1986 Chevy Cavalier losing fire

Tiny
WONDERWAGON
  • MEMBER
  • 1986 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Electrical problem
1986 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual

I recently purchased a 1986 Cavalier (2.0 4cyl manual) for $500 and immediately changed the plugs and wires, rotor and distributor cap, fuel pump and filter, air filter and oil change.

It runs GREAT. For about ten miles or 15 minutes, whichever seems to come first. Then, it just shuts down. The "check engine" light will come on and it acts as though it's not getting any fuel. However, this last time it happened, I had someone crank it while I checked for spark and found none. It seems to run just long enough to get me to work and back unless I stop at the store on my way there or back. After anywhere from 30-45 minuites it will start back up as if nothing was wrong.

Also, I find a draw of 12v when I put a test lamp or voltmeter between the neg bat cable and the neg post on the bat, yet, pulling the fuses one by one will not make it go away.

I work on RVs and some of them have resetable fuses for the coachworks. Is there one on this car that resets when it cools after overloading somehow?
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 AT 10:46 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors-
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Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 AT 11:46 PM
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
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An 86 is lacking cam or crank sensors. When it wont start, check for 12 volts on one side of the coil with key on, if ok, crank engine and use test light to see if other side of the coil flashes, if not you are probably looking at a module and pick-up coil that is shorting when hot
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Thursday, September 25th, 2008 AT 3:02 PM

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