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1997 Pontiac Sunfire: Gone through theft attempt and now won't start
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MoTaZ
New User
Mar 26, 2011, 3:14 AM
Post #1 of 4
(3959 views)
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1997 Pontiac Sunfire: Gone through theft attempt and now won't start
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Hello guys, my name is Motaz.
YEAR OF VEHICLE: 1997
MAKE OF VEHICLE: PONTIAC
MODEL OF VEHICLE: SUNFIRE (I don't know the the exact type, but two picture will be provided at the end of the topic)
ENGINE SIZE: dont know
MILEAGE/KILOMETERS: 36,000
VIDEO with vocal description showing the damages to the car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJUFwVLnAxs
A guy tried to steal my car a while ago. The result was that the ignition became damaged, and now the car doesn't start anymore. When I put the key in the ignition and try to twist it, it doesn't twist. However, when the key is in the ignition and I open the door, the car beeps. That means its still electrically connected or something I guess. I also noticed a open area under the driving wheel, but I don't know whether that was there already or not; I will provide a picture. I will also provide a picture of the ignition. Moving on, also the thief tried made an open whole in between the two seats by removing something. I don't know whether he needed that to steal the car or whether he was just thinking that I hide stuff there. One last irrelevant thing, when I lowered my head and looked at the accelerator, I noticed that some ignition system parts and wires right there without any barrier between them and the accelerator/brake (my car is automatic). Isn't that dangerous ?
PICTURE of ignition: http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8462/img00029201103260203.jpg
PICTURE of Under-Ignition: http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/1549/img00031201103260208.jpg
PICTURE of lack of barrier between accelerator/brake: http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/571/img00034201103260211.jpg
PICTURE of the between-seats (outside): http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/5958/img00032201103260210.jpg
PICTURE of the between-seats (inside): http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/5572/img00033201103260210.jpg
PICTURE of car (1): http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/8742/31194101501828823758585.jpg
PICTURE of car (2): http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/3158/31194101501828824008585.jpg
Thanks
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 26, 2011, 11:34 AM
Post #2 of 4
(3951 views)
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Re: 1997 Pontiac Sunfire: Gone through theft attempt and now won't start
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Hi Motaz,
The reason key won't turn is the jerk failed to get the cylinder out and it will need to go. Broken parts could be found used and dyed to color and wires need be put back where they belong.
In that you don't even know the engine size and I mean no harm this needs to go out for the repair. Broken column parts can be dyed to match if same colors can't be had. That dye is available at places body shops get their supplies as a liquid. I doubt you'll find it in a spray can. You can if it was black or white and that's about it that I know of.
Have insurance for this? There's a chance of who knows what else is damaged with playing with the wire as we don't know what they tried that failed. Not very good thieves - they probably wanted parts as the whole car has a VIN which is like its DNA and near impossible to sell or register.
Idiots - sorry it happened,
T
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MoTaZ
New User
Mar 26, 2011, 10:24 PM
Post #3 of 4
(3937 views)
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Re: 1997 Pontiac Sunfire: Gone through theft attempt and now won't start
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Hey Tom, thanks for the fast reply
You said the thief tried to take out the cylinder. I'm guessing that's a cylinder in the ignition system and not the famous cylinders of the engine. As for taking it to a mechanic, I have money and I can take it, but I'd rather learn about my car and work on it myself. I already have "auto repair for dummies" and I finished a chapter in which I made a monthly check-up of the car. I learned a few things and I can learn much more. The question is, however, can I fix it myself if I learn and search ? or is it necessary to take it to a mechanic ?
Thank you
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 27, 2011, 3:11 AM
Post #4 of 4
(3935 views)
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Re: 1997 Pontiac Sunfire: Gone through theft attempt and now won't start
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OK: Can't say everyone's skill level at this stuff so I use caution. You have an air bag to get thru to replace the key part in the column. There will be specific procedures for that and can be dangerous of course if not done exactly right. That part you may want to farm out as you would be pulling the steering wheel, then a special tool to remove the wheel. Been a while, bear with me, then when you get to the lock cylinder there will be a small bolt or something that retains it in place. There a star wheel which makes the wheel lock as you know and turning the key releases that. Again, that part is not butchered so norms may not apply now and with the air bag considered I say let that part of the job go out. It may require forcing the cylinder to turn somehow to remove it and that's where the jerk failed. Hey - even without fancy anti-theft stuff it's not that simple to just make a key cylinder turn by design and been like that for ages.
You can find broken parts used and paint them in preparation and it can be brushed on but better sprayed if you don't find the exact color. The paint called a dye is kinda pricey but I used to find it in small quantities. You don't need a gallon of it! Pretty much if you found any broken parts like that new they would usually all be one color anyway and need dying. Car makers don't like wasting money either so most of that stuff is not color thru plastic but dyed.
You are there and I'm here so you have the advantage to know the extent of what. Take a look at the wires that were messed with and see if you can figure out how they are damaged and it might be just matching things up and putting stuff back - can't say.
If the jerk really messed with it, it could have harmed stuff down the line but you probably can get the wires all back where they belong. If cut do nice soldered splices to put back together and whatever held them in place needs be tended to so they aren't rubbing things. All this part is damage so there's no standard way to say from here but if your eyes are good bet you could figure it out.
More: If this had a key chip or any anti-theft electronic system that could be another challenge unknown right now. If no chip it will make it easier. If a chip it would have to be matched up to the car electronically by a procedure I don't have at my disposal.
You can certainly do a lot of the work even if not all. Jerks from the past ones I've seen used dent pullers to get a lock cylinder out or even just a hammer and smash thru to get to parts as the key is really remote to the ignition switch but does lock the wheel too.
IDK - at the age you might find an intact whole steering column used and good with a key! You would know what's available to you where you are.
Seems like and expected that the jerk was in a hurry and quit. These jerks (that's just what they are) come with various skills to steal a car. Wasn't that smart as jerk could have just towed the whole car away and taken his/her? time.
I really think most all thefts are for joy rides or mostly looking for parts then dump what's left. Corrupt body shops have been caught using stolen parts.
Suks. The car has identifiable VIN #s all thru it so it's near impossible to keep it whole to use, register or resell.
Give it shot if you are up to it. If you want to do the lock cylinder please find the exact safe procedures.
Good luck,
Tom
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