Ok so i purchased this 98 chevy cavalier 2 weeks ago. its a manual 2.4l engine. it ran great for the first to weeks and then i tryed staring it one morning and it wouldnt start but ran great the day before. it turns over fine and really wants to go but just wont lol. i took a video to show you guys what it does. i dont know what it is. any help is greatly appreciated. thanks


heres the video of what it does and what pops up on the dash

1998 Chevy Cavalier - YouTube

 

Welcome to the forum. Based on the aftermarket gauge on top of the dash, someone's been busy at the wiring. Sometimes that can be a headache. What other aftermarket additions are there? When it ran, was the THEFT SYSTEM indicator on with the engine running? Do you hear the fuel pump prime for a few seconds as soon as the key is turned to RUN?

 

yes there is an aftermarket gauge on top of the dash and a few pod dashes on the driver side by the top of the door. there might be an aftermarket alarm in it to but im not sure. Im not sure if the theft system light was on with the engine running i dont remeber. Also i do hear the fuel pump priming when i turn the key to the run position.

 

I don't know what to say, then. It'd be best to tow it in. Hope it's nothing major.

 

dang, You dont have a clue what it could be? Do you think it could be the theft system or deffinetly not? Also how do i check to see if i am getting spark? thanks

 

Assuming it is not the anti-theft system ...

Every internal combustion engine needs ignition and fuel to run. Unless there is a major problem - probably not since it is turning over - checking these two would be the first task. Since you can hear the fuel pump ignition is the first suspect. I'd remove one of spark plugs and check if spark is there visually.

 

I absolutely mean no disrespect but if you 98cavalierguy were serious about working on it yourself, you should consider an online subscription to ALLDATAdiy.com Leading Source of Factory Automotive Repair Information or Do it Yourself Automobile Repair Manuals - Mitchell 1 DIY. As for spark testing, the 2.4L TWIN CAM engine is problematic due to the Integrated Direct Ignition (IDI) housing a.k.a. engine cover. Remove the IDI assembly, pull the plugs and then install them to the IDI assembly, ground the spark plugs, reconnect the electrical connector to the IDI assembly, and then crank.

 

ok, so if you were working on the car what would you do? you think its the coil or the thing thats attatched to the head and connects with the spark plugs?

 

From simple to involved? Check the air filter element to make sure it's passing air (sometimes dumb things bite); hang a OBD scan tool, check for trouble codes and monitor various sensors while cranking; pull a spark plug and inspect/smell it. About this time, I should have some idea where to go next.

 

Smelling plugs requires experience. You can smell gas on plugs even when the mixture is too lean ... if our fellow member here had this experience he wouldn't be posting here ...