Troubleshooting a Pontiac Sunbird
- 1). Look under your Pontiac Sunbird on a regular basis. As cars age, the gaskets and seals that are used in them become less effective, and may lead to small leaks. Finding these leaks early and replacing the gasket or seal can prevent a more expensive repair down the road.
- 2). Insert the key into the ignition and turn the key to start the car. Listen to the sounds as the car starts. Make sure the electrical components come on as you turn the key. If the radio, fan or lights do not work, and the car slowly turns over, the battery may need to be replaced or charged.
- 3). Drive the Pontiac Sunbird and observe how the car responds as you accelerate. If the car seems to hesitate before accelerating, you may have a plugged fuel filter. When you return home, turn the engine off and allow the car to cool down. Open the hood, and remove and inspect the fuel filter. If the filter is dirty or plugged, replace it with a new one.
- 4). Listen to the wheels and brakes as you drive the car. If you hear a squeaking when you apply the brakes, it is an indication that the brake pads have reached their wear bars and will soon need to be replaced. If left too long, the brake pad material will wear away, possibly damaging the rotor and requiring it to be replaced.
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