Power loss,rough idle

[slf41002]

Hey everyone.I am new to posting threads on this forum.I have just been watching for a little while now.Now I have a problem and need help before I pull my hair out.I have two cavaliers both with close to the same problem.One is 97 and the other is 96 both AT/2.2L. First for the 96.It has a misfire on #1 cyl once you start to drive it it does ok sometimes and other time you can feel it while driving.So far I have tried swapping the injectors around,new fuel regulator,swaped out the map,tps,new plugs,wires. Now for the 97.It has a slight miss on 1&4 cyls and is very weak on power,the other car you can drive but this one you can't because you can't get over 30MPH in it.I have replaced the fuel pump,Map,tps,plugs wires,Catalystic converter.I am at a loss for other things to try.Please help.Thanks people.

[slf41002]

Well since I haven't got any advice I guess I will try the coil pack on the 97 since it is in the 1&4 cyl and the one pack is for 1&4 plugs.If that does not work I will change out the computer.I have one in a friends scrap yard.As for the 96 I will try the ECM on it first.I ill let yall know how it turns out.

[slf41002]

Originally Posted by slf41002

Well since I haven't got any advice I guess I will try the coil pack on the 97 since it is in the 1&4 cyl and the one pack is for 1&4 plugs.If that does not work I will change out the computer.I have one in a friends scrap yard.As for the 96 I will try the ECM on it first.I ill let yall know how it turns out.

Well I replaced the modual and both coil packs today and found that the white and red wires going to the modual has been spliced back together so I pulled them apart and reconnected the wires with soilder and put it all back together with a modual and set of packs from a running engine just to find the car now won't even start(no spark) so I am guessing there are electical problem down the line from were the wires was spliced.Not sure yet but it is about to drive me crazy.

[misslemechanic]

Hey i just started online and I read all the stuff you have written and I am curious if you founf out anything or not, I am having a similiar problem on a 91 cavalier with the 2.2 and I am about ready to replace the coil packs

[BigRed]

I found a thread on the forum that the problem is the netural safety switch and none of that other stuff!!

[ozzieinator]

neutral saftey switch wont make the engine misfire though. Cant be the safety switch. I even tested it and it dont make the engine run any different at all. Regards

[misslemechanic]

just replaced both coils today no improvement, still idles rough in neutral and spudders when driving, next I am gonna try the spark plug wires to see if they are bad after that I am not sure where to go.

[misslemechanic]

I think i got it new plug wires and all seems to be fine haven't put any highway miles on it to see itit has really changed but at least it idles normal. Damn cheap plug wires bad in a year who would of thought

[slf41002]

Originally Posted by misslemechanic

I think i got it new plug wires and all seems to be fine haven't put any highway miles on it to see itit has really changed but at least it idles normal. Damn cheap plug wires bad in a year who would of thought

Well I have tried about every thing now just to the point of the last thing left (A stick of dinamite)I am glad to see the wires and plugs help your car.I have tried plugs,wires,coil packs,module,fuel pump,fuel filter,fuel regulator,injectors,map sensor,TPS,IAC,now I have even tried the ECU/ECM still has not changed a thing.The funny thing is I changed the computer and the theft system activated so I had to leave the key on till it quite flashing them it started right up but on the 96 it didnt do that.But anyway I thought I found it Sat.I was messing around with the plug wires and I could move one and the miss would go away so I figured I had got a set of bad wires so I replaced the wires again and it was running great ideled smooth and reved quick and ideled right back down smooth again for about 20 minutes so I got in and was going to take it for a spin and as soon as I dropped it into reverse it started missing again and now it takes spells of stalling plus the starter is now going out ?????

[slf41002]

Oh and btw there were no other problems with the wireing any further than were the wires going to the modual were spliced together but for some reason I have tried three used moduals and packs from cars that are running to this 96 and the car will not run on any of them.It will not fire what so ever.I have no clues why.was also going to try to put the ECM in the 96 after it did nothing for the 97 but they are only one month apart.they were both made in 96 but the title for the 10/96 one says 97 and the 9/96 one says 96 and they both has two diff computers in them.The 96 has 3 smaller clip style plu-ins and the 97 has 2 large plugs that run the length of the ECM with two bolt throught the center.It seems to be a never ending battle and I am loseing every time.

[slf41002]

Well I have an update to the problem I was haveing with my 97 Cavalier.It had a misfire on the #1 cyl as some of you may know.Well I found and fixxed the problem today.I got to pulling around on the wireing and found that if I pulled apart on the main plug in on the injector harness it would miss really bad and if I pushed them together really tight it would stop missing completly.Come to find out the ground wire on the plug in was loss from the plug ins probe.That is the reason it would miss worse while in reverse than it did in drive the engine rolls forward a little while in reverse putting a pulling force on the plug.Anyway I cut the whole plug in out and got one from another car and put it in and the car runs like new now.Now if I could figure out the problem with the 96 cav I would be really happy.Still haven't found an ECM for the 96 yet.I am going to buy one just to try if I can find one from a wreck.If you by a new one it has to be programed.I will keep you all posted.