2001 Chevrolet Cavalier Logo
chris s Posted on Jan 23, 2012

Engine won't fire

The engine has spark and fuel pressure (just replaced fuel pump) almost sounds like it want's to catch but won't fire.

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  • Posted on Jan 28, 2012
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Had a similar problem with my 2000 one time when I ran it out of fuel, was down for a week before I realized there was a vapor lock in the fuel line. Did you try bleading the fuel system?

5 Related Answers

emissionwiz

Marvin

  • 85242 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 15, 2008

SOURCE: Will not start

Most likely it is the ignition module or the crank pickup.

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Anonymous

  • 245 Answers
  • Posted on May 24, 2009

SOURCE: engine would not start after shut down check fuse,relay seems to be good change fuel pump and getting power to pump not building up any pressure from fuel bleeder,coil has good spark(blue) when i prim

you either have a clogged filter or a bad fuel pump.

Anonymous

  • 15935 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 18, 2009

SOURCE: 2001 Chevy Malibu, 89,000 miles, 3.1 engine, won't start

CLICK HERE for the injector schematic.
CLICK HERE for the Ignition schematic.

Since the PCM uses info gatheres from the crank and cam sensors to calculate ignition - and there are no OBD codes - in all likelihood, the PCM itself is bad.

The Ignition Module, also transmits to the PCM.

It appears after all your testing - that the PCM is at fault.

It does not error report on itself (unfortunately).

The ignition timing is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). No adjustment is necessary (distributorless ignition) or possible.

Please see the following....

The ignition timing is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). No adjustment is necessary or possible.
The engines covered by this manual are equipped with distributorless ignitions, ignition timing is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), as applicable. No adjustments are possible. If ignition timing is not within specification, there is a fault in the engine control system. Diagnose and repair the problem as necessary.
Ignition timing is the measurement, in degrees of crankshaft rotation, of the point at which the spark plugs fire in each of the cylinders. It is measured in degrees before or after Top Dead Center (TDC) of the compression stroke.
Ideally, the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder will be ignited by the spark plug just as the piston passes TDC of the compression stroke. If this happens, the piston will be at the beginning of the power stroke just as the compressed and ignited air/fuel mixture forces the piston down and turns the crankshaft. Because it takes a fraction of a second for the spark plug to ignite the mixture in the cylinder, the spark plug must fire a little before the piston reaches TDC. Otherwise, the mixture will not be completely ignited as the piston passes TDC and the full power of the explosion will not be used by the engine.
The timing measurement is given in degrees of crankshaft rotation before the piston reaches TDC (BTDC). If the setting for the ignition timing is 10 BTDC, each spark plug must fire 10 degrees before each piston reaches TDC. This only holds true, however, when the engine is at idle speed. The combustion process must be complete by 23° ATDC to maintain proper engine performance, fuel mileage, and low emissions.
As the engine speed increases, the pistons go faster. The spark plugs have to ignite the fuel even sooner if it is to be completely ignited when the piston reaches TDC. Spark timing changes are accomplished electronically by the engine and ignition control computers.
If the ignition is set too far advanced (BTDC), the ignition and expansion of the fuel in the cylinder will occur too soon and tend to force the piston down while it is still traveling up. This causes pre ignition or -knocking and pinging-. If the ignition spark is set too far retarded, or after TDC (ATDC), the piston will have already started on its way down when the fuel is ignited. The piston will be forced down for only a portion of its travel, resulting in poor engine performance and lack of power.
Timing marks or scales can be found on the rim of the crankshaft pulley and the timing cover. The marks on the pulley correspond to the position of the piston in the No. 1 cylinder. A stroboscopic (dynamic) timing light is hooked onto the No. 1 cylinder spark plug wire (2.2L engine only, on the 2.4L engines, special adapters are needed) . Every time the spark plug fires, the timing light flashes. By aiming the light at the timing marks while the engine is running, the exact position of the piston within the cylinder can be easily read (the flash of light makes the mark on the pulley appear to be standing still). Proper timing is indicated when the mark and scale are in specified alignment.


WARNING When checking timing with the engine running, take care not to get the timing light wires tangled in the fan blades and/or drive belts.

The engines covered by this manual are equipped with distributorless ignitions, ignition timing is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), as applicable. No adjustments are possible. If ignition timing is not within specification, there is a fault in the engine control system. Diagnose and repair the problem as necessary.




Thanks for using FixYa!!

Anonymous

  • 3600 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 19, 2010

SOURCE: did engine swap on 97 1500 all new sensors, fuel

remove the eprom out of the old computer and check the numbers and see if they are different if they are swap out the eprom. You can get to it by removing the two screws out of the top of rhe computer and you will see the chip. also does it have the coil pack or single coil?

Anonymous

  • 645 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 12, 2010

SOURCE: have replaced fuel pump, relay & fuel filter.

have you checked to see if you have a bad came or lifter. that would make it backfire. if it kind of spits fuel it maybe cam. if it throws fire than it could be timing like a bad chain.

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