2004 Sunfire Starter Good But Won't Start

wishkah

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Hi everyone, im new looks like theres a lot of good info on this forum so figured I'd register and see if anyone can help out. Been trying to research this problem for a while now, lots of resources, but nothing seems to be helping after a few weeks of trying to diagnose this.

My starter is good. it has to be. Ive swapped it with one from the junkyard (which was completely dead) then put the original one back in and I'm still getting the crank. sounds like its a brand new starter, but its just not igniting.

I just brought my battery to get charged to full at advanced auto. soon as I popped the battery back in, it sounded sooo close to starting up, like it had ultra juice, but just wont friggen spark up. so, what can this be? ive checked the starter, the battery, all wiring going to and out of the starter, all good no corrosion and good connections. The alternator cant be the problem can it when I just got a perfectly new juiced battery? what is the next step I should take to diagnose this problem? has anyone ever had a problem with the ignition coils on these cars? all my leads to spark plugs look good. just cant get her to spark up.

Any ideas? I really do not want to bring this to the shop I know its gotta be something simple and dont have money to spend at a garage atm..
 
Have you checked if you are getting a spark at the plugs? have you checked if you have fuel pressure?
 
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Haven't checked either all I did was check the HT leads for cracks etc.

how would I go about checking if Im getting spark at the plugs? just take one out while still hooke dup and have someone turn ignition?

also, how to check fuel pressure?
 
attach fuel pressure gauge to valve on fuel rail, turn key to on position, check reading should at least be in the 40's. Search the internet for a coil pack test.
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alright will check them. ty so much for the quick responses!
 
the fuel pressure seems to be ok...

i have no idea what the problem is. ugh this is so frustrating. no one has ever had this problem before?
 
did you search for a coil pack test?
 
you can buy a spark tester so you can do it yourself. go to your local auto part store and ask for a spark tester. or have someone help you turn the key and test for spark using the screw driver method.
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i am having a similar issue with a 2003 sunfire. just got it out of a shop and it was running fine for like 2 days and it sat for a day went out to start it today and it just cranks and cranks no fire... the fuel pump and filter were just replaced and i can hear the fuel pump kickin on when the key is turned but i check to see if there is fuel in the rail and no fuel comes out... what could the problem be?
 
the new pump failed, dirt clogged the new filter, take it back to the shop
 
melsg i did the fuel test wrong. it has to be my fuel pump. is this a hard job? if i can change a starter, would it be easy enough to buy a fuel pump and swap it? or should i just have the garage do it? theyre asking 300.00 clams..
 
you probably have to drop the fuel tank to get to the pump, try to find a manual for your car at a book store or library
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