1998 Chevy Cavalier Will Not Start

Turn on headlights, try to start, do headlights dim?

Can you get to the starter motor and whack it with a hammer while someone else tries to start it?

Any trouble codes?

I've started many vehicles with a hammer because the contacts in the solenoid are stuck. Tap lightly but firmly. Rubber/dead blow hammers work the best.

You might want to check the ground wire connections, and all the stuff listed here...

http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/76445/1998-Cavalier-2-2L-Ignition-Will-Not-Work-When-Car-is-Warm

make certain the starter bolts are tight. the starter is grounded through the engine or transmission. a loose starter won't get a good ground connection.

Starter solenoid, Firewall harness connector, Neutral Safety switch, (or clutch safety switch) ignition switch harness, ignition switch, and finally the fusible links that feed power to the car. The ignition switch is fed by two separate fusible links to it. One may have melted out.

After you whack the starter a few times while an assistant turns the key, you will know weather or not to get the test light, and start checking for power in the start position. The wire you want to test for power on the solenoid is the purple one. It should be alone on the small stud on the solenoid. Don't tear apart the car to follow the power to the solenoid, just pick the easy places, and use my above list to follow the path the current takes from battery to starter. Good luck.

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