1990 Pontiac Sunbird

1990 Pontiac Sunbird

The 1990 Pontiac Sunbird is a compact car that was available in three trim levels: the base SE, the mid-level GT, and the top-of-the-line SE Turbo. The Sunbird was offered with a variety of engine and transmission options, including a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 86 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 110 horsepower and 120 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.3-liter Quad 4 four-cylinder engine with 160 horsepower and 160 pound-feet of torque. Transmission options included a four-speed manual transmission, a five-speed manual transmission, and a three-speed automatic transmission.

People like the Pontiac Sunbird because it is:

• Fuel-efficient
• Reliable
• Affordable
• Easy to drive

People dislike the Pontiac Sunbird because it is:

• Not very powerful
• Not very spacious
• Has a few known issues

Engine

1.8-liter Four-Cylinder Engine

• Blown Head Gasket:
  • Description/Symptoms: Leaks coolant, overheats, white smoke from exhaust
  • Solution: Replace head gasket
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $1,500+

2.0-liter Four-Cylinder Engine

• Intake Manifold Gasket Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leak, overheating, rough idle
  • Solution: Replace intake manifold gasket
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000

2.3-liter Quad 4 Four-Cylinder Engine

• Ignition Control Module (ICM) Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: No spark, engine won’t start, stalling
  • Solution: Replace ICM
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500
• Water Pump Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leak, overheating, whining noise
  • Solution: Replace water pump
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600

Transmission

Four-Speed Manual Transmission

• Grinding Gears:
  • Description/Symptoms: Difficulty shifting gears, grinding noise
  • Solution: Replace synchronizers
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000

Five-Speed Manual Transmission

• Synchronizer Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Difficulty shifting gears, grinding noise
  • Solution: Replace synchronizers
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000

Three-Speed Automatic Transmission

• Slipping Gears:
  • Description/Symptoms: Transmission slipping out of gear, loss of power
  • Solution: Rebuild or replace transmission
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $3,000+
• Torque Converter Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Shuddering, vibration, slipping gears
  • Solution: Replace torque converter
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,500+

Suspension

• Front Struts Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Bouncing, clunking, uneven tire wear
  • Solution: Replace front struts
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $800+
• Rear Shocks Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Bouncing, clunking, uneven tire wear
  • Solution: Replace rear shocks
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+

Electrical

• Alternator Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Dim headlights, dead battery, warning light
  • Solution: Replace alternator
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+
• Starter Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Engine won’t start, grinding noise
  • Solution: Replace starter
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+

Exterior

• Window Motor Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Window won’t move, clicking noise
  • Solution: Replace window motor
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
• Door Lock Actuator Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Door won’t lock or unlock, buzzing noise
  • Solution: Replace door lock actuator
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300+

Interior

• Dashboard Cracking:
  • Description/Symptoms: Cracks in the dashboard
  • Solution: Replace dashboard
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
• Heater Core Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: No heat, coolant leak
  • Solution: Replace heater core
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+

Summary

The 1990 Pontiac Sunbird is a reliable and affordable car, but it does have a few known issues. The most common issues include head gasket failure, intake manifold gasket failure, ignition control module (ICM) failure, water pump failure, grinding gears, slipping gears, torque converter failure, front strut failure, alternator failure, starter failure, window motor failure, door lock actuator failure, dashboard cracking, and heater core failure. While some of these issues are minor and inexpensive to fix, others can be major and expensive. Therefore, it is important to be aware of these issues before buying a 1990 Pontiac Sunbird.