Help, Crank but no start

[cubano112266]

Hello Group,

Last time I drive the 92 Metro it was fine. It has been parked about 3 days. I get into it this afternoon to take to shop for alignment and it will not start.

The battery is good, there is fuel in the T/B and it will crank. Before parking it three days ago there was nothing unusual with the engine. It ran great as usual.

Is it safe for me to guess that I need a replacement ignition coil. Oh, BTW it was recently tuned and was running great until this afternoon.

Thanks

Abe

[94metroxfi]

Take a spark plug wire off from the distrubutor cap and see if you have spark.

If not, you know it is the coil, or coil wire.

[91Caprice9c1]

Originally Posted by 94metroxfi

...If not, you know it is the coil, or coil wire.

False dichotomy.

No spark from coil wire could be a lot of things, including the coil, coil wire, cam sensor, wiring between cam sensor and ECM, ECM, wiring between ECM and coil, broken timing belt, slipping timing sprockets, etc, etc...

But definitely your next step is to do as 94 suggested, and look for spark.

-MechanicMatt

[Woodie83]

Does it crank a little faster than normal? My money's on the timing belt. Coil is one of the last things I'd look at.

[91Caprice9c1]

I agree, Woodie. I personally have not had many problems with the coils on these cars, I've had to replace one or two but out of 22 metros with a lot of miles and age, they certainly have not been a problematic component.

Cubano, given your description it's not what I'd call a 'text book' t-belt failure, but it is definitely near the top of the list of things to look at first, right after you look for spark from the coil wire. If no spark, remove your top two timing cover bolts and peel it back to look for a broken timing belt. If you do get spark, conduct a compression test. If your compression numbers are low, look for a dying timing belt (teeth shredding off).

-MechanicMatt

[cubano112266]

Thanks group for the advice.

I will have a look at it tomorrow after work to determine if there is spark. Regarding the speed which is cranks, it is about the same or slightly slower. OK, if there is spark i will take the T belt cover off and check that out.
The Metro only has 84,000 on it. Can it really be the T-Belt?

[inafogg]

hello, ck owners manual normal t/belt replacement 60/80k

[GunsBK314]

Time for me to payback to the community - Happy to do it and I hope my two cents helps:

Cubano - Don't bother looking for a spark.... yet. You'll end up buying an ignition coil, like I did, and waste time and money. Check your timing belt first. It will take 3 minutes.


I had similar problem last month and from the knowledge of this forum was able to fix my car. This is what the forum told me:

"Don't replace the coil as it's not your problem.

GM and mr. Hand are spot on.

You have a broken timing belt. The ECM uses the camshaft position sensor pulses to tell it when to trigger the fuel injector and ignition coil. The CPS is located in the distributor and is turned by the camshaft. The camshaft is turned by the crankshaft via the timing belt.

Take out the two 10mm hex bolts at the top of the timing belt cover and yank it back a little to see your shredded timing belt. Thank engineering for non-interference engines eh?"

I must admit I'm not sure of next steps if your belt is OK. Its weird that your belt would break overnight, but eliminate the belt possibility.

Thats my two cents. Good luck and thanks again everyone.

From my problem:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=891446

[cubano112266]

OK group,

I am getting ready to order the new timing belt and tensioner. The car is a 92 1.0 liter. Which is the best belt to use on this model?

Thanks

[cubano112266]

Hey

I just finished checking and the T-belt is perfect. I am having a new coil delivered tomorrow. Hopefully that will solve the problem.

[GM Line Rat]

Originally Posted by cubano112266

Hey

I just finished checking and the T-belt is perfect. I am having a new coil delivered tomorrow. Hopefully that will solve the problem.

... What method did you use to determine a "No-Spark" condition on your car, and reason(s) for buying a new coil? As allready mentioned, Just because the timing belt is still good doesn't automatically mean the coil is bad!

[91Caprice9c1]

Why get advice from the forum, only to shotgun the repair? The coil is most likely not going to solve your problem. Have you checked for spark at the end of the coil wire? If you recall I asked you to do this before looking at the t-belt. Goodluck bud.

-MechanicMatt

[cubano112266]

ok, this where it is now.

there is spark, and the t belts is not broken. it is in worn shape so it will be changed today. where is the next place to look for the problem?

[hot_sd]

I'm suprised no one has mentioned fuel delivery. Maybe it is the fuel pump. Have you checked the fuel pressure.

[cubano112266]

I was thinking the fule sytem next. I do not a tool measure the pressure but I am sure that I can get one soon.

Can someone please connfirm that the fuel pump for a 92 metro is inside the fuel tank?

Thanks for all the help.