need help

[squeyk]

I have an 88 Grand Am with the 2.5. Ill try to start the car and it turns over but it wont start. I changed the plugs but didnt start.
From what I have read on here, it sounds like its the coil packs. My question is how do I get to the coil packs to see if there bad?
Do I have to take off intake?

[ramairgt2]

i don't remember for sure what size socket i used to get them off, but you can either reach from the top side of the engine or bottom. but before you take them off....have someone turn the car over while you take one plug wire at a time and hold the boot next to the top of the plug...remember to use a pair of spark plug wire pliers and some gloves. I have been zapped before and its not fun at all. Do this to see if you have any spark at all... There is a number of things that will cause your car not to start such as plugs,wires,coils,crank position sensor, etc etc so start there first and see what that does. Let me know what you find out. Jr

[squeyk]

Thanks. Ill try that today when I get home.

[4kQuad]

you can also pull the plug, rest the side of the plug agenst a metal part of the car for grounding. Have some one turn the key and watch for spark. It will Not spark with every rump of the motor. but it should spark every 6th rump.

If you can get a hold of a timming light, you can save a lot of work.
Put the clip thing over a spark plug wire and turn it over. You should see the timming light flash every time it gets to that wire.
It IS possable for a wire to spark some times and Not spark other times. Move the clip to each wire and check for spark.
If you get spark through every wire, then check to see if the plugs are sparking. If no volts are going through the wires, there's no way a plug can fire.

ANOTHER thought, can you hear the fuel pump when you turn the key past ON to where if you turn it again the starter will kick in.
If the fuel pump is not working it will not start either.

In fact I would start with making sure the fuel pump is working.

I parked my car one day, went out a little later to run to the store. The motor turned over fine, but would not start. I turned the key and listened for the pump, but no hum...Fuel pumps live in the gas tank in GA's. So listen by it if you can't hear it in the car.