help with a 2000 Cavalier

[jaak]

My bro has a 2000 Chevy Cavalier (2.4 twin cam, not the 2.2). He was driving to work yesterday, and it died on him. It will turn over but wont run. I don't have many diagnostic tools, so I started checking what I could. I checked all the obvious first, fuses, etc. Then I pulled the ignition housing off, has spark. pulled the injector rail, turned the car over, no fuel coming from injectors. Pulled off fuel filter, dosen't seem clogged but while I had it off I turned on the switch again...you can hear the fuel pump hum, but very little if any fuel trickles out of the open fuel line coming from the tank. Do you think the pump is running, but doesn't have enough pressure? Making me think the pump is bad, but don't want to drop $250 on a pump, until I'm positive its the problem. Any other suggestions or things to check?

Jason

[RD]

get a fuel injection pressure tester and hook it up to the fuel rail.

now... i have to ask.. did you make sure the timing marks are correct?  did you check the crank and cam position sensor for damage or wear?  did you check to make sure you had spark coming from the coil and into the plugs?

personally, it is most likely the fuel pump that is bad, but I like to check everything to be on the safe side.  hook it up to a fuel pressure tester and go from there.

[moparmoynihan]

See if you have fuel pressure, then fuel injector pulse. There is a noid light you can plug in to the injector harness right on top of the rail. Just pick an injector, it doesn't matter which one. It will flash when the car gets a command to fire the fuel injector, if there is no flash, there is no command. Then check for spark at the plugs, an inline spark tester will help you diagnose this. All of these diagnostic tools are very cheap, and will save you money in the long run. If you have no spark, and no injector pulse, and no fuel pressure, its most likely he crank sensor. A very common problem with newer cars. It may also be the cam sensor, or ignition pick up coil. Check online at similar problems people had encountered with this particular vehicle. If all else fails, the fuel pump is probally in its failed state. Johnny 

[elacruze]

I have a '96 Sunfire and '00 Cavalier, both with the 2.4TC.

First thing is, put a gallon of gas in it. These things are notorious for having the sending unit fail and then stopping at 1/4 tank. I've been caught twice that way. Put some gas in it and listen for the pump to pick it up. Pay attention to the fuel gauge. If it starts but the gauge reads 1/4 you know it's lying.
If that's not it, my experience is that the pumps fail after you shut them off, not while in service. It's possible that the pickup tube fell off, or the pump seal to the output has failed and is leaking inside the tank. If a gallon of fuel doesn't start it, you'll be pulling the pump in any case.

[jaak]

Thanks guys for the suggestions.....I'll check the things you all listed   

Jason

[jaak]

Thanks for the help guys.... wound up being the fuel pump, got it running again!

Jason