1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Rough Idle

1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
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RALPH
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I need to know the orientation of the ignition module so I can put the spark plug wires in the correct position. It is installed on the back of the engine so it's difficult to see it.

I know 2,3,1,4 is the order, but is this from left to right facing the unit, top to bottom, or what. I can't tell if the cylinder #'s are printed on the module.

Thanks.

Ralph.
Jan 23, 2007 at 10:16 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Don't blast me if I am mistaken but I believe the coils are side by side like this:


https://images.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/30961_coil_1.jpg

And the drawing of the order is like this:


https://images.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/30961_order_1.jpg

My drawing is not matching your description in relations to the coil location. With out seeing it I don't know if I'm helping. The coils are usually marked if original, a small mirror will help to check.
Jan 23, 2007 at 10:49 AM
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RALPH
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Thanks Paul. The mirror is a good idea.
I assume if I had the wires in the wrong order the car would run rough. It's running well right now.

Ralph.
Jan 23, 2007 at 1:34 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
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I would say that's accurate. I looked at my wife's car last night to see if it was similiar, but there must have been a design change. The only thing I noticed was the numbers on the plug. You can use a digital camera as well to "look".
Jan 23, 2007 at 9:22 PM
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RALPH
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Paul (or whomever), I verified the wires are connected properly. Turns out the ignition module is mounted vertically in my car.

So the car is running fine, except it idles roughly. It runs well otherwise.

So the new plug wires have fixed the starting problem and now the idle is bad. I assume this is a coincidence.

I've been told this could be a vacuum problem. I don't see any visible hosing that is lose. The PCV is new and also the air filter. The fuel filter has never been replaced (200,000 km) because the garage couldn't remove the old one.

All of the original sensors are still installed.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Ralph.
Jan 29, 2007 at 8:14 AM
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The fuel filter concerns me. Find a way to get it replaced. We just did a caviliar fuel pump and fuel filter. I told her before to get it changed or this would happen. May be too late on yours. Check fuel pressure for a better insight.
Jan 29, 2007 at 9:55 AM
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RALPH
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Well, I decided to go all out and take the car to the garage.

They did the computer thing and are doing the following work:

- replace spark plugs -(they have about 75k-100K km. on them)

- replace EGR valve - They claim it was in bad shape and there was a missing gasket. (never replaced before - 200,000 km.)

- clean the intake manifold (probably never properly done before either)

I haven't picked up the car yet.

Just thought I'd get some feedback on whether this work sounds reasonable for an idling problem and then let you know the results.

The fuel filter is not being replaced at this time.
Jan 30, 2007 at 6:20 AM
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I like the intake valves being cleaned and the plugs being replaced, mostly from a maintenance preventative view. If codes were produced to diagnose the egr I'm okay with it. Missing gasket sounds odd.

My reason for concern on the filter is less about performance than prevent a 500 dollar fuel pump job. As the filter plugs, it makes the pump work harder and burn out.
Jan 30, 2007 at 9:26 AM
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RALPH
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Well, the car is running well and the idling problem seems to be resolved.

I didn't receive any results from the computer scan (I didn't have to pay for it), but I'm going to follow up on that.

I got the old parts. The plugs are worn and white. The EGR valve is dirty, but I guess you can't tell from that its true condition.

Those EGR valves must have a lot of sophisticated electronics in them considering their price.

Next on the list will be the fuel filter.

Thanks for your various suggestions on this situation.
Jan 31, 2007 at 1:54 AM

Suggested Repair

Confirm coil and plug-wire orientation using the module markings, a mirror, or a camera. For the rough idle, the plugs, EGR valve, and intake cleaning addressed the problem. Also check fuel pressure and replace the long-overdue fuel filter to reduce the risk of fuel-pump failure.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.2L asked how the ignition module was oriented so the plug wires could be installed correctly. The expert suggested checking factory markings with a mirror or camera. The owner confirmed the wires were correct and the car ran well, but then reported a rough idle. The expert recommended checking fuel pressure and replacing the never-changed fuel filter to protect the fuel pump. A shop replaced the worn plugs, replaced the dirty EGR valve, and cleaned the intake manifold. The idle problem was resolved, and the owner planned to replace the fuel filter next.

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