2000 2.4 (Q-4) Crank/No Start

[anjdevil2]

A friend of mine has a 2000 Alero that cranks/no start. It looks just like those WONDERFUL Quad 4's. I hear the fuel pump spooling up on key turn.
I was wondering if there is any test(s) I can run or is there a trouble tree that I can use to diagnose & fix this thing? It's been sitting in a grocery store parking lot for 2 weeks and she can't afford to tow it.
It has 120k on the clock. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[GTP Dad]

There are several things to check. There are several things you need to check. First, make sure you have fuel at the fuel rail whether you hear the pump or not. Try spraying starting fluid in the open throttle body while someone turns the car over. If it starts you have a fuel problem. If not the problem is with the ignition. Try changing the ignition module as that will usually account for the failure to fire. One other thing to try will be to check to make sure there is compression. If it jumped timing then the compression will be low and it will not start. All of these can contribute to the problem.

[big duke]

Hello,

I have a 2001 alero and i had several situations like this before, the most recent was the fuel pump.

before that it was the low voltage starter that was causing the issue to arise.

i had the starter replaced and the tech was kind enough to flash my computers rom with more current info to help compensate with hesitating starts.

[anjdevil2]

We sprayed carb cleaner into the throttlebody and it had no effect. The starter turns over fine and sounds like good compression. I removed the coil/module pack from the head and used a long plug wire and grounded spark plug and have no fire. I'll take it on good faith that the coils should be ok and may need the ignition module. (expensive suckers, aren't they?)

[anjdevil2]

After runnign a diagnostic trouble tree, I replaced the Ignition module and still had no start and no spark. Thanks to this forum, my last ditch effort was the key relearn. It runs, starts and drives. Thanks all, next time I won't overlook this security thing either!!