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| Turns Over... No Start; 1999 Chevy "Sport Coupe" problems | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 12 2012, 01:38 PM (404 Views) | |
| bravelion2 | Nov 12 2012, 01:38 PM Post #1 |
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New Member
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Ok, so my grandpa just picked up this Gold 1999 Chevy Geo "Sport Coupe," (thats what it says on the side) for $500. Has 120xxx on it, clean as all get out inside and out, it turns over but doesn't start. The previous owner had 3 different mechanics work on it, 1 of which is a chevrolet dealership mechanic and even after they tried a whole bunch of stuff, even a couple different computers, it still wouldn't start. So I'm stuck with it for now and am feeling a little over my head..lol. Anyone have any experience with any of these or any ideas maybe? |
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| Johnny Mullet | Nov 12 2012, 02:02 PM Post #2 |
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Fear the Mullet
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Compression test the cylinders first! |
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| snowfish | Nov 12 2012, 02:16 PM Post #3 |
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Basic GearHead
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That's pretty scary in itself! At least we know it's Not the computer. ![]() Are we talking a 3 or 4 cylinder? We need fuel & air, compression, & spark. If one's missing, no start. Fuel pump running? Listen for the pump sound. Should here it, for a bit when the key is turned to the run position.Fuel getting to the injectors? Are the Injectors firing. Look down throttle body, while cranking, to see if it's squirting/misting fuel. Compression check. Should be consistent across all cylinders. Hopefully more than 150psi. Getting spark on all cylinders? Spark tester is the best bet. But pulling the plugs, and grounding to the block, while someone cranks it over works too. May want to use some "chicken pliers" All depends upon how lucky you feel.
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| wizard 03 | Nov 12 2012, 02:47 PM Post #4 |
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While the compression test is a good idea, you need to figure out why it isn't starting. The following is some very basic trouble shooting to help lead you in the general direction of the problem. Step one, add some gasoline or starting fluid to the throttle body. Step back, and turn over. If it starts, you have a fueling problem....If it backfires, then the timeing is incorrect.....If nothing occures, proceed to step two. Step two, pull off the coil wire to the distributor, or as I suspect is your case, pull a spark plug out of the engine and ground it to a very good ground. A engine mount, "CLEAN" part of the body, heck even the battery ground. Just make sure that if there is electricity flowing through the spark plug, that it has somewhere to go. Next, ask for someone to crank the motor while you keep an eye on the spark plug to watch for spark. Please make sure that the ground you have the spark plug grounded to is good. {obviousely I can't stress this enough" ....If don't see anything, ensure your spark plug gap is correct, that the ground is good, the wirse are ok, and everything from the coil to the battery is plugged in and nothing odd is dangleing loose. If nothing works and still no spark you have some sort of electrical problems on the ignition side of your wireing, computer, and so forth....This will take time, be expensive, and once you find it, it will be stupid simple. ....If you see bright blue spark jumping between the electrodes, this makes things easier and more complicated. Since you add'ed fuel to start the car, it should have caught on fire. Even if there was absolutely no compression, even if there was a big gapeing hole in the side of the engine, it still should have caught fire. My best guess on this one would to be to pull the head and have a look around on the inside of the engine. ....If you see a very weak spark or a spark every four or five spark cycles, my guess here will be a weak or underpowered coil. Just try a new coil and wires, then repeat the process. With the things you have said, and me takeing my time to think about this however, I do have a strong suggestion. Look for a loose or dangleing ground right above the alternator, and right behind the intake manifold. I remember freaking out over a no start issue after redoing my head gasket. I was getting ready to replace the coil when I seen it just dangleing there. there is a little bolt on that side of the intake, the ground goes there.
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If one's missing, no start.
May want to use some "chicken pliers"
All depends upon how lucky you feel.

3:18 AM Jul 11