I was informed by a well known breakdown & recovery service that the reason my cavalier wouldn't start was because of a faulty distributer cap & rotor arm, i replaced them with no joy. After a second call out i was informed that it was my coil, which i also replaced and yet again it wouldn't start. The motor turns over fine but just won't fire. I would be very greatful for any suggestions, thanks Steve

Stephen Turner, January 2010

Hi Jim, i eventually got a garage to look at the car and within an hour they informed me that the cam belt had broke which would of broke valves and bet rods,I am unsure weather they could know this without checking ?? they also informed me it would cost £500+ to fix or i could buy a second hand engine, for this info they charged me £52 tut tut.
I am now going to scrap it, which is a great shame as it has been a really good car for the past 6 years.
Thanks for your help anyway.

Steve, January 2010

Hi Jim, thanks for your reply, i don't have a spark, i have been informed that it could be the ignition amplifier module which has been a problem with cavaliers, what do you think ? this is becoming very expensive and will be my fourth part.
Coil,Distributer cap,Rotor arm and now possibly a
amplifier module

Stephen Turner, January 2010

ignition module!!

jim, January 2010

I had one of these and the timing was out ever so slightly similar issue. Did you put the leads back the right way round as well.

First thing first though check your getting a spark?Take a plug out and put it in the HT cap and then rest the end of the plug on the metal engine, earthing it. Get someone to help and see if plug sparks. Do this to each plug, should be nice and bright and blue.
No spark is
Plugs
Caps
Leads
Coil (already changed so this is ok)
And then cap etc..
If it is sparking then its probabaly the timing or similar.
Post back how you get on

bb, January 2010