1998 Cavalier starts but dies when touch gas pedal.

Tiny
DARKSINE
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Hi, my 1998 chevy cavalier 2.2 L coupe turns over with a little over 100k miles, sometimes starting, but once I touch the gas pedal the car dies instantly as if it isn't getting the gas it needs. I have replaced the map sensor, which I was advised to do, and it still does the same thing.

The car seems to be deprived of the gas it wants but it does start and idle sometimes. When it idles if I touch the gas pedal it kills the engine.

I had a coolant leak previously due to a malfunctioning heater core and did overheat, which has been replaced and driven since with no problems until this starting issue.

Any help on this would be much appreciated as I cant exactly afford to take it into a shop or replace a bunch of unnecessary parts.
Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 AT 1:40 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
It sound like you have fuel problem
check fuel pressure and flow
fuel pump fuel filter
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Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 AT 6:02 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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Is there any OBD2 code/s? Meaning the CEL/MIL/SES do what's recommended earlier and comeback if needed.

Good Luck
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Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 AT 10:46 AM
Tiny
DARKSINE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Ok my car decided to start and run properly for a little while. I needed a new battery so put one in and took car for a test drive. I was on my way to Walmart to pick up some dog food when car started to sputter and idle kinda rough, then when I went to go it would have no power then go back to normal. So I picked up some injector cleaner while there and added some to my fuel, idled car for about 5 minutes reving slightly to pump through with no problems. Head back home and got about 5 blocks and car died doing the sputter thing and a red light and car wouldnt start and stay running again.

I bought a fuel filter, and with old filter off I wanted to see if turning ignition on would pump gas through the open line, nothing came out but I can hear the pump humming and when filter was off opening line it gurgled but sent no gas out the line. Is this normal cause I read about a safety feature preventing pump from dispensing fuel if there is no pressure to prevent fires after accidents and such. Is it possible for the pump to be shot even though it makes the humming noise it is supposed to? It got too dark to work on so havent put the new filter back on yet to test it with a sealed line.

I don't have a code reader, wish I did it would make things a whole lot easier =)
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Saturday, October 6th, 2007 AT 4:23 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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You're talking about the oil sending unit it powers the fuel pump after the fuel pump relay de-energize.
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Saturday, October 6th, 2007 AT 5:18 AM
Tiny
DARKSINE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Ok I have replaced the map sensor, fuel pump and fuel filter and my car still won't start(tries to), the spark plugs are recieving gas, I haven't checked my plugs for spark yet as the car is currently charging. When I tested the coil for spark by pulling a wire off and holding it about 1/2" off the coil, the spark arc'd back to the coil. I have been told this is normal and also told that this is a problem. Does this mean I have a coil problem or is this really normal? I have also been told to replace the crank sensor and O2 sensor, so many options. Please help as this is getting very expensive.
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Saturday, October 20th, 2007 AT 11:58 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Try checkingthe CPS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_1998_cavalier_CPS_checks_1.jpg




https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_1998_cavalier_CPS1_1.jpg

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Sunday, October 21st, 2007 AT 11:24 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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IF YOU HAVE FUEL AND YOU HAVE SPARK
2THINGS LEFT IS THE INJECTOR OPENNING AND
DO YOU HAVE COMPR.
THIS WHAT I WILL DO IN THIS CASE I LL PULLL THE PLUGS AND CHECK IF HAS FUEL ON IT
OR TRY STEP ON THE GAS ALL THE WAY TRY TO START LET GO IF OR WHEN START
GOOD LUCK
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Monday, October 22nd, 2007 AT 5:53 PM

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