1988 Chevy Cavalier won't idle

1988 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
120,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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BBRANHAM215
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
when we first got the car, it was sitting for a month. drove it home. it was running real rough. i had to put the car in 1st to get it to even go. got it home, let it sit over night, when i went to start it, it would turn over, backfire, then stall. replaced the temperature coolant sensor, coil packs, plugs, and wires. sense there is no cam shaft sensor, i'm thinking it may have jumped gears or the crank shaft sensor is bad. any ideas would help. thanks
Dec 11, 2007 at 7:41 AM
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BLACKOP555
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 10,386 POSTS
first thing you can do is check to see if its getting fuel and propper PSI and bright blue spark, post back your results.
Dec 11, 2007 at 9:00 AM
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BBRANHAM215
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
it has the bright blue spark, and it seems to be getting enough fuel. i don't have the funds right now to take the car and get the psi checked. any way to do that yourself? i have intake off right now and when you crank the car, the injectors spray just fine. the only thing is that sometimes it smells like it gets to much fuel, sometimes like it's not getting enough. i have a fuel filter, thinking that might need changed. thanks for getting back to me
Dec 12, 2007 at 5:44 AM
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BLACKOP555
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 10,386 POSTS
check to see if the car jumped time. put the #1 cylinder on TDC, then look at the rotor and it should be facing the #1 spark plug wire, if not it has jumped time.
Dec 12, 2007 at 8:02 AM
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