1996 Chevy Cavalier Starting problem

CAVALIER96

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
157,500 MILES

Occasionally my car will not start right away. When this happens, you have to give it 15-20 minutes before it will crank. I have installed a brand new fuel-pump assembly, new gas filter, new oil filter, and new spark plugs, but the problem remains. I have even added fuel injector cleaners from time to time. It doesn't seem to matter if it's hot or cold outside. It happens at random. The passenger side engine mount is worn and causes the engine to somewhat shake, perhaps that has something to do with it? Maybe it's a starter or battery problem? Any sort of help is appreciated.

7 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Welcome to the forum, when the problem occurs, the starter won't crank? Can you tell if there is a load on the starter circuit, when it refuses to crank? Watch the lites, dash lites, headlites, something. The lites should react if load on the starter, dim-- flutter-- go out, something. If the lites stay bright, may be open circuit, purple wire at starter solenoid. Possibilities, faulty wire-- neutral switch-- feed to or from the ignition switch.

The battery does have a full charge and the connections are good?

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Thursday, November 12th, 2009 AT 1:33 PM

CAVALIER96

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The starter will crank. The engine begins to start, but soon drops out. In other words, it sounds like it's starving for gas, but this sometimes happens even on plenty of gas. I guess it sounds flooded at times. The lights do not flicker or anything when I try starting so I don't think it's a load on the starter circuit.

I don't know if the battery has a full charge right now, but this happened even when the battery was newer. I will make sure the connections are good on the battery and look to see if there are faulty pieces near the starter.

Any more ideas?
Thanks for the help.

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Thursday, November 12th, 2009 AT 2:39 PM

JDL

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What about the theft/security system. Passlock is injector disable, the vehicle may start then die because the injectors were disabled?

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Thursday, November 12th, 2009 AT 3:07 PM

CAVALIER96

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I did read that several GM cars had problems with the Passlock wires on the ignition switch in the mid to late 90's. Also, my car's security light does come on when it doesn't completely start. I could never figure it out because my car isn't equipped with anything.

I also heard that Passlock is thru the key and computer only. If this happens to be the case, how would I go about fixing this malfunction?

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Thursday, November 12th, 2009 AT 5:34 PM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

You need to check for trouble codes, or have them checked. If the theft system is the problem, and right now I'm not sure, the code may point in the right direction. The passlock sensor sends a signal to the ipc, instrument panel cluster, if that is ok, the ipc sends signal to the pcm, for it to enable the injector/s. If the security lite is on, after you crank, wait 10 minutes, see if the lite goes out?