93 Geo Storm starts, then won't start

JOJORISIN

MEMBER
1993 GEO STORM
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
160,000 MILES

I replaced the plugs, plug wires, coil, dist. Cap, rotor, idle control valve & air filter. The car started fine, drove like a champ, stopped & started a few times more then it wouldn't start at all, just cranks like its out of gas. Swapped the dist. Cap for a better one, & then the same thing all over again. At this writing it won't start. The distributor by the way, looks pretty shot out. Rusty as hell. After 4 or 5 starts, it just doesn't wanna turn over anymore.

Friday, July 1st, 2011 AT 3:05 AM

6 Replies

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

It could be the advance system in the distributor. When the engine is running, check the timing, see if it fluctuates. Accelerate the engine and see if the timing advances.
You said it "just doesn't wanna turn over anymore." Do you mean start, or crank? If you mean crank, check the battery. Make sure it is fully charged, and while at the parts store, have them perform a load test to see if it holds a charge.
Does the engine refuse to start when cold or hot?

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Friday, July 1st, 2011 AT 4:14 AM

JOJORISIN

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14 POSTS

I meant it just doesn't wanna start anymore after a few times of starting. The idle was all out of whack. It was racing and fluctuating whenever I wasn't in gear.(Manual tranny) I put a new/used idle control valve but I haven't been able to test it.(Car won't start) I think you're right about the advance system. The distributor seems all rusted & rotted. Also I play hell trying to get the dist. Cap on because the rotor seems to be hindering it. And now I don't think the rotor is even turning. I haven't found a helper yet. The battery is good(it cranks the car strong)It refuses to start when its hot only.

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Friday, July 1st, 2011 AT 9:23 AM

JOJORISIN

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14 POSTS

I gotta get another distributor I'm sure. I just hope you say thats the problem and replacing it is the solution

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Friday, July 1st, 2011 AT 9:32 AM

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

Pull the cap and crank the engine while watching the rotor to see if it turns. Can you turn the rotor by hand? Look at the underside of the distributor cap to look for wear.
"It refuses to start when its hot only. " So it will start when cold? If so, spray some carburetor cleaner around the vacuum lines, fittings and wear the intake manifold mates to the cylinder head with the engine running. Listen for the engine reving or smoothing while you spray. Or, do you mean when the weather is warm?

A rusty distributor definitely isn't helping anything. Try testing the fuel pressure. Make sure it's around 30 PSI. If the engine starts when cold but not when hot, it could be vapor lock caused by insufficient fuel pressure.

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Friday, July 1st, 2011 AT 3:32 PM

JOJORISIN

MEMBER
14 POSTS

No it will not start when cold. The rotor turns when cranking, would not turn by hand. I currently have the distributor out, I'm changing the ignition control module and I'm going to replace the fuel pump relay and fuel filter. I have another fuel pump if needed. Can you send me diagrams for the under-the-hood fuses?

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Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 AT 9:34 AM

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

1st diagram is for Single Overhead Cam Engine, 2nd is for Dual Overhead.
The fact that the rotor turns when cranking but not by hand is good. It means the distributor shaft isn't snapped.
Borrow a fuel pressure tester from a parts store and check the fuel pressure. When cranking, can you hear the injectors clicking, indicating they're opening and closing?

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