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Chevrolet Cavalier Starting/Stalling Problems

135

Comments

  • mckeesliamckeeslia Member Posts: 7
    WOW Zero cost!, an like you said it acts up when it rain. Sounds right, why rain, water act up electrical, the mechanic was brillent! You lucked out!
  • mckeesliamckeeslia Member Posts: 7
  • mckeesliamckeeslia Member Posts: 7
    Well let me see, i drove out to my sister's an i stop in front of her house an car was going to shut off an i shut if off cause it did not shut off except i got it to stop from shuten off! This guy came outside out of his apartment an said it sounds as if you are out of oil, O MY GOD! OIL!!! how can this be no oil leaks, just had 3 months ago oil change, so whats up! Well it had to be where i got the tranny put in, or where they put a new fuel pump an tune up in, one of them took it out an never put it back in! Had too oil, just dont dissapear! Well car has not shut off since Fri afternoon, soooooooo well see!

    mckeeslia
  • mckeesliamckeeslia Member Posts: 7
    Hi there, get your ac compressure disconnect, its will take care of problem, u wont have ac an u will have all other stuff.

    mckeeslia
    gd luck

    its should be a 2min job, take it to your usually mehicanic, an he should do it for 5 bucks or free ;)
  • carmanghiacarmanghia Member Posts: 4
    I'm new to this forum, but if you haven't yet resolved this problem, check for a short in the AC wiring harness... ( a harness going from compressor to engine harness connection). I had a 2002 Cavalier / Auto trans that had this problem and when AC was turned on the RPM's would go wildly out of control. Good Luck.
  • hash1hash1 Member Posts: 3
    I found the elect. harness resting on a threaded bolt causing the insulation to wear off. the harness is located just below the air filter duct on the engine compartment fender wall of the drivers side. lifting the harness's in the general area will expose the problem area. I wrapped the harness with tape and put a protective cover of cork over the bolt(gasket material). fix works well and I am sure it will prevent serious electrical problems later on.
  • ktscarlett1982ktscarlett1982 Member Posts: 3
    Have you checked the mass air flow sensor?
    also I would look into a tune up, my 98 cavalier has 156,000 and I just did a tune up on it due to mileage.
  • ktscarlett1982ktscarlett1982 Member Posts: 3
    I have a 98. Mine stalls every once in awhile too when I go to pull out, I find if I give it gas right away it doesn't happen. It has been doing this for as long as I can remember. I have 156,000 on it and my ABS front right wheel sensor has been out since about 75,000 miles. If I don't turn my wheel to the right real quick and sharp and click the ABS light on then it might jerk/make a metal like sound when I am stopping from a slow speed. But if the ABS light is on then it doesn't do this.
  • barbiegirl3barbiegirl3 Member Posts: 2
    So, I took the car (Automatic 03 Caval) to the store, shopped for a while, and went home. No problems. No warning signs. It all went fine. A couple hours later, my husband got in the car to go to work and although all the lights and everything seemed to work, the starter only gave out a "whirring" sound...as if it wasn't engaging. So, we pulled out the starter, had it tested. The exact words of the Checker Auto employee was "fried." So we bought a new starter and installed it. Same thing. Electrical items all turned on, check engine and seat belt lights glow, fuel pump started, but starter only "whirred." So we took the starter back to Checker and had that one tested too. They said it was fine. I looked all over online, can't find anything for these symptoms except "starter is bad." Can't afford the over-priced dealer right now! Help! I have seen posts referring to similar but different issues on manual transmissions saying maybe there is a bad wire from the battery to the starter. Also, maybe bad battery or alternator? But that doesn't seem to make sense if the electrical equipment seems to work fine. We're stumped. HELP!!
  • ktscarlett1982ktscarlett1982 Member Posts: 3
    it's not your alternator. If it were then your lights would be fading, radio fading ect....also when my alternator went out my charging system light came on and wouldn't go off till the alternator was changed. When my starter went out on my 98 at about 136,000 miles it just made a clicking sound, not a whirring sound.
    Have you checked the wires around the battery, sometimes things can get loose or get corroded.
  • guitarsssguitarsss Member Posts: 3
    in a nutshell...timing tensioner was non existent, replaced timing set, tensioner, car ran but poorly..lacked power..compression check revealed 4 bent int valve/1 exh valve..all new valve, resurfaced, rechecked timing marks..runs 'ok' when cold, stalls out when warm or making turns. all vacuum lines intact, cat was broken, eliminated that (95 pre obdII) still runs bad. Codes 66, 55 points at ecm, 32 egr fault, put on a known GOOD egr valve, reset codes, still no difference. Have not checked fuel press yet, engine only pulls 15 in vacuum (they say should be 18)..could it be 1 tooth off on cam? even thought I aligned marks and used dial indicator for tdc? Tearing my hair out(what left) any help..appreciated. Charging system is fine also...I've pretty much left no stone unturned..help!
  • guitarsssguitarsss Member Posts: 3
    does the car turn over? or just do nothing? if it turns over but no completion of start cycle, may have fusible link or ground problem..can;t stress enough on clear connections..take em all loose, clean em all up..battery have 12.5 volts or above?
  • barbiegirl3barbiegirl3 Member Posts: 2
    No, it won't turn over. The starter doesn't seem to engage at all. Just "whirrs". We think it is a lower voltage battery, but it is whatever the factory default was in the standard 03 cavalier...only upgrades are cd player and power windows...if those can be counted as upgrades...
  • SaW_NEMESISSaW_NEMESIS Member Posts: 1
    You might consider taking the car to a Dealer and do a eng. Diag. Chances are that is the ECM. The main computer of the car. DO NOT take to a shop for the diag. Go to the dealer. If it is the ECM. Make sure you get the part at a autopart store. It will be cheaper. Then look for the ECM front passanger side where the splash guard is at. You will need to remove the ECM and give the number to the dealer to flash it. After all this is set and done you car should run better. But get the diag done before doing all this . GOOD LUCK
  • guitarsssguitarsss Member Posts: 3
    Hey...great call...On Sunday I took the ecm out, of course brakcet was rusted away, redrilled new holes, and chekd pin plugs for corrosion, nice and clean ecm is a reman delco remy ..no start..after banging on the ecm, car started, tells me its got a loose board or internal issue. Swapped in a friends ecm( same #) (narrow fitment 95 cav/sunfire w/2.2 or 95 sunfire2.3sohc manual trans only) and it works..also found a bad pigtail on cts, replaced that. hopefully this issue is cured. thanks
  • robnang1robnang1 Member Posts: 1
    changed leaking fuel injector, afterwards, car would not fire, we have never had any engine troubles with this car - we have changed one other leaking fuel injector, anyway after changing injector, car would not turn over, had it towed home took the spark plugs out and the cylinders 1and 3 were FULL of gas any ideas???? :(
  • tonysrsrtonysrsr Member Posts: 1
    Aftre car gets to temp. car will stall out when stopped in gear. Replaced idle air control, crank control, and car still does it. What can it be, any ideals
  • werawera Member Posts: 1
    Im a new manual driving, I drove an automatic for years but its only been a week with my 2001 standard cavalier. It was cold this morning, I had the car in neutral and the clutch down and turned the key; and nothing. the car didnt make any sounds or even attempt to start. The 5th time I turned the key the car started no problem!
    I left work 9 hours later and same thing happened, when I turned the key the 3rd time the car started without struggling :confuse: <img src=".
    Could this be spark plugs or something? I have no idea whats going on.
    Help
  • apcavapcav Member Posts: 3
    I probably made a big mistake a couple weeks and bought a 97 cavalier convertible that won't start. I'm not a professional mechanic but have been working on cars for 30+ years and can usually figure out what the problem is.
    I have no codes because the previous owner put a new battery in it thinking that might be the problem. The engine cranks fine. I have done various tests on it and I have no spark. I have 12 volts from the key to the module with the key on and I have 12 volts to the positive prong of the module to coil pack connector with the key on. I do not get a voltage pulse on either of the negative prongs of the module to coil connector when I test with the engine cranking. I replaced the module, no change. I had old and new module bench tested and they both tested good. I put the original back on and the parts place was gracious enough to refund the $150 I spent on the module. I replaced the crankshaft position sensor. no change. I tested the camshaft position sensor and the wire that goes to the computer is supposed to have full voltage when the cam lobe is at the sensor and no voltage or much lower voltage when the cam lobe is away from the sensor. I have full voltage all the time. At this point I suspected maybe a broken timing chain and the cam's not turning. I took the sensor out and cranked the engine and the cam is turning fine. I bought a new cam position sensor. No change. I still have full voltage no matter what position the cam is in. I do not want to spend the money it would take to have the car put on a scanner at a dealer. It has 177,000 miles on it. Right now I have $500 in it and am about ready to throw in the towel. Does anyone reading this have any ideas that I haven't covered?
    Thank You.
  • lena67060lena67060 Member Posts: 1
    We had a problem like that took it in four times to get it fixed cause it would die from the belt breaking. If the alternator is not lined up perfect it will cause the car to die and choke light to come off. Take the alternator completely off make sure the bolt in the front, under the alternator that holds the bracket tight and straight is tight and go from there. Good luck we found that after I got sick of taking that car in to get it fixed we just started over and took it all off. I can tell you that belt will cause the car not to start and also die.
  • tlbeardtlbeard Member Posts: 1
    Replaced fuel injector on a 1995 Cavalier 2.2 motor. Now car acts like it wants to start, but doesn't. Any suggestions?
  • cavownercavowner Member Posts: 1
    I had the same problem with my car we discovered the catalytic converter was stopped up once we changed that car runs fine
  • show_me_navajoshow_me_navajo Member Posts: 15
    we have a 99 cavalier that cuts out and starts shaking at 1/4 throttle. it won't do this until it reaches normal engine temp. then stalls when you come to a stop. new fuel pump,new TPS,new MAP,new O2 sensor,new coil packs and ignition mod,new plugs,new wires. new crank sensor. won't stall or cut out in reverse. pulled O2 sensor and ran engine to make sure no exhaust restrictions. :sick:
  • bob263bob263 Member Posts: 1
    hi i have a 1994 cavalier and it has 180,000 miles and the engine was missing and so i took it to get it fixed and he said it had a burnt valve and he fix it and we got it back and it would not start and we took it back and they said the starter was bad so they replaced it and the car will start but now it still missing but worse at idle and while driving and the engine is knocking in it and the oil light came on so i checked the oil and it was full the oil light comes on only at idle speed but i don't know if its the sending unit went bad or the oil pump and i think the rod baring is going bad to, the engine don't tap it knocks its been knocking for about a week now i put new plugs and new wires and new o2 sensor on it. so if any body could give me any pointers that would be great :sick:
  • show_me_navajoshow_me_navajo Member Posts: 15
    it could be a rod knocking. if you want to check it out, drain the oil and pull the oil pan off the engine. you will expose the rods.with the pan off use a 18 mm wrench on the end of the crank to turn it back and forth. if you have a problem with a rod you may see it. your local auto parts store also sells plasta gauge.you can use this to check for excessive oil clearance. they can tell you how to use it. good luck i hope this helps
  • show_me_navajoshow_me_navajo Member Posts: 15
    after all the minor problems of the car were fixed we could only get it to stall in drive. :sick: it never would stall in reverse. :surprise: unplugging the tcc solenoid didn't solve the problem. :sick: we changed the tcc solenoid and the car runs great. :) no more stalling,no more shuddering, no more shaking :)
  • fundifundi Member Posts: 1
    my 99 Cavalier has been running fine. Drove 3 miles, stopped and when I returned there was no action at starter. Battery is good and I cleaned terminals. Jumped starter at solenoid with key on and it turned over but died when i released. I replaced start relay on cross member over radiator. still no good. Had what looks like a cheap alarm hooked to oil sensor which had like a phone cord into the passenger compartment I disconnected the whole mess but still no start. You can hear fuel pump when key turned to run and radio dies out when you turn to start but no other action. Any ideas?
  • staceymstaceym Member Posts: 1
    Every time my 95 cav gets to 1/4 tank of gas it starts to stall. If I ride the brake and gas at same time I can keep driving (pain in the butt). I know that there is fuel in the tank (about 10L). once I put in more fuel I can get it started but will still stall until I drive for about 10 or 15 minutes, then all is fine.
    I recently replaced the head gasket. Any ideas.

    Also I replaced my thermostat and know my temp gage reads a lot higher than it use too. :mad:
  • concreteman1concreteman1 Member Posts: 11
    bought the 99 cav for my daughter test drove ran great . has 144,000 on it . been stalling out at stop lights .cleaned fuel filter, seem like it a fuel problem,any help will do to make it better :P :P
  • show_me_navajoshow_me_navajo Member Posts: 15
    ;) i had the same problem with a 99 caviler. after we spent a lot of time and money it was just the tcc solenoid. the part is cheap and easy to fix. don't just unplug it. that wouldn't fix our problem. it had to be replaced. ;)
  • concreteman1concreteman1 Member Posts: 11
    thanks, show me navajo. drop the car off at my buddy the mechanic he said, he put his code machine on it , came back that it was the tranny solenoid was stuck on the on postion, is this the same as the tcc solenoid . im no mechanic but i drove it home which it took me about 1 hour . drove pretty good, hope this is the last time i take it to my buddy. ">link title :confuse:
  • rainbowcavrainbowcav Member Posts: 1
    I had a similar problem with my 94 pontiac. Exact issue to a T, one day it actually just stalled and would not start. Thought it was alternator because serpintine belt wasn't moving, but when we took off belt the car started. Turns out it was the AC motor (I think that's what it was), basically it totally went out and was preventing the belt from turning...
  • concreteman1concreteman1 Member Posts: 11
    first off i want to thank, SHOW ME NAVAJO :) for saving me a lot of money , my buddy put the new tcc in yesterday this little cav is running great tranny is shifting good, it cost me about $ 400.00 parts and labor if any body is having troubles with cav stalling at lights . check the tcc solenoid it will save you a lot of head aches. and get your car going on the road ;)
  • mudvayne1985mudvayne1985 Member Posts: 2
    I have a problem with my cavalier starting.at first it did it once every few months....but tonight it does it everytime i go to start my car.i would turn the key and it would do nothing.i have power to everything.its like its not sending the power to the starter.it will start again after awhile of turning key on and off.tonight tho i took the key out and shook the ignition and when i put the key in it started.i have no idea what it could be...anyone got any idea?
  • hash1hash1 Member Posts: 3
    hi Mud, first have a new key made, secondly its either the starter or the ignition switch that is bad. good luck.
  • msforresmsforres Member Posts: 1
    I have the same or similar problem. At first it would take a couple turns to start. The other night it took a good 20 tries. Opening the hood-- it smells like gasoline and gas mileage seems worse. I was told it's the fuel pressure regulator (it looks wet after I've been trying to start). My friend found a hose around that area that was cracked/smoking and rigged it up a bit better... then it started. I'm going tomorrow (if the cavy starts) to get it checked, but judging on previous incidents, my first solution is never right. All I know is I'm sick of this piece having a new problem every month! :lemon: Any help is appreciated :)
  • mudvayne1985mudvayne1985 Member Posts: 2
    so not only am i having the problem i listed before but now my car dont start at all.sometimes when i go to start it all it does is click and sometimes it turns over but wont start and i have no idea what it is
  • show_me_navajoshow_me_navajo Member Posts: 15
    i always try the cheap and easy stuff first. battery connections at the battery can seem clean and be trashed. next check the positive wire going to the starter and make sure it is tight. the wire running from the alternator needs to be tight also. if these things are ok the next time it gives you trouble try tapping the starter lightly with a hammer from the underside of the car
  • mark311mark311 Member Posts: 1
    my 1994 chevy cavalier stalls after driving around for a bit when i stop at red lights or stop signs or slow down.

    i'm sure that's what it is with my car too show_me_navajo. i took my car to a chevrolet dealership and they said it was an easy fix and they said they just had to unplug something and all was well. Turns out that it worked. I've recently had my car worked on due to overheating issues and i think the mechanic i took it to might have plugged that piece back in. do you have any idea how i could recognize that piece on a 1994 cavalier? i read that it's a blue plug but i don't know how many wires it has or where exactly it is connected. i would really appreciate anybody's help on how to locate the tcc solenoid or mainly the plug that is connected to the transmission that needs to be pulled.
  • jmart16jmart16 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 97 cavalier Z24, automatic, and when I try to start it, once every 5 times or so, it does nothing at all. It doesn't even try to roll over, it makes a sound like as if it were already started and I were trying to start it again. It only does this in spurts, chances are I need a new starter but if it is something else perhaps, seeing as how this only happens sometimes, I'd like to know.
  • ronlee34ronlee34 Member Posts: 2
    I have had so many parts replaced on my cavalie rand now it will start and when i tdrive or reverse it will go dead and wont start Can anyone help me with this.
  • ronlee34ronlee34 Member Posts: 2
    I have had so many parts replaced on my 1987 cavalier, It will start and when i put it in drive or reverse it dies and wont start, but will in park.Can anyone help me in this.
  • brianmac2brianmac2 Member Posts: 9
    Hi,
    I'm in New Zealand, where we have a lot of Toyota badged RHD Chevy Cavaliers. On my '96 2.4 ltr, for a few weeks when I turned the key on, the gages all flickered and it made a static type sound. I had to turn the key on and off until it worked normally and then it went fine. Now thats stopped, but the engine check light only comes on about every 10th time I turn the key, and there's no way it'll run until that light comes up. Once it does, it starts and runs and idles fine. Looks from other replies that its emissions system related, but is any particular sensor likely to be the culprit. Our GM dealers don't want to know about these cars, nor do Toyota dealers, so I'm not sure we can even run the diagnostics.
  • show_me_navajoshow_me_navajo Member Posts: 15
    :) is your cavalier an automatic trans? if so the tcc solenoid could be the problem. the solenoid can be disconnected on some cars. it is a 4 wire plug on the front of the trans. unplug it and try the car. let me know what happens :)
  • brianmac2brianmac2 Member Posts: 9
    Hi, thanks, yep, all the cavs in NZ are 2.4 4stage auto models. I'll try what you suggest tomorrow and let you know,
  • 1998lincoln1998lincoln Member Posts: 108
    Just something to look at, "fuel pressure regulator" !
  • 1998lincoln1998lincoln Member Posts: 108
    Also , check the TCC "torque converter solenoid", these go bad and will cause the engine to stall. If you get your car started, put it in reverse and see if it stalls out, if not, probably the TCC is bad !
  • bradmcmullenbradmcmullen Member Posts: 1
    Ok,i have a 1993 cavalier and after it would warm up it would stall while driving then it was really hard to get it started again. I replaced alot of things from the fule pump to the coil packs,still nothing worked. Just today my mother went out and played around with it and thought the butterfly flap might be getting stuck to the intake. Then i went out to help her and was looking around and found out that my kick down cable was really tight. so,we took off the kick down cable from the throttle and its running great! Befor you go out and buy all kinds of parts to try and fix this pain in the [non-permissible content removed] problem,try taking off the kick down cable that is located on the throttel,the same spot where the gas pedal cable is. IT WORKD GREAT FOR ME. I hope i helped some of you. I know how much of a pain this is.
  • dandak1dandak1 Member Posts: 1
    I had this same problem. Started with cranking problems then became intermittent stalling when driving. Took it to my mechanic who refused to do any work until he could be certain of the problem. Well, he finally replicated the problem and it was a short in the ignition switch. Got it fixed and haven't had any problems since.
  • cavalier_grlcavalier_grl Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2010
    I have a 1996 chevy cavalier (2.2L / manual) and for the past couple of days my car keeps chugging and stalling out. When the car is about to die, i put it into neutral and try to reve the engine but it acts like it isnt getting any gas and dies anyway. It only does it once the engine is warm. If I let the car sit for a little bit, it starts right back up and is fine until it gets warm again.I have replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump, and fuel injector regulator. I am at my wits end and dont know what it could be...Please HELP!!! :cry:
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