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HOMESERVICE MANUALSCHEVROLET1992CAVALIER VL, 4D SEDAN, STANDARDREPAIR AND DIAGNOSIS (SINGLE PAGE)ENGINE PERFORMANCETESTING & DIAGNOSISENGINE CONTROLS - BASIC TESTINGNO START DIAGNOSIS (A-3)NO START - ENGINE CRANKS OK (2.2L PORT FUEL INJECTION W/DIS)IGNITION SYSTEM
1992 Chevrolet Cavalier VL, 4D Sedan, Standard

Ignition System

1992 Chevrolet Cavalier VL, 4D Sedan, StandardSECTION Ignition System
  1. Install "Scan" tester. Check for stored ECM trouble codes. Scan TPS voltage. If TPS reading is less than .2 volt or greater than 2.5 volts, use Code 21 chart first. Scan CTS temperature. If scanned coolant temperature is less than -38°C, use Code 14 chart first. See appropriate G - TESTS W/ CODES article in this section. Monitor RPM on "Scan" tester while cranking engine. If no RPM is displayed, go to step 6).
  2. If all parameters scan okay, probe fuel pump test connector (Red wire located behind left front shock tower) using a test light connected to battery voltage. With ignition off, test light should be on. Turn ignition on. Test light should go out for about 2 seconds and then come back on. If test light functions as described, go to next step. If test light does not function as described, check fuel pump relay power supply, driver circuit and windings.
  3. Using Spark Tester (ST-125), check for spark on spark plug wires 1 and 2 or 3 and 4. Check one wire at a time, leaving other wires connected during cranking. If spark does not occur on both plug wires, go to step 6). If spark occurs on both wires, turn ignition off. Disconnect 2-wire injector harness connector. Using DVOM, measure resistance across harness terminals on injector side of harness. Resistance should be 2.9-5.0 ohms.
  4. If resistance is within specification, go to next step. If resistance is less than 2.9 ohms, repair short in harness or replace any injector which measures 11.6 ohms or less when measured individually with injector harness connector removed. If resistance is greater than 5.0 ohms, repair open in harness or replace any injector which measures 12.4 ohms or greater when measured individually with injector harness connector removed.
  5. Install injector test light in injector jumper harness connector (ECM side). Crank engine. If injector test light does not flash, go to step 12). If injector test light flashes, recheck fuel pressure. Also check for fouled spark plugs, EGR valve stuck open or a shorted A/C pressure sensor, any one of which could cause a no-start condition.
    CAUTION: When probing DIS circuits, ensure hands and clothing do not contact rotating engine belts and pulleys.
  6. If not previously done, using Spark Tester (ST-125), check for spark on spark plug wires 1 and 2 or 3 and 4. Check one wire at a time, leaving other wires connected during cranking. If no spark is present, go to step 9). If spark occurs on one wire, go to step 8).
  7. If spark is present on both wires, turn ignition off. Disconnect 6-wire ignition module connector. Turn ignition on. Monitor RPM on "Scan" tester while repeatedly touching ignition module harness connector terminal "E" with a test light connected to battery voltage. If RPM is observed on tester, replace ignition module. If RPM is not displayed on tester, repair open or short to ground on RPM (high reference) input circuit between ECM connector and ignition module connector. If open or short is not present, problem is faulty ECM connections or faulty ECM.
  8. If spark is present on one wire only, note which wire and coil has no spark. Turn ignition off. Remove ignition coil. Check for carbon tracking or faulty connections between coils and module. Replace coil if carbon tracking exists. If connections are okay and no carbon tracking exists, switch coil positions on module and retest for spark. If no-spark condition follows coil, replace faulty coil. If no-spark condition is still on original plug wire, replace ignition module.
  9. If no spark was present in step 6), turn ignition off. Disconnect 2-wire ignition module connector. Turn ignition on. With test light connected to ground, probe 2-wire connector Pink/Black wire terminal. See Fig 1 or Fig 2. If test light is not on, repair open in ignition module power supply circuit. If test light is on, probe Black/White wire of 2-wire ignition module connector with test light connected to battery voltage. If test light is on, go to next step. If test light is not on, repair open in ignition module ground circuit.
  10. Turn ignition off. Disconnect 3-wire crankshaft sensor connector at ignition module. See Fig 1 or Fig 2. Ensure resistance is 800-1200 ohms between Purple and Yellow wires of crankshaft sensor harness connector at ignition module. If resistance is within specification, go to next step. If resistance is less than 800 ohms, crankshaft sensor leads are shorted together or crankshaft sensor is faulty. If resistance is 1200 ohms or greater, check for open in Yellow or Purple wire or poor connections at crankshaft sensor. If no problems are found with sensor circuit or connections, crankshaft sensor is faulty.
  11. With DVOM set on AC volts, connect voltmeter between Yellow and Purple wires of crankshaft sensor harness connector. Crank engine. If voltmeter reading is greater than .3 volt, ignition module is faulty. If voltmeter does not indicate greater than .3 volt, connections at crankshaft sensor are poor or crankshaft sensor is faulty.
  12. If light did not come on at one or both injector harness terminals, go to next step. If light was on steady on one or both injector harness terminals, turn ignition off. Disconnect ECM connectors and all injector connectors. With a test light connected to battery voltage, check injector drive circuits for short to ground. Repair as necessary. If no shorts to ground are present, problem is faulty ECM connections or faulty ECM.
  13. Turn ignition on. Remove injector test light from injector harness. Probe Pink/Black wire terminal of injector harness connector with a test light connected to ground. If test light is not on, repair open in injector power supply circuit. If test light is on, turn ignition off. Reconnect injector harness connector. Disconnect ECM connectors.
  14. Turn ignition on. Probe ECM harness connector terminal A5 with a test light connected to ground. If test light is not on, repair open in injector drive circuits between injector harness connector and ECM harness connector. If test light is on, turn ignition off. Disconnect all 4 injector connectors. Turn ignition on. Again probe ECM connector terminal A5 with a test light connected to ground.
  15. If light is on, repair short to voltage in that circuit. If test light is not on, problem is short or open in ECM peak and hold jumper, faulty ECM connections or faulty ECM.
Fig 1: 2.2L PFI Ignition System (Beretta & Corsica)
G92D04655Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
RENDER: 1.0x

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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.