[rchevellea]

Ok just to let you know this might be a bit lenghty but thanks in advance for your time and knowledge. So my fiance's car a 2005 chevy cavalier is having starting and running problems. It sometimes starts and some times does not start. When it does not start it will crank and crank but no fire, also when turning the key to on (engine not running) the fuel pump relay under the hood will buzz, after turning key ofo and on a half dozen or more times it finally starts, sometimes Also sometimes we will be going down the road 60mph+ and the car just dies, like no fuel (we still have air, radio and lights) I replaced the fuel relay (cheap like 13 bucks) but that did not fix the problem. I work at Firestone here in town and our scanner cant pick up the codes for the car and it cant tell the computer to o anything. But I am not sure that any codes will be given due to the fact that there is no check engine light on. A couple of guys at work think its the anti-theft system, but i dont think that expalins the random shut-off while driving on the interstate at high speeds. I think its either the fuel pump or the ECM not sending the right codes (if it is the anti theft system) I dont mind taking it to the dealership but I dont want to pay the diagnosis fee to have them mess with it and then tell me "we could not get it to act up on us" So I am looking for any and all ideas, and where I should start. Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post. I really want to fix this thing so I dont have to worry about her going around town and then having the car not start or worse, die on her in the middle of an intersection. Thanks again.

Rya

[bulb122]

it's an 05? Is it still under warranty?

[rchevellea]

no we bought it used and the warranty is out. although it would be great to still have that warranty...

[bulb122]

Are you sure? I bought my 04 Chevy truck used, last year, with 27K on it. I took it in under warranty for a few small things, no problem. Has a dealer told you you're out of luck? I assume that if it's less than 3 years, 36K miles, it's covered under warranty, no matter if you bought it used or not. That's how it worked out for me, maybe give it a shot?

[Emptytank]

I finally sold my Cavalier after I used up all of my AAA tows for the year. I too was having the same type of issues. Loose connections to the sensors, or the crank positioning sensor seemed to be the problem with mine. I replaced the crank sensor and recrimped everything I could.... and it ran long enough to sell!

[rchevellea]

yeah im sure there is no warranty. When we bought it used it had 30,000 miles on it and it was GM certified. But we use it to go back and forth to school and it now has 70,000 miles so i know its not under warranty.

[136679ss]

sounds like the fuel pressure regulator.

[ironhead]

Pull that new fuel pump relay and inspect the terminal blades.All 4 should have a contact line in them.If one is not as visable as the others..I would check for a spread female terminal in the ubec.(underhood bussed electrical centre).If that checks ok.you may want to do a continuity test between the relay coil ground and the pcm while manipulating the engine harness.Stick with the buzzing relay until you find out why imho.

[pdq67]

Do a GM Technical Service Bulletin search on the WWW to see just how many other people are having this problem.

And I personally AIN'T buying anything GM again!!

Been bit too many times!! It ain't like the old ...

pdq67

[jay]

It doesn't sound like anti theft,when the theft system acts up usually the car will start and run for half a second and cut off while the theft light blinks. I would check fuel pressure first.

[copoman69]

if the fuel pump is in the tank then thats your problem, they act funny like that before they go bad it give you a chance to repair it before it strands you

[427L88]

Paul, no doubt. I have a Mercedes dis3el with 230K on it now. At least 250K left., And it'll run after a nuclear holocaust. Sorry UAW. no more for me.

[Bowtie70ss]

Originally Posted by 427L88

Paul, no doubt. I have a Mercedes dis3el with 230K on it now. At least 250K left., And it'll run after a nuclear holocaust. Sorry UAW. no more for me.

I bet he could buy 3 Cavaliers for what a Mercedes diesel costs new. You'll get no love from me when you preach foreign cars. I have not and will not ever own one. I'll walk first.

[davewho1]

Geez Dave, tell us how you really feel.

[Dave Birdwell]

There are 2 bulletins, both deal with hard starting and hesitation, poor cold drivability, but neither have any comments about stalling while driving.
The bulletins are for 1- Clogged fuel injectors, and 2- weak fuel pump or clogged fuel strainer in tank.