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Vehicle wont start

First off, let me apologize. I know this is a truck group. I just can't figure out where else to post this.

My daughter (her first car) has a '97 Cavalier with a 2.2L and a manual trans. It has been running fine until today.

She was driving and then all of a sudden it cut off and would not restart. She said she heard a light "POP" and it cut off. (I was thinking the timing chain) My wife was with her when it happened and she heard nothing. I had the car towed to my home.

I check for spark and that's good. I hear the fuel pump run when I turn the key to the on position. I removed the air intake, opened the throttle plates and sprayed a bit of starting fluid and tried starting. Still nothing. (I don't think it's a fuel or spaark problem)

Next, I rode over to my local Murrays Auto and rented one of their OBD II Code Scanners. I plug the unit into the Cavaliers DLC and got the following info...

Camshaft Position Sensor A- Bank 1 Circuit Low.

I check a Haynes manual and it stated that...

"... If cam signal is lost while the engine is running, the fuel injection system will shift to a calculated fuel injection mode based on the last fuel injection pulse, and the engine will continue to run."

So, I am at a loss.

Can someone help? Will a bad Camshaft Position Sensor cause the engine to "NOT" start? I check around and the sensor cost about $65.00. I'd hate to spend that and later find that that's not the problem.

HELP!!!

Reply to
Jes
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Jes, GO with your daughters ears. She is young, and her hearing is probably considerably better than your wifes. Plus, she was driving and therefore (hopefully) paying better attention to the car and the road. If she heard a pop, then it might be that the timing chain broke, and that could be your problem. Also, check your fuses.. I have actually heard a fuse make a popping sound when it blows. One way to check the timing is to remove the valve cover and see if the cam is turning...

Reply to
pkurtz2

I don't know about the cam sensor for sure, how ever if you sprayed starting fluid and she didn't even attempt to start, I would be looking at ignition. Unless over 150K miles I would not suspect the timing chain. Pull spark plug, hold thumb lightly over hole and crank engine, if she has compression, chain is ok. If chain broke she wont have compression. Ignition module in combination with one of the two ignition coils, or crank sensor would be my guesses. The light pop she heard could have been a minor back fire if timing went goofy as module died.

Again these are guesses on my part. Whitelightning

Reply to
Whitelightning

Whitelightning, Thank you! you give me hope.

On the "pop" noise, my daughter has told me that she heard it before and occasionally reoccurs.

I checked for a spark and got one. However, I only checked at cylinder one. I will check the others tomorrow morning. I''ll also check for compression at all cylinders.

I noticed that the crank sensor only cost a few bucks so I will check on that too.

I was told that it might be the cam chain and if it broke, it may have caused bent valves which mean that the head needs to be removed for repair. I am hoping it's nothing major as the car belongs to my teenage daughter and she drives to school/work. We can't afford to buy her a car.

Thank you for all you help. I mean everyones help.

Jesse

Reply to
Jes

chain may have jumped timing, but i doubt if it damaged anything. its just been sitting in a parking lot not being driven so personally I think thats unlikely.

It could also be flooded?

Reply to
CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert

If the module died, would I still get a spark?

And, after thinking of your recommendations, I have another question regaring checking for compression.

If you crank the engine with the spark plug off, wouldn't you get compression if the chain is bad or not??? I mean, the starter engages the flywheel (manual trans) and turns the crankshaft. The pistons are mounted on the crankshaft. It would seem to me that you'd get compression either way. Am I wrong??

Jesse

Reply to
Jes

NO spark

NEVER REMOVE the Plug wire and check for Spark by holding the wire NEAR A Ground... 9 times out of 10 you will FRY the module . USE a Spark plug , grounded to the engine..

NO ... The Chain Synks the Valves with the up and down motion of the piston to Create the compression

Ir the timing Chain is Broken or Gears are Stripped .. The Distributor ROTOR WILL NOT TURN

Reply to
no one

Your wrong, if the valves don't open, the engine cant suck air into the cylinders to compress. If the cam isn't turning, the valves aren't opening.

Whitelightning

Reply to
Whitelightning

Read the posts, 1997 Chevy Caviler, 2.2 ltr engine, NO DISTRIBUTOR.

No cap, no rotor to turn..

Whitelightning

Reply to
Whitelightning

Hello Again, Regarding my daughters Cavalier problem...

I checked each and got a spark at every cylinder using a spark plugf tester.

I also checked for compression by removing the plug and feeling for suction on compression and it passed.

I also rechecked and the fuel pump is working (buzz) in the tank.

So, it's definitely not fuel or ignition related. I picked up the crankshaft position sensor and will replace that next.

If that doesn't work, any other recommendations??

Thank you,

Jesse

Reply to
Jes

Well, After having checked everything as discussed including changing the crankshaft sensor, the cavalier still will not start.

Reply to
Jes

Water instead of Gasoline. ?

Computer not working correctly ?

your fuel pump may be running but it doesnot have enough pressure .

I had a 90 Chevy 3.1 Fuel injection and it would not run. I checked the Fuel pump Pressure and it was at 30 lbs.. Manual said 37 lbs or NO START ... Changed fuel pump and The Car Started right up and Pressure was 40 lbs

Reply to
no one

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