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Chevrolet Cavalier

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Comments

  • cutehumorcutehumor Member Posts: 137
    I put in a rebuilt oreilly ultima starter for my 96 sunfire today. I had it tested before I left the store and it passed. Well when I put in the starter, the starter doesn't crank at all. I hear a buzzing sound. I think it has something to do with the starter wires connection. I have five wires to hook to the solenoid. Originally the car had three, but I had an ignition recall done and there is an additional two wires. They are all red and black. anyone have a diagram or photo I can look at?
  • chevycav03chevycav03 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2003 Cav and I have the same problem. The bulbs are good and so is the relay. Did you ever find out what the problem was? I would appreciate the help. Thanks
  • chevycav03chevycav03 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2003 Cav and just recently my headlights have not been turning on as well as the daytime running lights. I have checked both headlights and the relay-both are good. The brights work, but the headlights and drl do not. Does anyone have any advice to what the problem may be? I would appreciate the help. Thanks
  • carlene3carlene3 Member Posts: 1
    My car does not have plug wires just a bar where the plugs suppose to be so how do I change my plugs? Please help!!!!
  • alternatoralternator Member Posts: 629
    I have yet to change plugs in my 2005 Cavalier, but sometime in the past I copied this information from somewhere (which is offered with no guarantee)

    "1. Disconnect the battery for safety. Remove the six Allen bolts on the wire cover, then remove the wire cover; this will allow access to the coil packs.

    2. Using a socket, remove the bolts that hold down the coil packs. There should be a total of four bolts, one on each coil pack.

    3. Unplug the coil pack harness from each of the four coil packs. All the coil packs should come out with ease.

    4. With a spark plug socket and an extension, remove the four spark plugs"
  • nooklearwinternooklearwinter Member Posts: 2
    ive recently had my thermostat replaced and my radiator flushed, i have a 2001 cavalier, instead of dex cool they put in the green type of coolant after the flush, but instead of my tempurature staying at 195 (exactly half), it goes up to 3/4 about 230 degrees, is this because of the different coolant (doubtful), the aftermarket thermstat, or the summer heat, it never done this in all these years since ive had the car i am the only owner..a mechanic said it WAS NOT a head gasket problem, i just want it to run like it used to, please help
  • odyjhaodyjha Member Posts: 2
    My dad recently changed the rear wheel assemble on my 1999 Chevy Cavalier and now my ABS light has been coming on and then going off. Is there a sensor that would nee to be be reset because of the change and we would need to unhook the car battery and hope that nothing is really wrong with the ABS? My brakes are wokring...
  • chevytruckin77chevytruckin77 Member Posts: 3
    Hi new here, just bought a 91 cavalier 2.2L auto trans. whenever you take off the speedometer pegs all the way out and the odometer is spinning like your flying down the road????? anything would be much appreciated, the guy i bought it from said it worked fine until he put a new trans in and it done it ever since.. also i cant seem to fine the speedo cable on the trans????
  • bubba38bubba38 Member Posts: 21
    hello, my daughter has a 98 cav recently sprung a leak. appears to be coming from the water pump area about 1/2 gal every 2 days a mechanic told her that a special tool was needed to replace the timing belt or chain (not sure which) can anyone enlighten me?
  • lauriemc64lauriemc64 Member Posts: 4
    I had a 99 cavalier 2.2 liter that was leaking a little for a while, but within a short time I ended up replacing the water pump and it was fine after that. This may or may not be the same for you.
  • lauriemc64lauriemc64 Member Posts: 4
    and on my 99 it was a timing belt
  • bubba38bubba38 Member Posts: 21
    does anyone know about the special tool required
  • gonogogonogo Member Posts: 879
    It has a chain, tool needed to keep cams in time. The pump is driven by the timing chain, so valve timing needs to preserved or bent valves.
    Have it done by some one that has done the job before. It is not a cheap job, the front engine cover needs to come off.
  • jam14jam14 Member Posts: 1
    I am a Camaro person I have two Z-28’s however, I just acquired a 1989 Cavalier the window channels are in bad shape. Is there anyone that still sales replacement window seals for this car?
  • makigrlmakigrl Member Posts: 19
    How do the Caviler and Pontiac Sunfires fair reliability wise? Are there a lot problems with these cars? Is the Caviler or Sunfire any more reliable than a Pontiac Grand Am. It seems like with many of these older GM cars from the 90's and to around 2005 from the reviews I have seen they are not reliable. The cars that were reliable were mostly GM's Midsized and Larger cars. Like all Buick's were reliable, The Grand Prix, Pontiac Bonneville, Chevy Impala, Chevy Monte Carlo, Chevy Lumina, etc. I got the impression with the Caviler it would not be a good car to be in an accident. The bumper looks like it would fall off in a Head on collision. I would get Ford Escort cause its more reliable but I get same feeling as a Caviler. Not a very well built car that is made of plastic and I wouldn't feel very safe in an accident.
  • slackermanslackerman Member Posts: 43
    makigrl,

    I have a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire convertible with a 2.4L engine, 5-speed manual, and 130,000 miles (OK, 129,990. It'll hit 130,000 tomorrow). In my 12 years of ownership (OK, Oct 4th it'll be 12 years) I've had to replace the power window on the drivers side. That was partly my fault for closing the door with the window halfway down. The AC required a major fix and I've had some oil leaks and a few other problems. The most costly was a new top. I'm still on the original clutch (although it's starting to slip and the car has recently developed a hesitation). Does that make the car more or less reliable than the norm? I don't know, but my neighbors have gone through their Japanese cars faster than I've gone through mine.
    Would I buy a used Sunfire/Cav to replace my car? No. Used G5s and Cobalts should be better. But what it comes down to is the old American small cars can hold their own with the imports.
    As far as safety goes, the larger the car, the safer you should be. That's physics, not nationality.
    Good Luck.
  • abrownsonabrownson Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2002 Chevy Cavalier that the Gauges went out on I can't tell how much gas I have, what speed I am going or the milage if anyone know what i need to do to fix the problem I would appreciate the help Thanks.
  • hash1hash1 Member Posts: 3
    sounds like wrong thermistat, go back to dex-cool
  • jackguitarjackguitar Member Posts: 4
    Hello, I have the same problem. Did you find out why you were not getting any fluid or pressure out of the rear lines at the master cylinder?
    Thanks
  • bowler218bowler218 Member Posts: 1
    did you ever find out the problem
  • pc8051pc8051 Member Posts: 4
    I know exactly what your problem is. The ground wire for the low beams is either corroding...or completely corroded off. Take off the passenger side head light assembly. Follow the wiring harness down from the head light bulb till it meets with the main wiring harness. Keep following the harness in the direct towards the drivers side. Can't remember if the main head light bulb wires are the last to join the main harness or if there is one more in between but at the last joint measure 17 cm towards the drivers side. Mark that point. With a sharp exacto knife cut into the wiring harness very carefully. As you are doing this, don't be surprised when you see green powder coming out. If you do..then that is definitely where your problem lies. There is a splice in the wiring harness at that point. It corrodes and eventually the wire breaks. Solder in a new piece and re-rap with good electrical tape. All will be well again. How do I know this....It's a very common problem. I have had to fix mine twice. Its easy to do...less than an hours work. Good luck
  • rlp50rlp50 Member Posts: 13
    2000 Chev Venture - Dash lights and daytime running lights stopped working but every now and then they will come on for a short while. Any thoughts?
    Thanks
  • jbleekjbleek Member Posts: 2
    All 2003 and 2004 cavaliers' original hubcaps had a fit problem taht made them squeak incessantly. You need to just replace them, GM has a "fix" that doesnt fix the problem. It was a recall item a few years back, that was basically a rubber spacer that goes behind the hubcaps.
    I'm sure that is your problem, chekc it out by jabbing/shaking the hubcaps in/out with your hand and find the source of the sound.
  • caynacayna Member Posts: 1
    My brother gave me an 85 chevy cavalier wagon and I'm getting it fixed to be road safe. It has 4 new tires he put on it but they a very small 155/13 I believe or something like that, hey what do I know! My question is, are these tires ok to keep on the car or should I buy the right size and what size would that be? I know this is a lame question, but I truly don't have a clue. Thanks!
  • mika8712mika8712 Member Posts: 1
    I had my cat replaced in my 2005 cavalier about 6 monthes ago. It recently started throwing a P0420 code, only when it rains. I've checked the O2 sensors and all other related items. Everything is working fine and my mileage is great. I'm thinking the CAT is defective but if that is the case it would trip the CEL regardless of the weather conditions. I've seen there could be a TSB regarding reflashing the PCM to change the parameters of the tests. Any help?
  • flintstonefoxflintstonefox Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone know where I can purchase parts for an '89 Z24? Specifically I am in search of a used door that still has the glass run channel in tact. I am located in GA but can travel or call to order this specific part.

    Desperate to have my driver's window roll down without coming off track.

    Thanks,
  • jeff3015usajeff3015usa Member Posts: 2
    my book on the 1989 cavalier says terminal =A on the ignition module is for the tech my book also says it is a white wire
  • jeff3015usajeff3015usa Member Posts: 2
    got google and put in used door for Cavalier Z24 '89 and see what happen you will be supprized also try images and then web
  • crystal16crystal16 Member Posts: 1
    Did you ever complain about the paint?.If so, what did they tell you? I have a 2003 and the paint is completely wasted now. It started just after the 3 third year.
  • jdewolfejdewolfe Member Posts: 1
    i have a 1997 cavalier with a 2.2 in it. It has a rod knock so I am swapping engines but I want to know what 2.2's from other cars and what years will fit in it???? I'm trying to avoid more cavalier engines because everyone says they have a lot of problems with them.
  • jim345jim345 Member Posts: 1
    hi, i have a 1989 cavalier z24, 2.8l FI multi port. a few months ago it started to start hard, and would want to die after warming up. it finally stopped starting, it sat for a while and one day i went to try to start it and it fired. it would idle fine, but as soon as i touched the gas, it would want to kill right away. i replaced the fuel pump and filter. i ran ok for about 5 miles after replacing, then the symptoms returned. since then i have replaced the ignition control module,and all the coil packs. it ran good, so i drove it from my shop to my house(8 miles) and around town for a while. it sat over night, and i went to start this mornin, and it started hard, and idles a little rough, and cant rev without killing, but will idle. I was thinking that the icm, and coil packs could have gone bad again, but dont know if it could happen over night.

    I am stumped, any help? thanks!!
  • alternatoralternator Member Posts: 629
    With age, the black exterior door handles on my 2005 Cavalier have a dull, mottled, half-grey, half-black look.

    Can anyone suggest how I might brighten up the looks of these?
  • slackermanslackerman Member Posts: 43
    Try "Back to Black". It use to be called Black Chrome.
  • wolfgang4999wolfgang4999 Member Posts: 1
    Can anyone please tell me what would cause my 1999 cheverolet cavalier to start missing and jumping severely when it reaches 45-50 mph? It runs GREAT untill you reach that speed then all heck breaks loose. if you mash down hard on the gas it will smooth out untill you reach the acceleration point or let off the gas and then it starts doing it again. But if you get back down under 50 it runs great!
  • alternatoralternator Member Posts: 629
    In checking on "Back to Black" I came up with this supposedly superior product

    http://www.canadiandriver.com/2007/07/05/product-review-forever-black.htm

    However, they have no dealer in Indiana where I live. I may order some via Amazon

    Thanks for your tip slackerman
  • alternatoralternator Member Posts: 629
    Yesterday the speedometer on my 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier (with less than 20,000 miles) started reading much higher than my actual speed. The odometer and other gages continued to read normally.

    All day the readings got higher and eventually went over 110 mph even when setting still.

    Now it fluctuates between 75 mph and over 110 mph, mostly reading over 110 mph.

    What is most likely to be the problem ?
  • asidrowasidrow Member Posts: 1
    I;m looking for the right front turn signal assembly plus the right fender to the above car. Anyone know where I can pick these up, please let me know. asidrow. Color is silver 4/7/2010. I;m trying to help a 21 year old w/child who;s barely making it
  • ryakisryakis Member Posts: 2
    well just try to go to an after market place all you do go in wait in line tell them the two parts (which are very popular) and then you pay thats all installing you have to get that your self i changed my both fender and signal light i just paid some to do it hope this help. this is a cheap way if you dont want original if you do it will be a lot more. for after market 60 buck about bye
  • ryakisryakis Member Posts: 2
    well i have i 2000 chevy cavalier. its a great car on fuel economy and power but now i want to see whats its made of. Going to be doing a lot of modifications. ill let you know my progress. so far Ive done intake runs better and maintenance a lot every day. thats all catch you guys later.
  • apcavapcav Member Posts: 3
    Can anyone tell me what size socket it takes to remove the spindle nut off the cv halfshaft on a 97 cavalier with 4 speed automatic transmission and 2.4 engine?
  • kuri2k6kuri2k6 Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2010
    about a week ago I had a battery so bad in my 96 cavalier that it was leaking acid and corroded the bottom negative cable (that was connected to the battery tray)

    After getting a brand new battery and connecting a new negative battery cable everything seems to be working except when I go to drive, the ABS/Brake lights come on and I hear a ticking noise and the stereo just flashes. When I remove the Abs fuse, everything is fine.

    I'm thinking the system just has to reset itself, but I'm not sure. On the positive battery cables I cleaned off the corrosion with a wire brush and STILL get the ticking noise....can anyone help?
  • chevy_maniacchevy_maniac Member Posts: 2
    Hi all, i live in Dubai the hottest country in the region , I Own a 2001 Chevy Cavalier in dubai ...the weather here is too hot for an american car especially when its 4 cylendrs , however, its runing properly , i have the TC and the Check Ngine lights ON ... the car is making me feel cold in the summer despite of having the Climate controler on the full power am not feeling hot so i think tht its fair for a black old car , the car's electrical system is a bit poor and it has lack to reliablity but overall its way better dodge neon !!

    anybn questions abt anything abt the cavalier just let me knw
  • chevy_maniacchevy_maniac Member Posts: 2
    just above the battery there is a fuse box , however . seek it in the engine once u find it , remove the positive cable cord of the battery , take off the fuses one by one , clean the metal spins of the fuses it self with adding some pure gasoline on a textile and rubbing it gently after that shine it and clean it with a dry cotton textile as well , do this to each fuse u got including the big square black ones , now open the door of the driver u will see a fuse box at the side , do the same to these as well .

    if the problem resist i would belive that the wiring of the battery which goes to the DINAMO/Generator has got a short-shock and im sure that if u will not fix it any soon u will have the problem bigger , it will coast u like around 100 Dollars to change the wires and/Or to re-arrange them at a very proffisional W.Shop
  • ctbigman04ctbigman04 Member Posts: 1
    So i have a 97 cavalier 2.2L 5spd. I recently had to replace the clutch. What started happening was the clutch pedal was sticking a bit and the shifter was difficult to well shift. It was very hard to shift, and at one point it was impossible. thats when the pedal stuck and did not come back up. Now i was advised to replace the clutch which is what i did but it still will not shift. It seems to be stuck in first and second and will not even go into neutral. I am not really sure what else it could be... I thought it was the clutch cables but i was not sure because then i was told that there weren't any. But that was from somone in another forum. I don't know what the problem is! Anyone have ANY ideas????????
  • tin_lizzytin_lizzy Member Posts: 1
    Could use some advice if possible.

    I have a 94 Chev Cavalier with 110,000 kms (68,000 miles)

    'New' rad, brakes, muffler etc but has been sitting on driveway for a year.

    I wanted to fix it up for my son, but wondered if there may be major problems after sitting for so long.

    Would it would be worth it for him to put effort into renovating it? I saw that 94 was a good year for this model. Is that correct?

    It has always been quite reliable.
  • slackermanslackerman Member Posts: 43
    When I start my 1996 Sunfire convertible when it's cold (2.4L, manual transmission, 152000 miles), my Check Oil light stays on. If I turn the car off and back on, or if the car is warm, the light does not stay on. I had a sensor (Sorry, can't be more specific) replaced without any effect. Any ideas on a fix? BTW, there's oil and an OEM filter.

    Thanks for looking into this.
  • prizmgurlprizmgurl Member Posts: 21

    The Prizm is a rebadged Corolla.

    My thoughts exactly.
  • prizmgurlprizmgurl Member Posts: 21
    matto2000 said:

    Matty, please listen to my warning before buying that Cavalier.
    Nearly three years ago, I celebrated my 16th birthday and used my life savings (at the time) to buy my first car, a brand new 1998 cavalier. That may very well have been the worst decision I ever made.
    Within the car's first 4,000 miles, it contracted a very annoying and rather dangerous stalling problem, and just to clarify it's an automatic. Though GM claimed to have fixed the problem, it continued on and off for the next two years. Finally, the whole thing culminated when I was driving home from my college orientation last June. The car not only stalled but died on me in Columbus, OH (about an hour and half drive from my house in Dayton). After having to drive home in a rental car, yet again, and then having to drive an hour and a half back, I was informed the car's entire computer was replaced, in addition to a plethora of other things.
    The stalling problem was not, however, an isolated thing. Other repairs included the muffler, the gaskets, the seatbelts, two recalls, and the radio (twice). I don't believe I'm leaving anything out, but it's difficult to keep track of them all.
    While my Cavalier was a particularly bad one (I can't imagine you'd have that kind of trouble), it's indicative of the type of car the Cavalier is. Every friend I have who owns the 1995- redesigned Cavalier has had some sort of serious problem with their car. The car, for the most part, just isn't reliable. Granted, the car is cute, it lacks substance and build quality. And it doesn't drive badly, but other cars in its class drive much better. If you want to stick with Chevy, check out the Prism, it's not as cute, but a much better driving and more reliable car.
    As for my Cavalier, I traded it in after the last incident, I had had enough and GM was unwilling to even acknowledge the problems. So towards the end of June, I traded in the Cavalier and bought a 2000 Mazda Protege. I couldn't be happier. The car drives very very well and has a nice solid feel to it, as well. I couldn't believe the difference between it and my Cavalier.
    Take it from someone who was your age not too long ago, spend your last few years in high school having fun, not in the repair shop.

    -Matt

    My mom has a Chevy Prizm and we think Miss Bluebell (car namer family) IS cute.
  • prizmgurlprizmgurl Member Posts: 21
    amram76 said:

    Hi all! I am new to this forum and this is my first post. but i have been reading the other posts since a couple of weeks and are they helpful or what!! i have a 99 chevy cavalier.
    4-dr Sedan automatic with the 2.4L engine. i bought it a couple of months ago with 27000 miles on it. since 3 weeks or ago or so i am hearing a strange knocking noise under the hood it occurs when i go at low speeds on uneven roads or soemtimes when making sharp turns. i am sure something is loose down there which makes that sound when it gets shaken in some particular way since the sound is not there always. i took it
    to the dealer since its still under warranty but he couldn't find anything. A friend of mine says that sometime the engine becomes loose on its mounts or something like that(he owns a metro prism). i am not sure whether that might be the problem or not. Have any of you heard of a similar problem. please help me out with this one. that noise is driving me nuts. thanks

    Which is/was it? A Metro or Prizm? Both were Geo until '98, I think. A Metro sedan "looks kind of like a baby Prizm" my dad said when I was elementary age. And for the record, I got to know Prizm better than Cavalier. I learned to drive on a Chevy Prizm, but we had rental Cavaliers.
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