Head Light Problem

To solve these sort of problem one could sell the car and buy one that does not have this problem.

This also works for cars that do not start.

But then why complain about headlights if it does not start to begin with?

First of all the headlights and the engine starter are not a major problem. All I'm thinking I need for the engine is a new engine starter. I don't know if you ever figured out price differences. It would be just a little bit cheaper to fix an engine starter and get the headlight fixed than to get a new car. Plus I've has this car for a long time and I treat it great. If I got a new car, I wouldn't know how good the engine is or how the old owners treated the vehicle.

You are just at the beginning! If you search carefully or just by incident you will find multiple other problems assorted with your car.

Yes you can fix it. But can you really make sure nothing else will come up?

When I suggested to sell the car then apparently I was hoping you can get enough money to buy a similar car - a new one for you not new new. Of course given it is this car you need to have some one with a vision similar to yours to buy it.

Regardless what I expect more posts in the future. I stay tuned for the key does not turn or the brake lights are not working.

Oh reminds me: did you check if the brake lights are working?

Sometime just sometimes its not how we treat the car but how the car treats us!

Good luck!

"If I got a new car, I wouldn't know how good the engine is or how the old owners treated the vehicle."

If you got a new car it would be new, right? And the old owners would be the dealership or the factory. That being said, this is the beginning of the end of your Cavalier. Sell it before things get worse, it's a matter of time.

It's your battery.

I'd concentrate on one problem at a time, if I were you.

Good luck.

Sounds like the DRL connector is not making a good connection...maybe corroded or a wire broken....this is a common problem because the connector is located directly under the battery...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY3k94gALEc

http://www.2carpros.com/questions/chevrolet-cavalier-2000-chevy-cavalier-daytime-running-lights

I always take the K.I.S.S. approach, it usually make me feel stupid when I find out how simple the fix is.

In you case, you should load test your battery, if you can get it started, take to a auto parts store and ask them to check your battery and charging system. Most parts store will do it for free. And as a general rule, I make a point not to work on any form of a Cavalier LS or BS, doesn't matter, (they are a recurring nightmare) so I don't remember how accessible the starter to take off to also have it bench tested. A bad battery will keep relays from latching and cause lights to flash/ flicker

Have those three things tested, then come back and let us know the out come and we'll go from there.

It can't be the battery! When Lyn suggested to check the Head lights OP found out that one of them is not working! This means the other one is!

Now there might be a short! This could mean the battery is dead!

But I'd say its not! Yet we have to hear if the brake lights are working! I am sure it has nothing to do with it but we might find out there is a flat tire in the boot.

To many things can go wrong! Yes man! Its a Cavalier!

Internet auction sites (names withheld) are fabulous for solving problems like this. One simply photographs the vehicle, lists it on one of the sites, and a few days later someone shows up with some money, exchanges it for the vehicle, and takes the problem away.

Given the level of interest in the Chevy Cavalier on CR4, it is a pity more owners cannot solve their problems in his way given the ease of doing so.

A while back we had a posting on Cavalier lights blinking. As I recall the issue was resolved with indicator light lubricant. Here is the CR4 thread if you would like to read the old posting.

my best suggestion..

Some of that new oil for high mileage cars might cure that smoking exhaust.

Check the ground wire connection to the light fixture.

It is either broken, loose, or disconnected.

Often the ground terminal in the lamp connector gets corroded or the ground connection at the lamp to the radiator cowling is corroded.

Compare the connections on both lamps for reference or get a maintenance manual for the ground location details.

Oh I thought that said head lice problem......nevermind

A king crab with Librarianitus.

This is actually the THIRD thread in CR4 Electrical Engineering that is related to Chevy Cavaliers...

http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/88222#comment999370

Note to self: Chevy Cavaliers = bad electrical systems... run away!

I just took my starter motor today and that was the problem. Tomorrow I'm going to get a new one from the junk yard. I'll let you all know if the new motor fixes the problem.

Are you kidding? From a junk yard? Put an extra $20 with that money your going to throw away and at least get a cheap rebuilt starter and quit shooting yourself in the foot.

Many years ago I remember replacing a starter.

Luckily for me I brought the defective starter to the auto parts store, because the dealer told me "They used three different starters on that model" but I had the model number of the one to be replaced.

Take the advice offered by many posters, and buy a new(er) car.

You'll fix one thing, and soon something else will go.

Besides, it's going to start getting cold soon (unless you're in the tropics or Southern Hemisphere) and working on a car is not pleasant unless you've got a toasty garage.