Apparently I do not have a starting problem...as it starts, and my left arm hates me as I zapped it numb.
Here is the problem. The car ran fine as I drove it 100 miles or so to pick up my fiance and drop it back to keep it moving. I was not the last person to put gas in it so I do not know the quality of gas currently in the tank. Well last week I went to crank it up and it wouldn't do anything just acted like it was going to crank. Changed the plugs...it cranked right up but died again. Kept on doing that a couple times so tonight I replaced the fuel filter, and still. I have spark, but no fuel. Any suggestions on what I should test/replace next? I know more about Dodge vehicles since I work there...maybe I should learn about the 2200 as I have the Cavalier and Cobalt. Should I go straight to the fuel pump? I turn the key on and listen, but can't hear anything...how loud are those fuel pumps? I'm trying to get this car running so parents would just give it to me as a daily driver so I could keep the mileage on my Cobalt low.
So can anyone help me diag. this weird problem? Thanks
Already changed:
Spark Plugs
Fuel Filter
Not a Z24 owner currently researching about the car.
The Cobalt 2.2 is a completely different engine than the 2200. The 2200 is based on the 2.2 SOHC. The 2.2 in the Cobolt is an Eco based on the Olds 2.3L Quad Valve DOHC.
The fuel pumps are just about dead silent. It would be pretty hard to hear while in the car.
Does it start if you give it just a tiny bit of gas? Is the security light blinking?
2200 is OHV though......
any dahs lights come on....anything unusual happen to the car recently
I may run 18s, but I can do your taxes in 10 seconds flat.
Check your fuses. Even the ones under the hood. I've had a similar problem once, fuse went bad. Put a new one in and never had the problem again. Worth a try. Good luck to you either way.
C.T.S wrote:The fuel pumps are just about dead silent. It would be pretty hard to hear while in the car.
mines not... but maybe mines just an oddball
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^In the 6 GM cars my immediate family has I've never heard one while running. I assume everyone else's is the same......
All their pumps are essentially the same design.
an easy way to check if the pump is working if you can't hear it is to disconnect the line going into the fuel filter and put a bottle/bucket/something to catch gas under it. then turn the key on so the pump comes on. if you see gas getting pumped into your container you know it's working. also, when you replaced the filter, was it plugged? or could you blow through it easily as if you changed it for no reason? (i know that may sound stupid but it's really not)
Or if there is a purge valve on the fuel rail just hit the purge and see if it sprays... You will have to have some one turn the turn to on then purge it. The pump will only stay on for about five seconds.
true, but not all vehicles have easy access there and i honestly couldn't picture a cav fuel setup off the top of my head
Just remember that when you turn on the ignition, the fuel pump only runs for 3 seconds or so and then turns off. So at this stage you will hear nothing.
Starting sequence - Turn on ignition. Computer closes fuel pump relay. Pump runs. Computer opens fuel pump relay after 3 seconds. Fuel pump stops. Fuel rail is now primed. Crank engine. Engine starts. Oil pressure builds up and closes contacts on oil pressure switch. Oil pressure switch takes over from fuel pump relay and feeds 12 volts to fuel pump. Pump now starts again and continues to run as long as there is oil pressure.
So, if your car starts and then stops, take a look at your oil pressure switch. This is a safety interlock to stop the engine in case you run out of oil. Also, in the event of a collision and the engine stops, the fuel pump will cut off to prevent fuel spilling out.
C.T.S wrote:^In the 6 GM cars my immediate family has I've never heard one while running. I assume everyone else's is the same......
All their pumps are essentially the same design.
I can hear mine. If you turn the key to the on position (without the car running) you can hear it whine.
C.T.S wrote:The Cobalt 2.2 is a completely different engine than the 2200. The 2200 is based on the 2.2 SOHC. The 2.2 in the Cobolt is an Eco based on the Olds 2.3L Quad Valve DOHC.
The fuel pumps are just about dead silent. It would be pretty hard to hear while in the car.
Does it start if you give it just a tiny bit of gas? Is the security light blinking?
Sorry didn't clarify I knew the two 2.2L engines were completely different. Why I'm asking you guys about the 2200.
Not a Z24 owner currently researching about the car.
I have both the 2.2 Ecotec and the older 2.2L engines in 2 my cars. Both engines have the same start-up sequence described in my earlier post. At ignition-on before cranking, the fuel pump only runs for 3 seconds and then shuts off so you will not hear the pump running after that. When the engine starts the pump runs again but I doubt if you will hear it above the engine noise.
Well I checked the fuel pump 15A fuse and it was still intact. Swapped the relays for the A/C and FP took off the inlet hose(for the filter) and stuck a cup under it and had my Dad crank the engine.
No fuel went into the cup. Please say I do not have to drop the tank to gain access to the fuel pump...and can these be cleaned because he does not want to pay $240 for the fuel pump as we have a truck we're having to buy a alternator for.
Not a Z24 owner currently researching about the car.
Before you do anything drastic try this - only turn on the ignition. Do NOT crank the engine. See if any fuel runs into the cup. The pump should run for about 3 seconds and then stop. If it does that, it is not the fuel pump.
I did try that. Found me a used fuel pump going to get it in a day or two and install it over the weekend. Finally, no more useless mileage on the Cobalt.
Not a Z24 owner currently researching about the car.
