92 Won't start?? Been searching......

[TFS355S-10]

Hi all,
Since this is my first post here I might as well make it a good un!

I've been searching about 5 different Cavalier/J-body forums most of the day to no avail. I hope somebody can point me in the right direction.

Right to the point,
My wifes has a 92 Cavalier , 2.2 5speed.
Since the weather has been getting colder around here her car was getting harder to start. It would spin the starter but not engage the flywheel.
No biggie I thought, just needs a starter drive, (Bendix). So I pulled the starter dropped in the bendix and put the starter back on. Problem solved. That one anyway.

Everything worked fine and she drove it into town the next morning, brought it back home and parked it in the driveway. She works nights so that evening when she went out to leave for work it wouldn't start!

Now it turns the engine over just fine but there's no spark at all!

Searching turned up a few clues but not very helpful for my situation.
Some say it might be the coil pack, or the crank position sensor, or the ECM(they had a different name for it).

Is there anyway to test the coil pack or CPS? Also, where do I look to find the CPS?
Any parts I have to replace will probably have to be new since I don't have any other vehicles like this or know anybody that does, so I'd rather not spend any more $ than absolutely necessary.

Thanks in advance. Any and all replies wil be appreciated.

BTW, Nice place!

[TFS355S-10]

Alright, I have a little more info, but still no solution.

I went ahead and replaced the CPS, (crankshaft position sensor), today. That didn't help at all. Still no fire.
I finally dug out my S-10 manual. I know, I know, it's a Cavalier, not an S-10. But some S-10s had the same engine and hopefully the same ignition.
Anyway, I was doing some testing on the ignition module according to the Haynes S-10 manual.
It says, remove the coil packs from the ign. mod. and use a test light on the 4 coil trigger contacts while an assistant cranks the engine over.
It also says the test light should blink on and off as the engine is being cranked over.

Mine doesn't do this. I have continous voltage at the 2 outermost contacts and no voltage at the innermost contacts.

Now I'm not sure if the ign, mod. is bad or the test procedure is wrong!

Ideas?

[corning_d3]

This sounds like a faulty ignition module. You shouldn't have continuous voltage. This condition can quickly burn up the ignition coils, because it keeps them powered up continuously until the key is turned off. A coil doesn't fire until power is removed from it, which is why you have no spark. Expect to pay around $120 for this part new, unless you can find one used(salvage yard).

[TFS355S-10]

Originally Posted by corning_d3

This sounds like a faulty ignition module. You shouldn't have continuous voltage. This condition can quickly burn up the ignition coils, because it keeps them powered up continuously until the key is turned off. A coil doesn't fire until power is removed from it, which is why you have no spark. Expect to pay around $120 for this part new, unless you can find one used(salvage yard).

Thanks corning.
Maybe I should test the coils too now. The ignition switch has been on quite awhile, (while testing and trying), since this happened.

Is it common for the ign. mod. to just die while it's sitting in the driveway?

[corning_d3]

I've seen stranger things happen.............

[unbe]

Did you check your fuses and was there any wires attached to your starter that were marginal(You know how some cars use the starter as a junction point)

[TFS355S-10]

Originally Posted by unbe

Did you check your fuses and was there any wires attached to your starter that were marginal(You know how some cars use the starter as a junction point)

Yep, checked the fuses, (what a PITA that was), and checked all the fusable links at the starter connection. All seem to be fine.
I'm waiting on a ignition module now. When I get it on I'll post the results.

Any other ideas I can try in the meantime?

Thanks for the replies so far!