98 Sunfire GT only has running lights!

[sprocketgirl]

Good Morning all, its very early, or late, depending on how you look at it. I'm new here and don't know a lot about cars, but am learning that mine is falling apart. I have no headlights when i first start the car, only running lights, even when i turn the switch to on, it still has the little green light to indicate i need to turn the lights on. And they are on. If i hold the lever towards me as if to switch to high beams, there's my low beams, but it won't stay on. It will stay on if the car is warmed up enough and if its a really warm day out. (its -20 here right now). Any suggestions what that may be??
Also, i'm wondering if anyone else has had a car that lags and feels like its spinning on ice when turning left, and only left turns. If i give it too much gas it does this. then once we're through the turn, its fine. And sometimes when excelerating there's this rattle underneath the car, little metal on metal rattling. But not all the time. The car in general just doesn't seem to have the power it used to. It has almost 110 000 km on it. One more thing, sorry if this is long. My car seems to freeze. Just started last year, and if it hasn't warmed up for at least 5 minutes in the winter, i can floor it and it won't move. Its like the gas needs to be circulating through the car for a few minutes before it will move anywhere.
Again, sorry for all the questions, but please if anyone can help. I'm recently laid off and will be a student in the fall, so NO money to keep going to a garage.
Thanks

[VanBorobob]

sell the car seems it is the best choice

[sprocketgirl]

um, thanks but selling is not really an option. I don't have access to any other transportation.

Could someone please make suggestions other than selling?

[kezia]

thermostat for the car not heating up maybe? i'm slightly noobish as well though. is your check engine light on?

[Classicrocjunkie]

could be your DRL relay.
Bad headlight harness with some corrosion somewhere
Multi-switch on the steering column.

as for your lack of power.

Fuel filter, try adding some dry gas to your gas tank, seafoam your motor and crank case. ( follow directions) tune up plugs, new IDI cover boots.. just a few things i would do.

Has the transmission ever been flushed? The 4t40e trans really is a deacent one and your still fairly low on miles for it to fail with normal maintenance thats if you have an auto.

As for rattling, could be an exhaust clamp thats rusting off...

[sprocketgirl]

Thank you for the suggestions!! unfortunately the plugs, IDI cover boots, coils and shroud have all been replaced (due to issues with those), but haven't done the fuel filter and will try the seafoam suggestion. Lights, thank you, that gives us somewhere to start looking. (my uncle and i are going to do the work to save me $$$). And i will look at having the tranny flushed, it hasn't been done, and i really love driving the car. so thank you for the help!

[muff34]

Try this link for headlight/multifunction switch to see if symptoms are the same as yours.http://www.alldatadiy.com/techtips/Chevy/20040605a.html .And as for your transmission your uncle can likely drop the pan and swap the filter and fluid for around 40 bucks . Transmission shop or garage will likely run you around $ 100.00 to $150.00. what exactly do you mean when it freezes and will not move till it warms up?? Will the engine not rev up or does it rev and cars does nothing in drive?. One other thing don`t buy cheap gas, look for Shell or Petro Canada. They put additives in that do help to clean fuel injectors etc. It costs a cent or two more per litre but it`s worth it.

[sprocketgirl]

The car freezing, well, it will rev up but won't move!! It needs to be revving for several minutes before i can gain any speed. I have to drive around at 20 or 30 kms sometimes, and its revving up to 3000 - 4000, but still not takin off like it should. (i'm sure people behind me are pissed!) i usually have to drive for a good 5 minutes, with NO stop lights (cuz to take off from a stop light when its cold is impossible). then she's fine for the rest of the day. I usually only get gas at Petro or Shell, so thank goodness i do that, i dont want crappy gas. And thanks for the info on the tranny!

[sprocketgirl]

i apologize as i forgot to specify that the car is revving in drive (or reverse) and not moving. If i sit in park and rev the engine too long the check engine light comes on. It goes off again once the car has been fully cycled 3 times. (run, shut off and left, then run again)

[muff34]

well the only advice I can offer you is too change the tranny fluid and filter then add some Lucas Oil for transmissions. Maybe the level is low or trany is gumming up inside. Hopefully this might cure that problem