Rarely starts, Gauges show zero - Please help!
Slikell
07-03-2011, 12:30 AM
Hi everyone,
I have a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport. I just recently had everything checked and a few things replaced. The front brakes replaced (brake masters), new tires put on, and just yesterday I paid a mechanic to replace the two front Window motors in both doors (performed at my home). My car was finally running in tip-top shape, or so I thought. After trying to start my car in the garage today, it started acting funny; I’ll do my best to explain:
1. Car started but couldn’t shift into reverse to back-out. Turned off the car. Tried to turn back on, it *begins* to start and then dies. It was continually doing this.
2. Checked battery and all connections, seemed fine. Went to start car and it was doing the same thing as mentioned above (would almost start and then just die).
3. After trying a few more times, I got the car to start. However, all gauges acted as if the car was off. RPM showed 0, speedometer (even when moving) showed zero, temperature 0, gas 0. The car would drive fine though (only took it out of the driveway and back in). I also noticed the custom CD deck that was put in wouldn’t turn on. It was acting as if the car was off. I also just tried turning on the car with just the battery - the stereo system still acted as if the car was off.
4. I turned off the car and the process repeated where it kept shutting off when trying to start it. I got it to turn on a few more times, but it took awhile – and still did the same things mentioned as above.
That's where I'm at, and I'm pretty clueless. Does anyone have any idea what this could be?
Thank you for your time!
I have a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport. I just recently had everything checked and a few things replaced. The front brakes replaced (brake masters), new tires put on, and just yesterday I paid a mechanic to replace the two front Window motors in both doors (performed at my home). My car was finally running in tip-top shape, or so I thought. After trying to start my car in the garage today, it started acting funny; I’ll do my best to explain:
1. Car started but couldn’t shift into reverse to back-out. Turned off the car. Tried to turn back on, it *begins* to start and then dies. It was continually doing this.
2. Checked battery and all connections, seemed fine. Went to start car and it was doing the same thing as mentioned above (would almost start and then just die).
3. After trying a few more times, I got the car to start. However, all gauges acted as if the car was off. RPM showed 0, speedometer (even when moving) showed zero, temperature 0, gas 0. The car would drive fine though (only took it out of the driveway and back in). I also noticed the custom CD deck that was put in wouldn’t turn on. It was acting as if the car was off. I also just tried turning on the car with just the battery - the stereo system still acted as if the car was off.
4. I turned off the car and the process repeated where it kept shutting off when trying to start it. I got it to turn on a few more times, but it took awhile – and still did the same things mentioned as above.
That's where I'm at, and I'm pretty clueless. Does anyone have any idea what this could be?
Thank you for your time!
MikeS144
07-03-2011, 05:34 PM
I would start be checking fuses under that dash. Perhaps when you swapped out the window motors something else got disturbed? IDK bro.
Slikell
07-04-2011, 12:09 AM
Thanks for the reply. I've got a very odd update.
A car friend told me to disconnect the negative on the battery for 10 minutes, then re-connect it. He said this would "reprogram the computer". Well, it worked. The car was working perfectly normal again... for about an hour. Now it's back to doing the exact same symptoms as mentioned in the first post.
Any ideas?
A car friend told me to disconnect the negative on the battery for 10 minutes, then re-connect it. He said this would "reprogram the computer". Well, it worked. The car was working perfectly normal again... for about an hour. Now it's back to doing the exact same symptoms as mentioned in the first post.
Any ideas?
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026