2001 Chevy Cavalier Starting Problem

You should do a search here on Cavalier problems, I'm sure that there is enough info on this site to provide Cavalier owners with a how to fix manual.

That said.

You need to start with the basics.

Check the battery terminations to ensure that they are free of corrosion, and the connections are tight.

check that all the electrical connections under the bonnet/hood are in good order and are free of corrosion.

check that the connections for the relays under the bonnet/hood are clean and tight.

This is a pernicious fault that will cost you/your son a lot of money and time on if you hand it off to a professional, so a bit of planned methodical work on your/your sons part will pay dividends.

Does it have the PASSLOCK theft system.

If so, read the manual to reset.

When the starter motor was replaced, did you replace the starter relay?

Was the replacement of starter motor to correct this problem?

The starter was replaced prior to my son buying the car from a friend of his. His friend thought that would take care of the problem. It didn't but we didn't know this because the not starting problem didn't happen again for months after starter was replaced. I don't think the relay was replaced.

I remember having a problem like this with a Datsun. It turned out to be a bad connection behind the under-the-dash fuse panel.

Test for voltage at the solenoid when someone turns the key (be careful!).

Thanks. I give up and am taking it in to an Auto Electric Shop that has many good reviews. I took it in today to have computer code test and it reads as if it isn't connected to the tester. They also tested the battery and alternator. Pretty much ruled out everything else.

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

GA from me Pete, I knew you'd get around to it.

Hey, peter, let me help you with that:

http://www.google.com/search?q=new+job+for+peterg7lyg&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7

Just funnin' ya a little bit!

I had a 2002 cavalier with the same problem. Turns out that it was the battery connections. If you remove the side-mount connectors, you'll see there is only three small 'nibs' that provide the connection. They arc and wear out over time. My mechanic friend used side-cutters to bend out the connector to provide more contact surface. It's been good for over a year now.

Check the engine to body ground strap. It's braided copper, it will corrode and fray over time. The car's almost 10 years old. As well, I would switch the battery connections to top mount.

When the starting problem disappears and reappears without apparent pattern the transmission neutral safety switch is the first thing that I check.

Jiggle the transmission shift lever (or work the clutch in an out on a manual). This isn't definite, as this is usually hooked to a relay. You have to actually short out the relay (jump across the output) and then retry the started switch to see if this is what shut you down.

These comments are not Cavalier specific, but apply to all models in general.

I'll go with the guest in 12, my toyota was a on again and off again starter and I'ed pull myself under the side and bang on the starter and it would start for a while and quit again, another bang and off we would go..Till I realized that I was pulling myself under the ole car by the ground strap from the batt. to the frame..

http://www.allworldauto.com/tsbs/2001_chevrolet_cavalier_technical_service_bulletins_8-14-2001-1.html

http://www.allworldauto.com/recalls/2001_chevrolet_cavalier_recalls_8-14-2001-1.html

http://www.allworldauto.com/comments/2001_chevrolet_cavalier_comments_and_complaints_8-14-2001-1.html

I had a very similar problem on a 94 Bonneville, it was a faulty ignition switch which was very easily replaced myself for under $30.00.

my niece had a grand am with a similar problem it ended up being a problem with the security feature on there acting up and keeping the car from running

A simple and quick check,

When the car decides to not start and you get no response when turning the ign to start, Turn the headlites on, if you have enough juice to light the lites try starting the vehicle. If the lights go out or dim you have a poor connection most likely with a battery cable,positive or ground connection. If on the other hand the lights don't dim or go out your problem is most likely in the starting system circuitry.

Now you have isolated the problem system it should be somewhat easier to pin down.

h

You could attach a test lead to the small purple wire on the starter. At the other end of the test wire, attach a small light, and ground to the battery, or the metal body. Locate the light in a location visible to the driver. This way when the car will not start, you will be able to determine if the "start" signal is going to the starter.

If the light does come on when not starting, replace the solenoid on the starter, or look for bad connections on same.

If the light does not light when starting, move the test lead from the starter back to the neutral safety switch, or clutch safety switch.

From there, go back to the purple wire on the ignition switch for testing.

That should narrow it down for you. If your car has the immobilizer installed, it will probably be between the starter, and the neutral safety/clutch safety switch. Perhaps another Cavalier owner here can tell you where it is located. We sure have had enough of them post problems. Good luck.

I'm having the same issue. All the usual causes have been ruled out. Seems like it is related to the Anti-theft system. After some time it will start again. Have you figured out the cause of this issue?