Working on a friend's 96 2.2l cavalier. The car won't start. Has no spark to the plugs and the fuel pump will not kick on when you turn the key to the on position. Every now and then it will kick on and start, but die right away. I have done the whole reset thing to see if it was the theft system. We have changed the computer. We ran a hot wire from the fuel pump to the battery and it is working. We have checked relays, fuses, etc. We plugged a different coil pack in and didn't work. We have changed the egr valve, and I can't even remember how many sensors. We took the ignition off of a 2.4l 97 pontiac sunfire and it didn't work. I'm sure I have missed other stuff we have done. Is there anything else we are missing or can do? Please help!!!!! I am ready to take a sledge hammer to it...lol

Jim

Have you guys checked the igintion switch / Also the crank Sensor. It the battery fully charged, Have you tryed jump starting it?.


Good Luck,

If you get no fuel or spark at all, the theft system is not to blame.
The ECU will always send fuel and spark when it's time to start the car. It checks the theft system a few seconds later and then shuts down the car if something isn't right.
Also, I doubt the crank position sensor is faulty because it doesn't explain your fuel pump not coming on.

Does the rest of your car react when the key is on? Does the radio come on, does the blower work, etc?
Don't confuse the RUN position with the BULB TEST position. Just because you see lights in the instrument panel doesn't mean your ECU is getting the RUN signal.

The contact which enables the RUN wire in the ignition switch might be bad. The START contact is good and that's why the engine cranks, but unless the RUN contact stays on, it's like cranking your car and turning the key to OFF right away. I'm not sure which wire it is, but try hotwiring the RUN terminal on the ignition switch and then cranking it.

2002 Cavalier 2200 5spd