2003 Chevy Cavalier Is my onboard cpu damaged too?

NIGUMO

MEMBER
2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

Question regarding 2003 Chevy Cavalier 4door Automatic.

The car will crank up when attempting to start and then shut down. The fuel gauge is non-responsive (even though gas was added to tank). It's almost as if it thinks there is no gas in the vehicle.
One observation is that the THEFT SYSTEM indicator icon is NOT lighting up when the car is in the ON position. A friend is suggesting that it is somehow ARMED and cutting off the fuel to the fuel injectors. The only way I can think that is possible is when we had to repair the main ground wire because battery acid ate through it. Any suggestions?
(on a side-note, the dashboard is sometimes irresponsible and goes 'haywire' when just leaving the car on for a period of time.)

3 Replies

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

If theft system is malfunctioning it will cut fuel to engine.

Reset procedures for security system are in owners manual.

But generally the procedure is:

GM PASS LOCK RELEARN- Ignition to "run" position, try to start and let key return to "run" position.
Approx ten minutes security light will go off
Turn key "off" and wait 5 seconds
Repeat 2 more times for a total of 3 relearns.
Turn key off, then start it