got a 97 chevy cavalier 2.2 that won't run. has the basic 3: fuel/spark/compression

only thing I can see weird is the spark is yellow/orange when I assume it should be white/blue. Makes me think the spark is too weak maybe?

what would I check, coils? power to the coils? ground on the coils?

I know I know, cavaliers are girls cars... but the car is for my girl so its not so bad and it was dirt cheap

Thanks guys

 

all 4 four plugs like that or just 1/2, one coil pack could be bad.

 

all 4 are the same

plugs were brand new i was told and they look it, regaped to .060 factory spec

coils and wires look factory 150k ones

injector leads lit up an LED

pulled the fuel reg and got fuel

cranked without plugs and got puffs of fuel out the plug holes

 

sounds like weak coils to me. try new ones and post back.

 

Check compression, could be a broken timing chain.

 

are you being serious right now?

 

Also might want to replace the distributor can and wires while your at it.
It does sound like a weak spark.

 

gap that spark down to .030, try again. if it doesnt go bluer.. weak coil for sure.

 

haha good luck with that.

Try spraying starting fluid down the TB and see if it trys too fire, could be bad gas was the car sitting?

 

Compression was 110-120 on all 4 cyl and it has been sitting for a couple weeks at least. Wouldn't start for the last owner and he just parked it.

Gauge was just about on E, so I threw a couple gallons of gas and a fuel line dryer in the tank the other day

It kicked every once in a while when crankin it with the yellow spark.

Put 2 new coil packs and new plug wires on it yesterday, sparks bright blue now. It kicks more often now like it wants to start but won't.