01 Chevy Cavalier Starting Problems

First, some terminology.

she can turn it over( what does this mean?) Move the key to the start position? With a reciprocating engine, turn over means that the starter motor is turning the engine "over". So, does the engine turn over for a while and then click when the battery dies?

and all it does is click, and then nothing Or, does it just click? Then suddenly start normally?

Certainly has the general symptoms of a starter motor relay going out.

When you say "...checked the relays.", what does that mean? It is very difficult to ascertain the proper function of a starter relay... that is part of the reason they are ten bucks (or so), and fairly easy to change. The car is ten years old... has it (starter relay) been changed ever?

And, as lynlynch says, better definition of terms, please.

Alas you have the least reliable car in the world.

try looking at these past questions to see if your question has arisen before.

but i would suspect the crank shaft sensor. or faulty immobiliser

http://cr4.globalspec.com/search/sitesearch?do=show&sort=textmatchrank&srch=cavalier&order=asc

ps next time it wont start arm yourself with some easy start and spray a little into the air intake if it starts the problem is fuel related if it doesnt its electrical

it helps to reduce the possiblities. and report back on your findings,

What it does is; she can turn it over and all it does is click, and then nothing

a bit vague.

do you mean it turns over and does not start

or do you mean it just clicks and does not turn over, its important ? thanks

it could be the ignition switch. Try spraying it with a contact cleaner. It could be gummed up inside.

The problem is probably a bad starter solenoid. Replace the starter with a high quality rebuilt unit and the starting problem should disappear.

Something similar happen to one of my friend, it was related to an anti-thieft system preventing ignition when something wrong is done during the start up routine. It reset itself after about 20 minutes. He just asked the car dealer mechanic to turn it off and it solved the problem.

"An anti-thieft system"?

Who in their right mind would steal a Cavalier?

Crawl under the lovely car, and attach a jumper wire onto the connection between the starter solenoid and the starter motor power connection itself. bring the other end of that jumper wire to a probe on a test light. the other lead on the test light goes to a known good ground. Position the test light within view of the driver. When the "no start" condition reappears, look at test light. If the light is on, your starter is bad, or you have a bad ground to the starter. If the light is not on, remove the test lead from the starter connection, and re attach it to the small purple wire on the starter solenoid. Again when not starting for her, is the light coming on? if so, solenoid is bad. If not, wiring to the starter solenoid is bad. Continue at the neutral safety switch, or clutch interlock switch. Then the ignition switch. again purple wire is the wire powered when starting. Good Luck.

Try replacing the ignation switch. This might solve the problem