Acts like it running out of gas?

Tiny
KEVINSJ1313
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 23 MILES
You can go two miles or twenty, it just stops running. I have put new fuel pump and filter on it had the head redone. It's a 2.4 l twin cam a quad 4. You can be driving down the road and it just acts like it runs out of gas and won't start back up.
Tuesday, October 25th, 2022 AT 4:13 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

What you described sounds like it could be a fuel or ignition issue. Since the fuel pump has been replaced, that is unlikely, but it can still be the issue.

When it stalls and won't restart, see if it starts with starting fluid and then stalls. If it does and then stalls, we know its fuel related. If there is no change, check for spark to the spark plugs. Here is a link that explains how to do it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-for-ignition-spark

If you find there is no spark, my first suspect is the crankshaft position sensor. The symptom you have is a textbook example of a failing sensor. Take a look through this link and let me know if it seems to mirror what you experience:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Let me know your thoughts and what you find.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, October 25th, 2022 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
KEVINSJ1313
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
I pulled the spark plugs out and there was no gas smell to them solo gas in then restart and went up the road it did it again. Try that again still didn't start. So, I tested the injectors. They're all working I jump them with a 9-volt battery and put them back in and still no start. I got to go back down there now and because it's not at my home. I got to go back and check and see if I'm getting the pulse on the injectors. Let me know if you can think of anything else.
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Thursday, October 27th, 2022 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
KEVINSJ1313
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
The only code I'm getting is a knock sensor code and that wouldn't stop it from running, I don't think.
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Thursday, October 27th, 2022 AT 12:14 PM
Tiny
KEVINSJ1313
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Could you tell me the resistance I should have on a crankshaft sensor? I called O'Reilly's and they said they didn't have the reference on it so.
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Thursday, October 27th, 2022 AT 12:25 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

My manual doesn't provide that information. Were you able to check for spark to the plugs? If you have spark, the sensor is working.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-for-ignition-spark

Also, if the sensor is the issue, with a live data scanner, you can check for a crank signal while cranking the engine with a no-start condition.

Let me know.

Joe.
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Thursday, October 27th, 2022 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
KEVINSJ1313
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Hey Joe, I don't have any spark, I got 1.9 on the two end pins on the sensor on the red wire and the back with white stripe. I have one ordered be in the morning.
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Friday, October 28th, 2022 AT 7:04 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

That sounds like a good plan. Let me know how things turn out for you. I'm interested in knowing. Also, let me know if there is anything additional, I can do to help.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, October 28th, 2022 AT 10:08 PM
Tiny
KEVINSJ1313
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Well, I put the sensor on, and it still doesn't start. It sounds like it is not getting fire. I know it's getting gas, so what can I do now?
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Saturday, October 29th, 2022 AT 7:22 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Keven,

Do you have access to a live data scan tool? If possible, check to see if there is an RPM signal when cranking the engine.

If you don't, first check the ignition fuse in the fuse block. Make sure if the fuses are good, you also confirm there is power to and from it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

If that is good, then with the key on, check the brown wire that goes to the coils. It should have 12v with the key on.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below. Pic 3 shows the wiring for the ignition control module and pic 4 is the fuse to check under the dash.
Images (Click to make bigger)
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Sunday, October 30th, 2022 AT 6:58 PM
Tiny
KEVINSJ1313
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Well, I got it going. I checked everything gas and wasn't going spark it had jumped time I thought I may have put the old chain tensioner home. So, I can change that put it back in time, bring it up, been going just going down the road and been about 12 miles maybe 14 miles pull off from stop sign going down the road cut off won't crank I like it run out of gas or spark stop. So I don't know.
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Monday, October 31st, 2022 AT 1:01 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

You got it going? Also, you indicate, "So I don't know." I'm not sure if it is fixed or not.

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, October 31st, 2022 AT 6:05 PM
Tiny
KEVINSJ1313
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
No, it's not fixed it. Does the same thing acts like it run out of gas but I checked for pulse on the injectors and it doing right on all injectors and it's getting gas it sounds like it is not getting fire it's just turning over. This is the second time it's done it and not started back so what could have made it jump time and what made it just act like it ran out of gas?
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Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 AT 3:40 AM
Tiny
KEVINSJ1313
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
I don't know that it is out of time this time but it was before and that's a lot of work to do to get to the timing chain and reset the timing if it's out of time and it didn't bend a valve I'm at my wits end I don't know what else to do with this car.
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Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 AT 3:44 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Do me a favor. When it won't start, record it cranking and upload it for me to hear. Hopefully, I will be able to tell if it is a timing issue.

If there is no spark, I suspect it is either the crankshaft position sensor or the ignition control module. So, reconfirm there is no spark when it won't start.

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 AT 6:39 PM

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