2000 Cavalier...engine stalling/fuel pump?

Hi guys! I purchased a 2000 Cavalier last year and all was going well until recently. The car wants to make this kind of knocking noise when I first start it up and start driving. The odd noise continues but then sometimes quiets down after driving a while. My mechanic drove the car and because it is inconsistant, he never heard it.

I have been checking other posts on here, and I found something about fuel pump problems with the Cavalier? My car has also been running rough and it died on me for the first time a few days ago after I parked before I could even turn the engine off.

Another mechanic aquaintance friend told me to try a fuel injector cleaning solution to add to the gas tank.

My personal mechanic is very thorough and has never done me wrong, but he honestly can't quite figure out whats wrong. That's the problem with finding a good mechanic, they are too busy to look at your car when you need them, so I thought I send an S.O.S. to anyone on here for help.

Do any of you know what might be happening? My car had a little over 45,000 miles on it.

I would greatly appreciate any info. Thanks guys!

(p.s. I am terrible at spelling, I even carry a dictionary with me in my purse at all times....sorry for future typos)

my girlfriends cavalier had that same problem, i dont really know what they did to it... maybe try a different mechanic?

Originally posted by aj178
my girlfriends cavalier had that same problem, i dont really know what they did to it... maybe try a different mechanic?


Hi dude, could you maybe find out what your girlfriend had done for her car? I would really appreciate any extra info. I am going to try the fuel injector fluid to see if that helps smooth it out. My other mechanic friend recommended it, but any extra info from you guys would be helpful too.

Thankyou sir!

sorry she doesn't know

A good mechanic would find the problem!!

well my girlfriends car isnt stalling anymore its just turning off now.. it happend once and she took it in to the shop and it was the spark plug, but just today it locked up the engine was still running but breaks and acceleration wouldnt work, service engine light was on. .. anyone have any idea what it might be.. it doesnt just turn off it like struggles a bit and coughs basically then it dies. she has a 1990 cavalier sedan.. shes thinking about getting a new car (hyundai but those cars arent really good) anyone can give me advice on what car she should buy.. i told her to get another cav theyr not expensive

Originally posted by Flatrater
A good mechanic would find the problem!!


That's true. My mechanic has always kept my cars going over the years, but even he's stumped on this one, because of course, my car never makes the sound when he drives it. And these days, he never has time to keep it and go over it with a fine tooth comb like he used to. He's just too darn busy. (sigh) Guess I'll start looking around for a second opinion. Thanks anyway guys. I appreciate it.

Ugh, cars...the bane of my existance! My love/hate relationship with them continues!

Well, I dumped some fuel injector cleaner fluid in my gas tank and I noticed an immediate difference. It is running more smoothly and not stalling anymore. Why didn't I try this sooner??? But, now my left turning signal is not working and the two lower settings on my temperature dial are broken and not pushing air out when I turn the air conditioner on. (sigh) Does it ever end? I know they can make a car that lasts 30 years with no problems, but it would probably cost us a fortune.

My car saga continues.....

Anyone else out there have trouble with their Cavalier's fuel injection system? How often should I get it cleaned? Is there anything else on a 2000 Cavalier that I might need to do that I haven't thought to do yet? (Ya know, the owners manual is not terribly specific on certain maintenance things)

Thanks guys........ : )

Still looking for fellow 2000 Cavalier owners who have had the engine roughness I've described in earlier posts above. Anyone???

Still wonder if its the fuel injection system. I still haven't been able to get to my mechanic. Any extra info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks guys!

:naughty:

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Hey I had alot of those same problems with my car too.....first it was stalling but that was the spark plugs, and like yours my air wont work on the first or second speed only third and forth...its a 2000 cavalier.

if you really want to clear up the problem, do a full fuel injection cleaning, fuel filter.

also check your plugs and wires and air filter. check color and smell (burnt?) of your tranny fluid

My 2003 was stalling and starting hard and not starting at all. There was a bulletin out on the IAC valve. Have your mechanic check that. Also the fuel pump pressure was erratic. I had both replaced.

its the fuel pump strainer get it cleaned out typicall problem with newer cavys.

i,m currently having the same problem the fuel pump puts out 112-125 psi the book said but chevy did not put a port to check the fuel pressure at the fuel injector rail, you could check the map sensor located on passanger side below the tpi sensor it has a rubber boot that goes into intake if it pulls air around it or has oil on it it will cause a problem