93 pontic sunbird that doesnt spark... plz help

[K.D.]

my 93 pontiac sunbird (2L overhead cam) will turn over but will not start, i checked the spark and it will spark once when i first turn the engine over but not after that. Any one have any suggestions

Much appreciated

[Madcat455]

Did this just happen all of the sudden, or has it been running funny before this?

Has the check engine light gone on at all?

Did it just stop while running, or did you shut it off and then it wouldn't start back up again?

[K.D.]

i was driving it one night and then the next day in the morning it wouldnt start.. it wasnt a cold morning or anything but it would just turn over. it was a little sluggish when i was driving it the night before

[Madcat455]

OK.... basically without being there I'll do the best I can.

Things that would cause it not to spark (going from memory here so I might forget something...lol)

1: No power to the Coil/ignition module (probably not your issue as it actually sparks once).

2: Bad CPS... they are known to suddenly go out (personal experiance there), but wouldn't (to my knowledge) cause "sluggish" performance (although that could be unrelated to your spark prob).

3: Bad ECM... Not sending the signal to the Coil for it to fire.

4: Bad Ignition module/coil pack.. I priced one of these when my CPS went out and they are like $400...ouch. Saw one on Ebay for $50 and almost picked it up for a spare just in case

5: Broken Timing Belt... probably not this either as it wouldn't spark at all.

6: Jumped timing belt... This it'd be a streach (no pun..lol), as it'd still spark, just not at the right time.

I'd check the CPS first, as they are known for going out suddenly... and can be intermittant for a bit. It's a major PITA to replace it "correctly", as the wire for it runs behind the timing belt back cover... requiring you to remove the belt to run it. I said F it and just ran it above the valve cover and down under the alt bracket...lol(wire was just bareley long enough).

If you have a mulit meter, you can check it before you go through all that... I don't know the Ohm's figure off the top of my head, but I can get it for you later tonight.

you can also use it to test the Coil/ignition module as well.

You did remove the spark plugs to make sure they arn't all fouled right??? I've seen it happen before.

Good Luck.

[K.D.]

I just replaced the ignition module so im pretty sure it isnt that and the timing belt is newso that rules 2 of them out.. thanks alot for your help ill take a look at your suggestions and get beck to you