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Please help, 1991 Chevy Cavalier doesn't start
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MARKII
New User
May 4, 2011, 3:38 AM
Post #1 of 3
(2967 views)
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Please help, 1991 Chevy Cavalier doesn't start
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1991
Chevy
Cavalier
2.2L
Over 200,000km (please don't tell me to call a wrecker)
5-speed
No AC
Copper plugs approx. 2 years old
Dirty air cleaner (but not VERY dirty)
Fuse for fuel pump/injectors is not blown
Fuel filter condition (?)
Fuel pump pressure (?)
Condition of spark (?)
Haven't done a top end & tank cleaning with carb cleaner spray & kerosine in about 3 years
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello
Quite distressed here as I volunteer for a cat shelter and a rabbit rescue, and really need my car. And thanks for listening in advance.
All seemed normal leading up to this.
Today I was nearly out of gas, so I pulled into a PetroCan and put in $40 of the usual 89 octane. Drove back to a vet to pick up some bunnies (10-15 mins). Then started up the car and left after maybe 20 mins. Drove another 30 mins approx. After arriving at the barn, I shut the engine off for maybe 30 mins.
Then when I tried to start it to move it out of a friends vehicles way....it would only crank. Cranked normal speed (not slow sounding at all), and sounded completely normal. Just wouldn't start. Showed the usual dash lights. I didn't crank for more than 5-10 seconds at a time, in probably 5 seperate times, with several seconds inbetween (so shouldn't have overheated the starter). I didn't touch the throttle at first, but did so in later crankings.
Anyways there was a steep driveway outside, so a friend pushed me while I "push started it" (about another 5 mins later). Tried it on the flat surface first, but didn't work, too slow so no surprise there. Then did it on the driveway and it started right away. Left it running for a couple mins. Then shut it off (had to stick around anyways). But immediately tried starting it again (with key).......and again, just the normal cranking sound. No start.
Then tried "push starting" it again soon after, although the remainder of roadway I had was not as steep as the driveway, so it only rumbled a bit, meaning I could barely tell that it was running......then it stopped after 8-10 seconds. Did it another time.....same thing. Now I could not see it being a battery problem, but.........there were some helpful lady volunteers that insisted I try jump starting it. So I did. And when hooked up to another running vehicle, the cranking sounded the same except.....even faster, maybe a little louder too (the best cranking ANY vehicle could hope for), seeeeveral seconds of cranking, about same as before, on and off. Wouldn't start. Got out of vehicle, talked for a min or two (jumper vehicle still running). Then got back in and tried again.....it started. And Immediately ran normally. Disconnected cables after a few mins, put it into gear, moved forward and back a few feet....all normal. So reversed all the way back into the barn to get close enough to an outlet to hook up my 10A charger.
By the way, battery is a DieHard, in normal charge, terminals look good/clean, just grey (havent removed them yet), and is about 2 years old.
The reverse driving back into the barn took about 45 seconds....it drove completely normal with nothing noticed. Hooked it up to my charger, right away needle spazzing back and forth from the 100% mark (in the auto MF position), which tells me it's fully charged. Left it for another hour or so. Removed the charger and tried to start up to go home.......just cranked as before (for same amount of time, or less actually). Then hooked up the jumpers to another volunteers running vehicle...and the thing started right away.
So..........I immediately took off for home (freaking the whole time, naturally), a 30 minute drive in the city..........and not the slightest stutter, hesitation or anything. It was a completely normal drive home (!?). I thought it was a fuel problem, but after that long drive? Parked it outside on the street like I have to. No hills or anything steep for me to park on ANYwhere. I restarted right away after I was parked, and it started like normal. A few times in fact. But of course, that didn't put my mind at ease in the least. I can't afford any car repairs whatsoever, I only work 2 payed days a week. And I have the cat shelter to get to as usual on Thursday, day after tomorrow. I don't know what to do.
:-r
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MARKII
New User
May 8, 2011, 9:21 AM
Post #2 of 3
(2934 views)
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Re: Please help, 1991 Chevy Cavalier doesn't start
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Can no one reply to me? After 4 days mine seems to be the oldest post on here without one (??).
I think there must be spark (unless it's a no spark problam ONLY during startup). I took the old plugs out and they were in very bad shape, so I thought that was the problem. When I put the new ones in, it started up every time. Except, after a few days normal use.........it started happening again. But, I've figured out one thing, and it seems to be a rule with this "no start" problem. It only seems to not start, when the engine is hot, or warm. Overnight, or 7 hours, or once even 4 hours.....it started and drove normally. But, trying to start it only an hour, or even 5 mins after I've shut it off (from normal operating temperature), it never starts. And yes, when it runs, the temp guage looks as normal as usual.
Haven't been able to locate a fuel pressure guage to borrow yet. Nor have I been able to do the injector test with the noid light (which I don't understand anyways).
Please, I still need help :-(
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Josh45
New User
May 8, 2011, 10:24 PM
Post #3 of 3
(2929 views)
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Re: Please help, 1991 Chevy Cavalier doesn't start
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It could be a bad fuel filter or fuel pump. Get the fuel pressure test done. Find out if it is that and if not. You could have an electrical issue somewhere. Spark plugs can be the cause but I dont know if they can do like that. Cap and rotor have a better chance of making the car act odd.
I would check the fuel pressure first anyways just to make sure.
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