96 Cavalier computer issue.
 

I recently have had problems with my car(96' Cavalier 2.4). All in all I had to replace the cat. and some spark plugs. We found out that 2 cylinders were not firing and after taking the car out for a drive (after changing the cat.) they still weren't working right. So after some test work/ guess work. We think the module might be shot. We tried to run a diagnostic tool on the car, but the tool won't turn on.

The tool is for the right year and it works on the other trucks we have. So long story short I need to test my computer to see if it's malfunctioning. I'm not too sure on how to do that because the guys at Auto-Zone don't seem to know what they're talking about... (at least the one near my house)

RE: 96 Cavalier computer issue.
 

Do you have distributorless ignition? Sounds more like a dead coil pack to me. If both cylinders are running or not running off the same coil that would most likely be the problem.

RE: 96 Cavalier computer issue.
 

make sure ur accessory power fuse it good cuz that's wat powers up ur data link connector to turn on ur scanner.

RE: 96 Cavalier computer issue.
 

ok thanks you two, going to check the fuse and coilswhen I get out of work. I'm pretty sure we checked all the fuses though, I'll let you know

RE: 96 Cavalier computer issue.
 

http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger...20Cavalier.jpg

This is for the 99 it may help with the 96.

" There is common cause for this problem and it is attributed to the poor location of the ecm. If you look under the front fender of the car and remove the cover, you will see the ecm. A lot of times, because it is too close to the ground and rain water when you are driving, the wire terminals to the ecm will be corroded. When that happens, the wires will be covered with "green stuff" and later the wire can have a poor contact or even break. Try wiggling the wires to the ecm and find which wire is broken. Repair if necessary.

If the ecm will still have no communication with your scanner, remove the ecm and test all the ground and power supply wires as per ATS past newsletters (testing ecm). If the readings are normal and reference voltage is erratic, replace the ecm. "

RE: 96 Cavalier computer issue.
 

ok, it's definately not the fuses. As for the coil pack, I'm not sure exactly where its located on the car, I looked under the intake and didnt see it. So I need some help figuring out where that is before I can check that. Also that doesn't really explain why the diagnostic wouldnt start up, is there some kind of relay the computer has that can be replaced?

RE: 96 Cavalier computer issue.
 

Follow the plug wires from the plugs to either a coil pack or a distributor. Figuring out which cylinder is failing is easy enough just remove one wire at a time and see if it runs any worse or not.
I suggest you remove the wire while the engine is off and only one at a time. Any cylinder that makes the engine run worse with the wire off is a good firing cylinder

RE: 96 Cavalier computer issue.
 

well on a 2.4L the coil pack is located underneath that metal plate that says 2.4L on it. u take out those 4bolts and unplug that connector and that's it. only other thing that u could check for the dlc not powering up is to get a schematic and test the wires for an open or something goin to the dlc.

RE: 96 Cavalier computer issue.
 

Hi everyone, I'm new here. Got a 92 Cavalier RS, 4 cylinderthat I've been doing some work on, replaced 2 motor mounts, fuel filter, plugs etc.
Car drove fine to work on Friday, then at lunch time, was only running on two cylinders. Cylinders 2 and 3 are not firing, but 1 and 4 are. I pulled the wires one at a time to find this out. I'm getting spark out of all of the wires. Can you have a bad coil if there is still spark?
I'm taking a class at the local Auto Repair shop and go in on Tuesday night. I have access to lifts, so any suggestions before then would be appreciated.
I was looking to the injectors also. Could two of them go bad or dirty at the same time. Any other suggestions?
By the way, I just had a new catalytic converter put in to replace one that had "corked".

Milkman