No spark and fuel dumping

Tiny
OBXLUVER
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
1994 cavalier z24, 3.1 engine, no spark and dumping fuel when I try to crank.
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 AT 2:26 AM

25 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Scan the engine for codes first to see if there are any sensors bad. You can go to DIY on the site here and look under tune up it will go step by step on how to check your ignition system.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method

Attached below are instructions to pull codes without a scan tool
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 AT 5:50 PM
Tiny
MICKEYBIGGUNZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
No spark, replaced coil packs, engines fans on when keys on even though stone cold.
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
No spark : check and test the DIS Module and the crankshaft position sensor-worry about the fan later
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MYBOYS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
Driving 65mph and the motor just stopped. I had it towed home and found out there is no spark to any cylinder. The things I checked: ohmed out the coil packs, tested good- replaced ignition module from junk yard- replaced crankshaft positioning sensor- still no spark - checked all fuses and power and ground to the ignition module and PCM. Checked the output of the PCM and there was no output to the ignition module.
I am thinking maybe the timing chain and was wondering if the timing chain jumped, would this cause a no spark condition.
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Hello and thanks for donating

If you had a broken timing belt / chain, there would be no compression. With no spark, it is either a failed ignition module or crankshaft sensor. Since you said you already tested/replaced these, it is most likely a wiring issue on your hand. First start with the spark plug wires themselves. If the ignition system is producing trigger signal but the plug wires can't pass the signal to the plug then you would have no spark. One thing though, you said there is no output to the ignition module from the PCM, have you swapped out the PCM to try a different one?
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN ARCHER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 153,000 MILES
About 3 months ago my cousin took her car to a mechanic it would not run he put new computer in then new ignition module now new crank sensor and still wont run has no spark at plugs what to do next.
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
It sounds like a power supply or wiring problem. You will need a wiring schematic and trace the wires and test powers and grounds. I'll find a diagram to send you
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN ARCHER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
WOW, great info, found the bad ground on the engine block, and fixed the problem, great work 2Carpros. Com
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,513 POSTS
Here is the diagram RAZ said you needed
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAN BOGGS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1991 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 119,200 MILES
Replaced plugs & wires, new coil packs, had the ing. Control modual tested, new computer. New crank sensor. The motor turns over, but there is no spark.
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Are you getting power to the coils? Have you checked connections at the computer?
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAN BOGGS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I will check that on sat afternoon.5-9-09
Thanks for the tip. I will let you know. Dan
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Let me know what you find. Something tells me that you have a bad connection or a broken wire.
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAN BOGGS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I bought a manual for that. I check to see if the control modual has power. On the power side it had 5 volts. I then ran a ohms test on the other side. It was 1200. Then did a millivolt test on the crank sensor, it was.3. Accordding to the book the control mod. Is bad, do you agree? I had it tested once. Advance Auto is the place that tested it. Does it have to be tested more than 2 times to get it hot to see if it is breaking down?Thanks for your time and help. Dan
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WILLLARD_FARMER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Electrical problem
1996 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

engine valve broke, tagging piston, repaired the valve, reassembled. Now no spark, no fuel, and theft system on. I was told by owner that the theft system light had been on for sometime, had no spark prior to engine repairs.I tried 11 mins on 10 secs off three times as many forums said to do, and still no spark and no fuel any answers?
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check crankshaft sensor and or module
scan for codes
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
If the control module doesn't meet the minimum standards listed, that is most likely the problem.

Let me know if it works. Maybe you could get one from a salvage yard, save some money and see if that is it. Parts stores usually don't take back electrical items unless you know someone.
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BA1R0G
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1993 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
My car has been sitting for 3 months and had died just before that. I thought it was the fuel pump so I just finished replacing that as well as the fuel filter. Jumped the battery back to life and the car cranks but won't start. I checked a couple plugs (off of different coil packs) and neither had spark. Plugs are about a year old and the wires and 1 coil pack are about 2 years old. What could cause no spark?
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BA1R0G
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Do you think the fact that the car has been sitting for 3 months plays a major part in my problem? What would that likely effect?
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 6:49 PM (Merged)

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