I have checked the fuel line, fuel filter and fuel pump on my Cavalier. They are all working. I broke down an waited for a couple of hours an it started up. I waited on the tow truck still got it home the next day went out an it wont start.
RESPONSE
You will need to determine what the vehicle is not getting. The engine may not be getting fuel injector pulse, spark or both. I have a wonderful chart that goes over the step by steps for diagnosing a no start situation.
Headlights don’t work. Have parking lights, markers and tail lights but no headlights. Initial issue was very dim headlights, but now no lights at all.
RESPONSE
My first thought would be a bad connection of some kind. It may be from some corrosion or rust, brittle wiring or loose connection. I will provide a wiring diagram for reference. Check for power at the light switch coming in and going out when the switch is pulled. No power to the switch, check the fuse and wiring between the fuse and the switch. Once that checks good move to the headlights. Check for good ground and then for power when switch is pulled. Repair as needed. Of course all testing should be done with a fully charged battery.
Water coming out the muffler not tailpipe. Over heating radiator stop up. I put a new thermostat on it.
RESPONSE
If the radiator is stopped up, it would be a good idea to install a new one. Therefore it may also be a good idea to flush the entire cooling system too. But first of all rule out the possibility of a blown head gasket because water coming from the muffler isn’t normal.
Experiencing a miss in engine at idle and at speed it misses and sounds like popcorn popping in the muffler. — Replaced plugs and wires, distributor cap and rotor, finally replaced entire distributor. “NOT FIXED”… Replaced Fuel injection spider. “NOT FIXED”…Help Please!!!
RESPONSE
The ignition system initiates combustion by providing a spark to ignite the compressed air and fuel mixture at the correct time. In order to provide an improved engine performance, fuel economy, and control of exhaust emissions, the control module controls the distributor spark advance, or timing, with the ignition control (IC) system.
The ignition system uses a primary and secondary sub system in order to accomplish the timed spark distribution. The primary system consists of a low voltage trigger device which determines the base timing. This signal is modified by the ignition control driver (ICD) module. The signal travels to either or both the engine and transmission processor, or control module, for base timing reference. Another signal is sent back to the ignition control driver (ICD) module, which has been adjusted by the control module, advanced or retarded, in order to trigger the coil, according to the requirements of the engine.
The secondary system consists of the ignition coil which has primary (low voltage) windings and secondary (high voltage) windings. The secondary side of the ignition coil generates a high voltage which high tension spark plug wires deliver to the spark plugs.
The control module controller now controls the ignition control (IC) and bypass functions.
In order to properly control the ignition or combustion timing, the control module needs to know the following things:
This system does not use the ignition module used on the DI systems in the past. The VCM controller now controls the ignition control (IC) and bypass functions.
The crankshaft sensor, located in the front engine cover, is perpendicular to a target wheel attached to the crankshaft. The target wheel is equipped with slots situated 60 degrees apart. As the crankshaft rotates, the target wheel rotates past the crankshaft position sensor. The rising and falling edges created by the slots cause a signal to be sent back to the VCM. This signal occurs three times per crankshaft revolution and is referred to as the 3x signal for V6 applications. The signal occurs four times per crankshaft revolution and is referred to as the 4x signal for V8 applications.
The VCM then utilizes this 3x (V6) or 4x (V8) signal in order to provide the correct spark to the engine by way of the single coil driver module. The single coil driver module is basically an electronic switch that when commanded by the VCM, causes the primary coil voltage to breakdown, energizing the secondary coil and providing a spark via the coil wire to the distributor cap. The distributor consists of the following components:
The camshaft drives the distributor shaft which rotates providing a spark to the correct cylinder by way of the cap and rotor. The camshaft position (CMP) sensor functions much like the crankshaft sensor previously described but provides only a 1x signal to the VCM. That is, for every 2 rotations of the crankshaft, there is 1 rotation of the camshaft. Note that the camshaft position sensor will not affect driveability. The sole purpose of the camshaft position sensor is to provide the VCM with the necessary information for the misfire diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).
I got a crank no start. I got spark, no fuel.
RESPONSE
We have a No Start Chart that will guide you through the diagnostic procedure.
Brake problems: New pads, rotors, master cylinder and booster, 4 big jugs of new fluid… pedal to the floor right after starting and sometimes very, VERY hard pedal with no breaking. 19″ of vacuum at idle then fluctuates between 13″ after throttle let off to 23″ on reeve.
RESPONSE
Did you bench bleed the master cylinder before installation? Did you bleed the brake system to get all the air out? It sounds like you did not if the pedal is going to the floor. Pumping the brake pedal will get you a hard pedal and no braking if there is air in the system. Air in the system is the most common issue with brake problems after the system has been open.
Source: Brakes
How much would it cost in total to replace the shift cable?
RESPONSE
About $60 for the part plus the part mark up. Then about 2 hours labor at shop rate.
Do it yourself Estimate: Part = $60
| Labor Times | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Comments | Factory | Regular | Severe |
| 1.3 | 1.8 | 2.0 |
There is some kind of leak on the passenger side of the car. The carpet is always wet. What can this be?
RESPONSE
The most common reason for the passenger floor to be wet is a leaking heater core. Check your coolant level to see if it is getting low. Another reason, that is not so common, would be if the HVAC box drain is clogged. This would be from the air conditioning system running. If you don’t see it drip on the ground when the air conditioning has been running for a while than this could be the reason. Simple unplug the the drain with a pencil or screw driver.
I have a battery light on and when engine is off and keys in pocket still have a dim battery light.
RESPONSE
The battery light comes on when the alternator is no longer charging the battery. An internal diode has failed inside your alternator. Replacing the alternator should take care of the battery light.
The IPC illuminates the battery indicator when the following occurs:
BATTERY NOT CHARGING
The IPC illuminates the battery not charging indicator in the driver information center when the following occurs:
I have hid headlights my friend took out of his Prelude and gave to me. I would like to know if it’s possible to install them in my Chevy Cavalier 2 door coupe base 2.4L, (which currently has regular stock headlights installed). and if so, what do I need to do?
RESPONSE
HID headlight bulbs require a special ballast to operate. You will need them on order for your HID bulbs to work properly. They can be purchased at a reasonable cost. Another thing to consider would be if the bulbs will actually fit your vehicle bulb socket.