My son bought a 97 Cav and it doesn't start. He is a college kid and thought he could get it running himself and save some money. Dad has to help now and I haven't done serious wrenching on cars for a number of years. But this seems to be a good father son project. I could use some help.

Clues:

The engine turns over but doesn't fire.

We sprayed a little starter fluid into the air intake and it still didn't fire. So we eliminated fuel issues.

We pulled all four plugs and layed them against metal and determined that we are getting spark in all four cylinders.

We have one error code and that is the cam shaft position sensor is reading low.

My son left the key in the on position for over 10 minutes to reset the theft light. It didn't work.

The prior owner said it ran fine one day and when he went out to start it, it simply didn't start. He also said we should appreciate that he just filled up the fuel tank. That is the only thing I can think of when I ask the question of "What changed" since it last ran.

What's next to test or do?
I'm thinking it could be a timing belt or the cam shaft position sensor. However, I have read posts about the theft system (light stays on constant) as a possible problem. I have also read about bad key switches.

My son is footing the bill on this so I don't want to guess to much to solve the problem.

I have been paying it forward as a very active participant helping others in the Yamaha Grizzly ATV forum I frequent. Today, I need to ask for help on this problem.

Jeff

Do u hear the fuel pump prime when u turn the key on?


Peter
'06 Cobalt ss/sc W/G85 Package
Gm Stage II W/2.79" Pulley
K&N Drop In Filter
Custom Magnaflow Dual Exhaust

^^^ deffinitely, and most fuel pumps go after you fill them up usually.


"A goal without a plan is just a wish"

Yes it comes on for a short period of time. I'm assuming it is pressurizing the lines and then shuts of.

If he sprayed starting fluid and it still didnt fire its not the fuel system. I would say since ur getting a CE light with the cam position sensor, then best bet thats prolly the reason its not starting. I would assume, since its a 97 and U didnt mention its a Z or not, I would assume its a LN2 or 2.2 OHV. If thats the case, ANYTHING that screws with that sensor will and does cause the car to crank and crank just not start. I would swap the sensor, clear the code and go from there. Ill explain why, I had a 97 also but a Sunfire with the 2.2. And when it rained outside, or was moist or any kind of dampness, the car would not start and set a CE light for the Cam Postion sensor. I swaped the sensor with a new one, and still the same issue. Now, I figured that since it did this only when wet it was the harness with the issues. I swaped out the whole engine harness and boom, problem solved. But I would not recomend that for you. But did it do this while it was wet outside?? If so, wait till it gets dry and see if it starts, if it does, then prolly thats ur same problem, but I must digress, the chances of that happening are slim.

Also, since you said the theft light stays lit, try resetting it. Go Here to the FAQ section, and do the relearn, just follow per your year. It says Fuel Password Learn Procedure. Just follow the directions for ur year (95-99) and see if that helps. Goodluck!

Thank you Mike.

The engine is a basic 2.2.

I have a Mustang GT and had a cam sensor error code. Found out it was actually the alternator causing it. Go figure that one.

Our next step is to replace the sensor. I heard it's on the back side of the engine and hard to get at. Any tips?

Jeff

Yeah, TONS of patience lol. They have a tendency of swelling up, and really causing you a headache. Just make sure you pull the correct one, the cam and crank sensor are very close to each other, so double check before you go and yank the wrong one out. I replace the cam sensor and crank sensor before, and there a PITA to get out. Just pull and pry, and If u have a set of channel locks that would be the best thing to try and get down there and pull it out with. Once out, the other one slides right in and just reinstall the bolt holding it to the block. It may take a hour or two to get the old one out, but litereally takes 2-5 mins to reinstall the new one since it isnt swollen lol. Goodluck, hope it fixes ur issues.


Oh and if you search the site, there is a link somewhere you can download the Chiltons Repair Manual for the 3rd Gen J's for free, and use that to help you out. Goodluck!


Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Friday, December 03, 2010 3:25 PM

If you have spark and it has fuel. Or you used starting fluid and it didn't start you have more problems on your hands. I would say myself do a compression check first. Then If it is firing I would have to say there is something wrong if the older 2.2 has a crank sensor it may be firing out of time. Could be out of time or be worse and be what the older 2.2 suffers from. Which is jumping time or breaking the timing change.

Also if the theft system light is staying on. It should start and just shut off. That is the problem I have had. Not sure if there is another one to deal with it though. But I highly doubt it is the problem.