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1996 Chevy Cavalier Possibly car computer?

Tiny
JERBIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 225,000 MILES
Hello,

I was recently driving my 96 Cavalier home from work and the engine just cut out on me. All dash lights came on and coasted to park. No noises or any signs of trouble before it happened. Now the car will not start. When trying to start it, the engine turns over but it will not start. I believe the fuel pump is working because I can hear it priming when turning the key on, I have checked and have spark on all 4 cylinders. I have no idea what to check for or test next. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
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Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 AT 2:16 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
Check for fuel pressure. You may be able to hear the pump, but there might not be enough pressure at the injectors. Also check for injector pulse at the injector harnesses
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 7:54 AM
Tiny
JERBIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks for your response rhall, how would I go about doing this. I am not too car tech savvy and do not have a wide array of tools as of yet. Is it possible that a fuel filter being clogged could stop a car dead like that? Thanks so much again.
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 10:57 AM
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
It could but I doubt it. To test the injectors I would suggest finding a set of noid lights. They are the best bet. Disconnect the electrical connecotr on the injector and plug the noid light in. Crank the engine. If the light blinks very fast the connections to the injector is fine and signal is going to the injectors.
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 11:37 AM
Tiny
JERBIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I cannot find a set of noid lights anywhere around here. Is there something else I could use or check. I was thinking about picking up a code scanner to see if that would maybe tell me the problem.
Thanks again.
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 2:23 PM
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
Your local parts store or your local snap on tool dealer would have them. Yes a code scanner will help. Let me know what you get
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 2:28 PM
Tiny
JERBIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Alright, found a set of noid lights and tested each injector harness, each harness flashed as I attempted to start the car. So I can assume that the ECM is fine, right? What else should I test, hopefully it doesnt involve me spending more money that I need to on this car. I really appreciate your help and quick responses.

Thank you.
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 4:43 PM
Tiny
JERBIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I just also loaned out a code reader from Autozone, and a fuel filter. I checked codes first and it passed. Don't know if a failed fuel pump would trigger a code or not. I am going to put in the new filter now and see where that gets me.
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 5:15 PM
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
You also need to test fuel pressure and see what the reading is
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Thursday, February 5th, 2009 AT 7:21 AM
Tiny
RHPEARSONII
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Along with testing fuel pressure don't forget to test fuel volume. Many forget this or don't no any better but a vehicle can have good fuel pressure but the pump isn't putting out enough volume. For this reason they put the fuel pressure regulator on the return side of the system. If they put it on the pressure side it would reduce volume. A fuel system must have pressure and volume to make it function correctly.
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Saturday, February 21st, 2009 AT 12:30 PM

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