2000 Chevy Cavalier Starting Issue - Power / Electrical

ACS,

Sorry but you probably have a chip issue. Off to the dealer you must go!

OK, there's some missing info here.

Does the battery have any charge in it? Check first by turning on headlights. Next, using a test light, check it between thr posts.

Next disconnect the ground side of the battery and, with every switch off, check between the cable and post. If it lights the test light you have a short to ground. (Note: the vehicle computer may draw a sleight amount, causing a dim light).

If there is no major draw there I would suspect an alternator problem or a battery that has become sulphated or otherwise become inoperable. Try another battery at this point.

If there is a major draw, get an auto electrical expert to check it for you. You may limit the damage that way.

Normally when turned forward, the gas guage goes up and the temp guage. But now, there is no power to this. The radio will still turn on.

If the radio works with the ignition key in the off position, then it sure looks like the ignition switch is bad. All of the gauges are energized through the ignition switch... sometimes including the radio and sometimes not.

Actually, now that I rechecked it. The radio can turn on and off, but doesn't come on when the key is forward. Only backward.

Actually, now that I rechecked it. The radio can turn on and off, but doesn't come on when the key is forward. Only backward.

If so, then that leads us right back to the ignition switch. Perhaps a short in it.

How old is the vehicle? Also, when you said that you had jumped to the starter, did you mean that you had jumped from a different vehicle's battery directly to your vehicle's starter?

2000. That makes sense for no power going to it to turn it on, but does this also explain that it died while running?

2000. That makes sense for no power going to it to turn it on, but does this also explain that it died while running?

Yes, and it's easily tested when one knows how. The electrical part of the switch has relatively small parts that can wear out and fail. The non-start problem can be solved by the process of elimination, and the obvious is to prove or disprove the operation of the ignition switch first.

I am no expert in auto electrical but what about a faulty ignition relay?? They are usually at or near the fuse box, sometimes in a black box in the engine compartment. Worth a try to check it out.

symptoms typical of torque converter solenoid failure

Wow, Ignition switch problems have been reported (I had one) and also DEAD (shorted batteries cause this. It may be broken inside. Just another defective part. It WILL NOT JUMP if the battery is shorted. Another battery will test it.

Ray Cockrell (again)

OK, So I will try these things. I'm not really sure what Ray Cockrell was talking about though. Wouldn't a dead/shorted battery no longer power the lights and radio? Also, wouldn't this not cause the car to just shut off like it did?

First., A dead battery wont stall an already running engine . You already said you tried to boost it and no go . Your battery is not the problem. You have a open circuit somewhere in the " run " circuit of the car as you said the radio works with the key in accy. position .

Second ., Try to determine where the open is by following the small, "not big" diameter wires coming from the batt. pos. terminal . These wires supply power to the "run" system of the entire vehicle and theyer might be more than one , these wires have a bulge in them that contain a " fusable link " , these act like simlple fuses so probe the wires after the bulges with a test lamp and check for voltage . If all is ok go to the underhood fuse panel , unbolt it and carefully turn it over to see all the connectors , look for a burned and or loose connector. If all is good you probably have a bad ignition switch , check by slowly turning key back and forth , off and on and observe the gauges for power . If no go remove ignition switch and check for burned connectors at the back of the switch.

Good Luck .