the cost of any repairs that need to be made.

How it's done:

A mechanic will begin diagnosing your vehicle’s issue by plugging a code reader/scanner into the vehicle’s computer. The mechanic should be able to get more information from your vehicle’s computer on what component has failed. Using this information, the mechanic can begin necessary repairs.

If your vehicle has a bad or failing mass airflow sensor, the mechanic will begin by finding the sensor in the engine bay and checking for any signs of failure. The mechanic should check the wire harness connected to the sensor to ensure that all of wires are properly connected. After removing the sensor, the mechanic should be able to discover the nature of the failure and replace the sensor.

If the mechanic suspects an issue with the fuel pump relay, he or she should check the vehicle’s computer for a problem. If the vehicle’s computer is having difficulty providing consistent power to the fuel pump relay, the computer may need to be reprogrammed or replaced. If the vehicle’s computer is functioning normally, the mechanic may need to replace the fuel pump relay.

If the mechanic suspects that the ignition coil may be faulty, he or she should first disconnect the battery before beginning work. The mechanic should then begin the process of disconnecting wires from the ignition coil and removing it from the engine bay. The mechanic will then install the new ignition coil and ensure that it is connected properly. The mechanic should then reconnect the battery and test the new coil.

With all repairs, the mechanic will ensure the newly installed parts work properly. The mechanic can then turn off and warning lights that may have come on while the vehicle was not running properly.

How important is this service?

If your vehicle is starting but dying soon after starting, you should have it checked out by a mechanic. Issues involving the fuel management and electrical systems will become worse if not dealt with. Diligence and paying attention to warning lights may help prevent further damage to critical engine component and may save money in repairs. A vehicle that quits after starting can be inconvenient and having a mobile mechanic inspect and repair you vehicle will ensure that you and your vehicle are back on the road soon.

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Excellent Rating

(5)

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Andrew

11 years of experience
872 reviews
Andrew
11 years of experience
Pontiac Sunbird L4-2.0L - Axle / CV Shaft Assembly Replacement (Driver Side Front) - Kansas City, Missouri
Very good experience with this service, Andrew was a true life saver. Will definitely be using this service again. I will definitely recommend this service to everyone that needs or could use it. Thank you

John

6 years of experience
35 reviews
John
6 years of experience
Pontiac Sunbird V6-3.8L - Car does not move when I step on the gas pedal Inspection - Renton, Washington
John was super awesome and honest. He showed and explained why I needed certain things and was very helpful in making a well informed decision. Highly reccomend him.

Paul

10 years of experience
38 reviews
Paul
10 years of experience
Pontiac Sunbird L4-2.0L - Ignition Lock Assembly - Austin, Texas

Michael

40 years of experience
131 reviews
Michael
40 years of experience
Pontiac Sunbird L4-2.0L - Car is overheating - Columbus, Ohio
Michael was very professional, kind, courteous, attentive. He listened to what I had to say and helped to find the solution to the problem. Thank you, Mike, for everything you did to get me back on the road. 

Excellent Rating

(5)

Rating Summary
5
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5
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Number of Pontiac Sunbird services completed
55+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Pontiac MECHANICS
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