Pontiac Repair: 1998 Sunfire--2.2 Liter, pontiac sunfire, firing order


Question
Hi Scott:

My Pontiac Sunfire will not start.  I had driven through water from a storm and it started missing.  I drove probably another 15 miles hoping it would dry out, but it just stalled and would not start back up.

I have replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires, both coil packs, the fuel filter, and the crank position sensor, but it still will not start.  The ignition sensor cannot be tested at Auto Zone to see if it is bad and if I purchase one, it is going to be approximately $240.00.

Do you think that this is what is wrong or could it be something else and should I just take it to a garage and have them put it on the computer?  

Answer
If the problem only first started when you drove through water then it must have to do with your ignition system. I know it may sound silly, but are you positive that when you put the new wires on your car that you got the firing order correct? Quite often a problem like this usually ends up resulting from a simple mistake that everyone has done at some point in time. But if it isn't that then I will need to have a better idea of what it is trying to do.. ie, is it cranking over and not firing, is it firing but not starting up, or is it just doing nothing at all? Please get back to me as soon as is convenient!