wont start help please

[aoneal]

I have a 2001 grand am and it won't start. It turns out but does not start. When the key is in the on position you can hear the fuel and after the light go away the service engine soon and oil symbol stay. also, I have not changed the oil in a it while and the change oil light is coming on.

[Hoags]

What size engine is in your car?

[aoneal]

it is a 4 cyl

[Hoags]

aoneal,

One thing to check (this is a shot in the dark) is the wire harness to the right of the top cover on the motor. It is located directly to the right side of that cover make sure that is pluged in tight. This is the wiring that is connected directly to your ignition module and coil packs.

How many miles on the car and did this just start doing this out of nowhere or did you have some rough running before this started to happen?

[aoneal]

I just got a call from the dealership and they told me that it was the water pump and it would cost $800 to fix. That sounds crazy.

[Hoags]

Why did they say it was the water pump that was causing your car not to start? I don't get it!

[Slade901]

From what I can remember on our 1994 Pontiac Grand am 2.3L Quad 4, the water pump is located behind the engine and is somewhat connected to a rod with gears and then the rod is connected probably on a camshaft. So, if that water pump is seized then it will not allow the camshaft or part of the engine to rotate if the rod to the water pump is not turning since the water pump is probably seized. I would find some local mechanic in your neighborhood recommended by your family friends that can probably replace the water pump for you cheaply + parts.

[Riqand]

slade i got a little input on a Quad 4 DOHC i remember the pump being behind the engine but it it connecte to the timing plate an sits underneath the exaust manifold if i remember correctly not connected to the cam except through the timing chain not too terribly hard to replace i dont remember if u can get it off without at least takeing the timing cover off to remove the sprocket or not will post again after class today we have a 4banger in class we tinker with so ill post later on today an tell ya

[gerlisky]

I changed a water pump on my 94 2.3 DOHC, like every one has said it is on the back side of the engine, you can replace the pump without taking off the timing cover. It was a pain in the rear.

[ricland06]

Heres more info on a fix of that passover module starting problem. If you try this fix, please report back the results.

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n my opinion, used parts won't solve the problem either because they will just fail like the new part that I put on. There are literally thousands of posts on the internet of people with these same ignition lock cylinder problems. The N-body cars seem to be the leaders.(Malibu, Alero, Grand-Am) Yeah, I can see where this might seem a bit involved.... but it's really not. I just wanted to follow up with evidence of how it works. The quick simple fix is just to cut the yellow wire and tape up both ends. I took a screwdriver to pop the cover from around the stereo and took out 4 screws. Then, pulled out the stereo. The 3 wires from the ignition are right there on the left. Start the car and cut the yellow wire. That's it. You won't have to replace the ignition lock cylinder until it falls apart. I don't have to worry about my wife and kids being stuck somewhere. I certainly didn't mean for it to come across as being complicated at all. Enevitably, someone will ask why this works.
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