Timmy390

My daughter just called and said her Cav just died. She said it will start and run for maybe a minute but will not go anywhere. It dies after a minute. No check engine light, it has gas.

I haven’t looked at tit yet as I’m 30 miles away. Any quick possibilities?

Tim

MT-2500

A 30 second start and run and them quit may be anti theft.
Try a different or spar key.
Any security or anti theft lights on.
Any add on remote start or anti theft systems?

__________________
Remember proper testing gives us the answer to many problems.
MT

Timmy390

Thanks for the reply.

I read that same thing in another post. No added anything to this car. It's stock as can be and very low optioned i.e, base model.

I can't say how long it's running for. She said it just died as she was driving it. She told me it would run for a second. I ask how long a second was and she said a minute so 30 seconds is more than likely how long it's running for.

What would trigger the anti theft just driving along?

Tim

MT-2500

Usually anti theft just gives problems on start up.
But have her check to see if the security light goes off if it has one.
If that is not the problem it will need to be checked on a engine capable scanner and a fuel pressure test run on it.
Could be one of many things.

__________________
Remember proper testing gives us the answer to many problems.
MT

Timmy390

Ok, now I get a full report. It starts but then begins to run very rough/missing and then it dies.

She has less than 1/8th of a tank of gas in it (low fuel light is not on).

How much you wnat to bet it's fuel related?

Will a hand held code scanner detect anti theft issues on these cars?

Tim

MT-2500

Better put some gas in it.
Them kids never learn they will not run good on empty.
And better to always keep al least a 1/4 tank of fuel in it.

Some code scanners will and some do not.
But anti theft problems are usually body pcm codes.

Let us know what some gas does..
MT

__________________
Remember proper testing gives us the answer to many problems.
MT

Timmy390

Well I filled up the largest gas can I have (2 gallons), grabbed my code scanner, flashlight, screwdrivers, a wrench or three and headed over to where the car was.

She was right, it starts then spits, sputters, and dies. Hit the key and it starts, play with the gas peddle and it will run but rough as heck missing badly. Gas gauge show’s 1/8 tank of gas and low fuel light is not on.

Added two gallons of gas, now shows almost 1/4 tank of gas. Hit the key and she runs fine. What a way to find out the gas gauge is not working correctly.

Couldn’t drive it home as it was blocked in because of parking for a basketball game. Going back later to drive it home stopping for gas along the way.

Thanks for the advice. Glad it was just gas……………..

Tim

MT-2500

Thanks for posting back on how it went.
Glad you got it going and all is well.

Gas gauges are only electrical indicators and do not get the job done right some times.

With a electric fuel pump it is better to never let the tank get below a 1/4 tank on fuel.
Makes the fuel pump last longer and does not draw moisture and saves on running out of gas.
Good Luck
MT

__________________
Remember proper testing gives us the answer to many problems.
MT

Derk_eliso

glad to see you got your issue solved. My gas gauge is off too, once it gets to 1/4 it starts going backward, where empty ends up being around 3/4....I'm not sure how that's possible but it does, lol.

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1999 Cavalier 2.2 OHV



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