Acts like its out of time
nutcase
04-26-2008, 07:40 PM
I just bought this 2001 Alero, it has a 2.4L with 108K miles. I bought it knowing that it does not start. I thought (hoped) that it might just be a passlock problem, it's not. I tried to start it and it popped, banged and coughed, but did not start. It sounded like someone had put the plug wires on wrong, but since there are not plug wires I knew that was not the case. The previous owner said that he was driving down the road and it just quit. He also told me that he had the timing chain replaced a short time before. To me it sounded like it was out of time so I took the timing cover off to find that it was indeed "out of time". I timed the cams to the crank and buttoned it up, but it still will not start and sounds about the same (pop, cough and bang). I sounds like a engine that is either out of time, or has the plug wires on wrong. Any suggestions?:banghead:
Update: I have checked the ICM, the ignition tower, instaled new plugs (I have good spark) I checked and changed the crank sensor and the cam sensor. I have fuel in the cylinders. I have good compression, over 150 psi per cylinder. I even got a used ECM, but it acts the same. The only code that I get is P0300 which is "multiple random misfire". I am making an appointment to have someone else look at it. Has anyone got an idea?
Update: I got a answer from somewhere else on the net. I was told that these "Quad Four" have a tendancy to easily crossfire, meaning that the spark can jump from one cylinder to another. The result is the spark does not get to the right cylinder at the right time and it sounds like it's out of time. The solution; Be sure that the ignition tower is not cracked or shorting out. I went ahead and just replaced mine even though it looked and tested fine, I checked all the springs and connection from the ICM to the plugs. The car started right up. I still have a miss on the #4 cylinder, but I can deal with that. So if your 2.4L is acting like it is "out of time", check the ICM, coils, coil tower and all the connections. :)
Update: I have checked the ICM, the ignition tower, instaled new plugs (I have good spark) I checked and changed the crank sensor and the cam sensor. I have fuel in the cylinders. I have good compression, over 150 psi per cylinder. I even got a used ECM, but it acts the same. The only code that I get is P0300 which is "multiple random misfire". I am making an appointment to have someone else look at it. Has anyone got an idea?
Update: I got a answer from somewhere else on the net. I was told that these "Quad Four" have a tendancy to easily crossfire, meaning that the spark can jump from one cylinder to another. The result is the spark does not get to the right cylinder at the right time and it sounds like it's out of time. The solution; Be sure that the ignition tower is not cracked or shorting out. I went ahead and just replaced mine even though it looked and tested fine, I checked all the springs and connection from the ICM to the plugs. The car started right up. I still have a miss on the #4 cylinder, but I can deal with that. So if your 2.4L is acting like it is "out of time", check the ICM, coils, coil tower and all the connections. :)
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