Pontiac Repair: 1997 Pontiac Sunfire will not start, 1997 pontiac sunfire, pontiac sunfire

Question
Hi Harold - I have a 97 Sunfire with a 2.2.  The engine turns over, but it sounds to me like it is not firing.  Trouble shooting performed:I have replaced plugs and check that the firing order is correct, There is spark when the engine is cranked, fuel pump is operating and the filter is good, recall was performed on the PCM.  I also pulled the valve cover off, since the gasket needed replaced, and found that the cam is operating.  I'm hoping this means the timing chain is not broke.

Could this be a pressure regulator problem or jumped timing?

Thanks - Bob

Answer
It is probably not a timing problem(very rare on a 2.2). Your problem is most likely fuel related. You could have low fuel pressure or the injectors might not be pulsing.
Unplug any one of the fuel injectors and jump across the connector terminals with a test light. The test light should flash when you crank the engine. If it does, check your fuel pressure. If it does not flash, there could be a problem in the PCM.
Also you can pull the vacuum hose off of the pressure regulator to check for gas in the hose. If there is, the regulator diaphram is ruptured and the regulator will need to be replaced.