Grand Am Starting problem

[wayneboe]

I have a 96 Grand Am SE, 2,4L, 4-cyl,5-speed with about 65k miles on it. I live in Norway and have no Pontiac service centers here. My problem is that my car "died" a few weeks back. As I was driving the engine just started to lose power and then it stopped running. I tried to re-start, but it sounded as though the timing was way off. I got the car home and parked it overnight. The next day, I went out and tried again. This time, as I was turning it over, it started out turning over fine but wouldn't start. As I turned it loaded up (self adjusting timing DIS) until it wouldn't turn. I tried unplugging the connector to the ignition module on the coil cover,and it turned over very nicely.I called my brother in the US, and had him get me new platinum plugs, 2 coils, ignition module, coil mounting box and connectors. I also had him send a cam position sensor, but I think this is wrong one. I received the parts today, installed all but sensor, and the car still wouldn't fire. Can anyone give me any tips.THANKS

[gmack221]

I have a 95 2.3L DOHC, the motor the 2.4L was designed after (kinda, they are alot alike). The 2.3L doesn't have a cam position sensor, your probably looking at the oil pressure sensor on the front cam tower as I was before I was educated (and im almost positive neither does the 2.4L), it doesn't have adjustable timing on the camshaft, what he probably sent you was a crank position sensor which is located in the engine block under the intake manifold (to the left of the starter). That is what controls the timing of the spark, it picks up the timing from a ring on the crankshaft, there is one connector & one bolt to get it out, it swells up in the block and usually breaks trying to get it out (try to keep all the pieces out of the block, use a pair of needle nose plyers to get out the remainder of the sensor).

If I had to guess what your problem is I'd say crank position sensor, based on what you have told me.

As far as test I would do before buying parts, spark test (4 regular spark plug wires & one spark tester (or hold a spark plug grounded to see if it sparks), $8 any autozone ... well here in the states anyhow), noid light on the injector harness ($3 any autozone) (this test for power in the injector harness). Sounds to me that you have plenty of fuel, just no spark (verify this), which makes me think your crank position sensor went out. If you have spark then maybe it truely is a timing issue, but it doesn't make sense that you'd have problems with the timing chain at 65K. A haynes manual may help you out, even better yet would be a pontiac service manual for your car (check e-bay). Last thing I've seen go wrong with these cars is the computer not getting power (simply turn on the key without starting the car, if the check engine light comes on then your computer is powered up and this isn't your problem). Hope some of this helps, if you can give anymore info im sure someone on here can help you out.

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF wayneboe !

I'd agree with gmack, check for spark and check to make sure its getting fuel.

Could also be the notorious passlock troubles or your ignition switch.

Here is a link you will find helpfull in testing some stuff that may be wrong.

Hope that helps and good luck!

[wayneboe]

Thanks for the input. It's after 10PM now, so I'll check tomorrow and let you know what happens. As for the sensor, I hope your right and my sensor is bad.