6 Mechanics are stumped and cant fix my car

[Psxlady]

I own a 5 spd - 96 Cavalier and for the past 6 months it stalls while driving for no apparent reason. Sometimes it will not start after sitting overnight. It doesnt matter if I am gearing down, speeding up or driving at a constant speed. I have been keeping a log to see if anything is making it happen and it seems to be random. After the car stalls the gauges will blink and flash, the speedometer will jump up to 80km and back down dozens of times while the car isnt running. Sometimes it can take 5 mins or 1 hour before the car will restart. The car runs great besides this stupid problem. Occasionally when the car does restart the ABS light remains. Last week the theft light stayed on until I turned it off.
The mechanics are getting no codes and of course it starts up right away when it gets towed to the garage.

The car has a new battery. It seems to be electrical but without codes I am lost and so are they. Please help me with some serious suggestions only. Thank you so much. It is getting cold and I would hate to be in subzero temperatures stuck on a highway somewhere freezing to death waiting for the damn thing to restart!

[ttweakk27]

Sounds like a computer prob or an anti theft system prob

[godenm]

sounds like ground wire/strap. maybe loose connections at computer,loose wire on starter,or when someone put the battery in they cracked the terminal by over tightening.deffinently sound electrical. keep us posted

[Psxlady]

This problem was occurring before I had the new battery installed. Thank you for your input.
Found out today that there is no spark when this is occuring.
I read somewhere that this might be caused by the ignition module or crank sensor. Anyone?

[Howardy]

Originally Posted by Psxlady

This problem was occurring before I had the new battery installed. Thank you for your input.
Found out today that there is no spark when this is occuring.
I read somewhere that this might be caused by the ignition module or crank sensor. Anyone?

Sounds like the same thing that happened to me 88 olds.
First the ignition module went out so I changed it, was good for about a year now its bogging and stalling alot like yours.
Im debating whether or not to change the crank sensor ($65 Canadian)
I'll keep watching this thread to see if anybody has anymore input on your problem.

[4dr92cavi4cyl]

If it was the module it wouldn't start back up until it was replaced, I know, my cavy did the same thing. Sound more like a crank sensor wigging out, or a loose wire to the sensor.

[perna00]

same problem with my old cavailer. it's the ignition module. when your car heats up it will seperate the malfunctioning connectors on the board and stall out your car giving no spark signal. after the car cools down to make the connection again (5-60 minutes) it will start again. part is $150 from autozone. it can't be diagnosed on the checker cause it doesn't get hot enough unless it's run in the actual engine compartment.

[ScottJa]

My 2000 Cav. w/100k sounds like all the above. Here's my history.
June: AC Compress replaced; July: Start Stalling @ 65-70 (That's FUN in rush hr); July: crank sensor; Aug: Alternator shot and Batt.; Aug: Ignition recall( now no cruse control; Sept: Idler Arm. kept gas above 1/4 tank all okay. Out of the blue today Cav. stalled would not start (DOA) and it was 9 degrees not including chill factor...

[93_R/T_TT_Stealth]

first thing i would do is find a ECU outa car in the salvage yard that has less than 150k on it snatch the ECU an tell the salvage yard that u didnt find what u were lookin for if they seem to ask but prob. wont - cause they will prob. want like 75-150 for the ecu - see if that solves the prob. if not then u know its not the ecu.
let us know how it goes - or if u have a friend ask him if u can borrow his/her ecu for a few to try an fix ur problem.
that way is cheaper than starting to replace everything even though the things u are replacing might not be the problem.
just a idea that i have seen work with 2 other cars with the same problems. one was a 2.2 cavy an the other was a crx with a 1.6 vtec both were solved by that problem. might as well give it a whirl
GOOD LUCK!

[noshun]

Had this problem it was a ground wire one the starter that cuts power to the ignition. It may be worth just taking these off and cleaning up the bolt and the connectors with some failry abraisive sand paper until they're shiny-ish this cost nothing and can fiw the problem if not 93 R/T TT stealth's advice is great except I'm sure he doesn't condone fooling wreckers yard and this was merely a thought.

[Mangoamerican]

yeah, ill second that.. make sure all your connections are good.. does the power to your whole car turn off? (radio and everything) if so, check to ensure the connections on your battery are snug

[Psxlady]

Changed the ignition switch and yippie its fixed. There were also some old wires left behind attached from an old remote starter removed. It could have been either one.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions!

PSX

[public]

The clue here was the blinking dash lights. That is NOT from a module. That means a loose connection somewhere, even if it is in the Ignition switch.

[jayson716]

Well so u guys/girls know 2000 cavys had a recall on the ignition module

[public]

Originally Posted by jayson716

Well so u guys/girls know 2000 cavys had a recall on the ignition module

Hopefully this issue will be address soon, or we will be getting another question when it goes bad.