1990 Chev Cavalier - F/Inj or Carb? Starting method?

Question

Okay, obvious poor auto knowledge aside, I am trying to learn about cars...

I have a 1990 chev cavalier. It has the round air filter on top of the engine and I take it off and it looks like a carb, but I am not sure. Could it be some sort of injection? Here is my issue - it is a hard starter. It cranks four or five times before it fires up and it takes even longer now that it is getting cold. I am wondering if I should be pumping the pedal a couple times or not.

Answer 1

You should have mentioned what model/engine size. I'll take a guess and say you have the 2.2L 4 cylinder. If that's the case, you are looking at a throttle body, not a carburetor, since the 90 Cavaliers had TBI units. You should see injector "pods" in the throttle body.



A hard start can be caused by a number of problems. First off - when's the last time this car has had a tune up? Crudded up plugs, bad wires, cracked/worn cap/rotor in the distributor, clogged air filter - all of these things can cause a cold start problem, even if the engine runs decently warmed up. I'd go through that first, as well as checking the condition of the battery terminals/ground - resistance on the electrical side can make it more difficult to start as well.



Next could be the possibility that the injector(s) in your TBI unit are leaking down - if the fuel pressure is insufficient due to a leak, you can get a hard start condition until the injectors are fully pressurized and firing properly. Try this - the next morning, turn the key to "run" wait 3-5 seconds, then try turning the engine over. If it starts a little bit faster, you have a fuel pressure issue, most likely because of a leaking regulator or injector.



To answer your question - no, you shouldn't be pumping your gas pedal - a TBI unit should fire up just like any other fuel injection system.

Answer 2

FYI, holding the pedal to the floor when trying to start in GM injection puts the vehicle into something called "Clear flood mode". This is designed to STOP the injectors from firing when for whatever reason, the engine has become flooded.



As you can imagine, pumping the pedal is therefore the worst thing you can do to try and get a hard starting fuel injected GM, started.



Could be things like lazy injectors (old), poor tune, or something like the temp sender for the ECM not working quite right. Get a scanner on it after making sure plugs/wires/cap/rotor are all in good shape, and all vacuum hoses are connected and also in excellent shape. Vacuum leak will make hard starting reality. Scanner will at least tell you what the MAP is seeing for pressure inside the intake, and whether its low (from a leak) as well as how accurate the ECM temp sender is compared to ambient temp when the engine is cold.

Answer 3

Cavalier 1990

Answer 4

hi, i have 1991 chevy cavalier with the same round air filter on top. Mine always start at second time when i turn the ignition, i have owend for 4 years and is a really good car, it runs very good.

and is ok, to pump the peddle, it wont hurt anything. I do it sometimes.it is fuel injection. good luck.

Answer 5

Definately sounds electronical. Check the terminal connections on the battery. Make sure the ground is connected securely to the chassis. While trying to jump the car, totally disconnect the cars battery and only use the power from the jumping car. Although you might not be able to start the car, you should get dash lights at the very least.