1997 cavalier 2.2 starting problem

got a 97 cavalier and it will intermitantly not start.it has the theft system and i'm not getting power down to the starter relay when its acting up, but it did it a few times last year and nothing till 2 days ago.i put new connector eyelets on the wires from the relay and replaced the relay.just wondering if anyone knows if there is something with the theft system that would affect it,or if maybe there are problems with the key or key switch.thanks in advance

If the no start is caused by your theft system the security light should light up on the instrument panel.

Have you tried starting it in neutral? It could be your park/neutral switch.

When you say relay are you referring to the solenoid that's attached to your starter?

You may have another starter relay switch in one of your fuse boxes. Check that for corroded contacts.

If you don't have an owners manual for your car you can download one here >>> http://www.extendedgmwarranty.com/owners-manual/chevrolet_owner_manuals.html
It will show your fuse boxes.

haven't tried it in N just in park, but i'll try that tonight.i traced the wires from the starter solinoid and one wire went into a loom and all the others went to a relay on the radiator support.i replaced all the eyelet connectors cause some were rigged on there with some cheapy connectors and i also replaced that relay.the guys at oreilly ask me if it had theft system when i got the relay so i was thinking that maybe there was a problem with those systems causing it not to start, but i will check to see if the lights on when i try starting it. thanks for the help,i'll post with my findings.

I looked at your owners manual and you have an ING fuse in the upper left of your fuse box that's under your hood. Check that fuse and clean the contacts with sandpaper.

What do you hear when you try to start the car?
1. A single click?
2. Multiple clicking , click click click click click click click click click?
3, Nothing at all?

One last thing, when your car won't start do you get a bulb check on your dash when you put the key in the run position? Does your radio work when the key is in the Acc position? That will tell you if your getting power TO your ignition switch.

well everything was working on the dash and when you turned the key to start there would no clicking at all.i checked it out lastnight and found the new relay was bad, took it back to oreillys and got a new one and it started up fine.guess i'll see how long this one will last.if it goes bad i'll just go to the dealer and get one,sure they would have better quality parts than oreillys.thanks again

Glad you found the problem. On my 99 Firebird I have a starter relay in one of my fuse boxes under the hood. I noticed your Cavavier didn't have have one there. Where is your starter relay located?

To find a better price than the dealer you can go to the Acdelco web site and put in your zip code in the find a parts store search box.
>>> http://www.acdelco.com/index.jsp
(http://www.acdelco.com/index.jsp)