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1989 cavalier


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br3ather
Novice

Nov 16, 2011, 6:46 PM

Post #1 of 6 (3446 views)
1989 cavalier Sign In

I have a 1989 cavalier that has been running great for us. Its the z24 with the v6. it just now decided to start acting funny. Its starts right up never any trouble and runs but then out of nowhere it dies.. I know its something electrical. it does not bog out and it dont get spark but if I let it sit for awhile 30 min to a few hours it starts right up and runs fine. it does get fuel. any advice would be great. thanks


Mr.scotty
Enthusiast
Mr.scotty profile image

Nov 16, 2011, 10:19 PM

Post #2 of 6 (3409 views)
Re: 1989 cavalier Sign In

Any check engine light?
How did you confirm it had no spark?
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Your only as good as your tools!


br3ather
Novice

Nov 16, 2011, 10:27 PM

Post #3 of 6 (3408 views)
Re: 1989 cavalier Sign In

the check engine light is stuck on has been sense I bought it the reader brings nothing up so one issue is a short in the wiring. I checked spark at the end of the wire and checked different coils and wires to eliminate a bad wire or coil


Mr.scotty
Enthusiast
Mr.scotty profile image

Nov 16, 2011, 11:00 PM

Post #4 of 6 (3407 views)
Re: 1989 cavalier Sign In

These have a waste spark ignition, And if you have no spark from all the coils I would be looking at the crank shaft position sensor signal for any problems.
Theres also a bypass test you can do too.
Heres how: get a cheap test light (you can buy them at harborfreight or most autoparts stores)
connect it to battery positive +, then you want to backprobe the yellow wire at your crank sensor (you can buy or make your own back probe) then with two plug wires unhooked next to each other at the coils, tap your test light on and off the back probe a few times, If you see/hear spark jump across the two coil posts and you had no spark before you can be sure you need a crank sensor.

Hope this helps.
--------------------------------------------------------

Your only as good as your tools!

(This post was edited by Mr.scotty on Nov 17, 2011, 9:42 AM)


br3ather
Novice

Nov 17, 2011, 6:42 AM

Post #5 of 6 (3393 views)
Re: 1989 cavalier Sign In

Thank you I will do that and let you know what I get.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 17, 2011, 7:24 AM

Post #6 of 6 (3387 views)
Re: 1989 cavalier Sign In

Do Mr. Scotty's test for CPS. Had a 2.8 that showed nothing wrong just quit without provocation of hot,cold, wet then start right up like nothing wrong!

Real POS 88 Celebrity. All wiring was fine, not burned, rubbing and with help/suggestions from others here in biz still said it's one of three things at cost of just parts exceeded value of car so took decent bucks for the salvage of it.

I had tester for fuel pressure on it and spark tester on it at last ditch and let it run till it quit the third time and witnessed no spark, no fuel pressure but strong cranking still. 20 minutes later it ran like new. Slightly different case in that I had no fuel and no spark at same time?

No response to priming it of course with no spark. This and others of the era can pull this crap from an oil pressure switch - best guess is not all did that and it was just a two wire idiot light.

Unknown as said I took off what I wanted and got bucks for the remains and will never know what would have fixed it but think it was shutting down like a safety failure as if it was in a collision.

Your call based on condition overall. I won by junking mine - as said a POS but was a legal clunker. Not into walking thank youMad

T







 
 
 






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