Chevrolet Repair: 96 cavalier wont start, spark plug wires, crank sensor


Question
I have a 96 cavalier 2.2 ltr auto trans. went to go some where last night and pulled out the drive went a half block and the car died and now wont re-start, its getting fuel but don't know if its getting spark?

Answer
HI VINCE, I WILL ASSUME THAT YOU CHECKED THE FUEL PRESSURE WITH A GAUGE AND CHECKED FOR VOLUME.
RESIDUAL PRESSURE WILL FOOL YOU ALL THE TIME. BUT LETS SAY IT IS GOOD. STEP 2,REMOVE ALL THE SPARK PLUG WIRES FROM THE PLUGS AND CK FOR SPARK AT ALL 4 WIRES WHILE CRANKING ENGINE OVER.. MAKE SURE SPARK IS GOOD AND NOT WEAK. HAVE SEEN SOME WEAK COILS ON THESE 2.2 LIT..IF NO SPARK IS PRESENT,MAY HAVE BAD IGNITION MODULE,CRANK SENSOR,WILL NEED A [SCAN TOOL TO CK FOR SIGNAL]STEP 3 IF ALL ABOVE IS GOOD. GET A 18 INCH SCREW DRIVER AND PUT IN INTO #1 CYLINDER,[CLOSEST TO THE DRIVE BELT] TAKE A SOCKET WRENCH AND MOVE THE FRONT CRANKSHAFT BOLT UNTILL THE SCREW DRIVER IS AT THE TOP OF ITS TRAVEL [TDC]AND STOP THERE.MAKE SURE IT IS ON THE TOP OF ITS TRAVEL,,VERY IMPORTANT].NOW LOOK AT THE CRANKSAHFT PULLEY [HARMONIC BALANCER]AND MAKE SURE THE TDC IS AT THE MARK ON THE PULLEY. IF NOT THE CHAIN HAS JUMPED TEETH OR THE GUIDE PLATE HAS BROKEN CAUSING THIS CHAIN TO HAVE A LOT OF PLAY IN IT. IF THIS MARK IS ON TDC, MOVE THE CRANK BOLT AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME MOVE IT LEFT AND RIGHT. AS SOON AS YOU MOVE THE CRANK, THE SCREW DRIVER SHOULD MOVE.IF NOT, CHAIN IS TO LOOSE..HAVE SEEN MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CHAIN GUIDES ON THESE 2.2 LIT GO BAD..THIS SHOULD TAKE CAR OF IT.HOPE THIS HELPS TOM...