Car Problems - Help? (2000 Chevy Cavalier)

Hello, stephaniea4321. Sorry to hear your troubles.

A quick check reveals yours to be thread #64 regarding this generation of Cavalier... since March of 2009. You do not seem to be alone.

This link will reveal the previous discussions regarding the "My Cavalier will not start/run/stop blowing horn/go into gear" troubles we have already discussed on CR4. You may find something there (there are 500 posts to go through).

I do not wish to seem like I am blowing you off, but just about every Cavalier seems to be a candidate for the recycle yard.

The car is 10+ years old. You have had to replace a couple things on it already... it seems as though it is on the downhill track toward replacing. I predict soon enough that the cost to fix all of these maladies will outweigh the cost of just getting another vehicle. I would suggest finding another car.

But if you decide not to do car searching, Doormans post (#1) will probably be most useful.

Ask your friend to try the crankshaft sensor. possibly one from a scrap yard for cheapness.

But as others have said it is unfortunate that you have a cavalier, You may also try to get the codes read from the engine management you will need a special tool for this

Sorry to hear about your predicament, hope I'm not insulting you, but with mechanics fees running about $85 per hour plus parts, this may be worth looking into, you may even be able to use your car as a trade of some sort, http://www.ehow.com/how_5011948_donated-car.html

Check the distributor pickup coil.

http://www.google.com/images?q=chevrolet+distributor+pickup+coil+image&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=jng_TJ3AOujtnQfjsrCVBQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCEQsAQwAA

When this small and somewhat inexpensive (if you replace it yourself) device fails you are not going anywhere.

Hope this helps - Good Luck!

Sorry to hear of your problems. Ask your cousin to test for spark while trying to start the car. just remove one of the spark plug wires and put another spark plug in the wire and make sure the hex shaped part of the plug is against the metal part of the engine.( You can use one of your car's plugs if no spares)

If you have bright blueish white spark, you probably have a fuel problem.

If you had spark, replace the spark plug wire, (and plug if removed) and pour about a thimble full of gasoline into the air inlet of the engine. Not the air filter, the metal throttle body that the gas pedal is connected to. Have a garden hose that is charged standing next to the car and then try to start again.

These two tests will get you in the correct direction for 0 money. Let us know results, and we will go forward. Good luck.