turns over wont start

grandamgirl98 · #1 10-19-2006, 12:50 PM

I have a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am 2.4L twin cam 4cylinder car. I am having problems with and hope somebody out there can help me.....
Since August 27th I have replaced the head and gasket, timing chain, heater core, water pump, many sensors, spark plugs and boots. I am at my wits end... Saturday after running some errands, and letting it set for a few hours I went to leave and it wouldnt start, it just turns over. The spark plugs are foulded out. now my check engine light is on and is giving me a "misfire" code. Please will some one help me, I can give more information on what is doing or not doing as the case may be..... Thanks

xeroinfinity · #2 10-20-2006, 07:57 AM

Welcome to AF !

Sounds like an injector may be pluged or stuck open flooding you plug(s).

Another thing it could be the ignition modul on the bottom of the top cover that covers the plugs/boots could be faulty.
Could hav a flaky O2 sensor causing it to run rich, tho that should trow a code also.

Are thier any Warning lights illuminated on the dash ?
Any other codes show up when you scanned for the misfire?

grandamgirl98 · #3 10-20-2006, 08:41 AM

that is the only code it shows is "misfire". We also checked the injectors and they checked out ok. The only warning light that is on is the check engine light. As far as the sensors go, I am not sure what all the sensors are that we have changed. Thanks for your help, as I am tired of

and wasting my vacation time cause my car wont start.

xeroinfinity · #4 10-20-2006, 08:57 AM

Did you try and clear the code after you made repairs?

grandamgirl98 · #5 10-20-2006, 09:28 AM

when we can get it to start and give it gas it is still misfiring. Also it smokes when it starts and smells like gas. UGH!!!!!

gmack221 · #6 10-20-2006, 12:20 PM

sounds like you may have something in the ignition system go bad, check for spark ... here's a link to another thread where I described how to check for spark on these motors (check out my 2nd post) http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=634017

in that thread I also tell what the most likely causes for not getting spark on the cylinders is, hope this helps.

If your getting spark on all of the cylinders it may be a fuel injector stuck open, not sure how you tested them but the ohms will be right on them, but because of the dirt in them they can leak fuel into the cylinders. You also mentioned that the spark plugs were carboned up, were they all the same, or some more carboned up then others? If 2 were more carboned up then others it tells me you may have had a coil go bad, not letting 2 cylinders fire.

good luck and I hope this helps ... remember to post your results to help others figure out their problems.

bjobotts · #7 10-20-2006, 01:38 PM

Autozone will check the ignition module and coil packs for free. Still it does sound like fuel injectors. Good luck and hope this helps.

xeroinfinity · #8 10-20-2006, 03:27 PM

It very well could be the fuel pressure regulator.

To test this you 'll hav to rent or buy a tool to test that,
as thier isnt a valve to get a reading(like onthe v6), so it installs in the fuel line by the motor. big pita !

Though it still sounds like an injectors stuck open.

Did you use a Noid light to test the injectors ?

grandamgirl98 · #9 10-20-2006, 05:31 PM

my bad, I just found out it was the fuel pressure that we checked and not the fuel injectors.... we are replacing the coil housing cover right now. We had the ignition module checked and it tested out ok. Thanks for the help and I will keep you posted.

grandamgirl98 · #10 10-20-2006, 05:47 PM

ok..the coil housing is installed, and it did start, but we are going to try it again after it sits for a couple of hours. Also it is idling rough...any suggestions on the idle???

xeroinfinity · #11 10-20-2006, 05:59 PM

could be just rough because the plugs are fauled out from cranking fuel into it and not starting.

Might clear up after its ran for a while.

grandamgirl98 · #12 10-21-2006, 06:42 AM

I just went out to try and start it, as this is when I have problem with it starting (after it sits for awhile), and WOOOHOOO it started. It did smoke, but not sure if it is from the cold or what but, hey it started. We are going to replace the spark plugs today and I am going to venture out and drive it. Thanks for all your help... I will let you know how it goes...

xeroinfinity · #13 10-21-2006, 08:08 AM

Great !
Glad you got it going !

If you want to get new spark plugs,
I would suggest getting Delco Iridiums.
They are about $6 each they are supposed to last for 100k miles,
and it is what GM recomends these days for thier HEI ignition systems.

I use them in all of my vehicles.
Hav about 50k miles on a set in my SE,
they still look like new

grandamgirl98 · #14 10-21-2006, 08:57 AM

I want to thank you for all of your help. I am still not sure we have the car running like it is supposed to. So I may be back on to ask for more help. again Thanks for the help...

xeroinfinity · #15 10-21-2006, 09:02 AM

No prob !

If you need anything else just ask

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