1987 Chevy Cavalier Car will start, then wont start

CMOSER126

MEMBER
1987 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
250,000 MILES

The car described above has me baffled. I went to the store, came out, the car would not start. It cranks great. Went back in the morning, it started right up. Got it home and started it a few more times, no problem. That afternoon, it would not start. The next morning, it started fine. Any ideas? One friend thinks maybe the crank sensor. Being unemployed, I cant afford a shop, or really too much trial and error. Any help you guys can give me would be great!

4 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Hi, When the problem occurs, if it cranks good, but won't start. Have a helper crank it, while you visually check for spark at the plugs. If you have spark everywhere, use a gage and check fuel pressure. How long since a tune-up? Any trouble codes? With dis ignition, an intermittent crank sensor signal, can drive you batty.

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Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 AT 10:28 AM

CMOSER126

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2 POSTS

Got spark, and fuel. Another person thinks maybe the fuel pump relay. Crawled under the car and jiggled the wire and a couple others under the hood, and it started. Then later did the sae, and it still wouldnt start. Bought a fuel pump relay that I am putting on when the rain quits. Hoping that does it.

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Saturday, March 13th, 2010 AT 8:06 AM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Hi, if the fuel pressure spec is good, why would the fuel pump relay be faulty? Some of the national brand autostore used to loan out a fuel pressure gage. With TBI, you should be able to see injector spray pattern? Is it spraying with the engine cranking? The spray pattern doesn't mean the pressure is good, it shows there is voltage and ground pulse for the injector.

Check for trouble codes, you never know? You can check for codes by using a jumper wire between the A & B terminals at the datalink connector. Turn the key just till the dash lites come on, no further, then the mil starts flashing, you count the flashes to get the codes. Your looking for two digit codes.

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Saturday, March 13th, 2010 AT 10:08 AM

CMOSER126

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Ok. Been a while now. Still no luck! I have replaced the fuel pump relay, crank sensor, and coolant temp sensor. (The car happened to start when warmed up once after unplugging, and reconnecting it) What I have found when it is hot, if I turn the key on and off at least 3 times, each time waiting to here the fuel pump relay click, it normally starts.
Then to top it off yesterday while I was going to an interview. The car stalled. I got it restarted and the alt. Light came on, and stayed on. Belt is good, alt. Is only a few months old. I expected to be running off battery all the way home, but still had plenty of power in it when I got home. Went out this morning, and it is dead. Short somewhere draining it? The problems are multiplying. Btw. No trouble codes. Had 1 for the map sensor due to the air cleaner being removed. Repalced, retested, no codes.

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Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 AT 11:14 AM