97 Cavalier cut off when making a turn

[anbdesigns]

I was slowing down, and as I started turning at a stop light, the car shut off.
This is the first time it's actually cut off on me, but it has 'almost' cut off before when slowing down.
When it almost cut off before(many times), the radio would cut out & the lights would dim, and after a second or so, it would return to it's normal self.

Also, not long ago, I went to start my car, and it started to, then nothing. It wouldn't turn over, no clicking noises or anything. Sooo, I popped the hood and had a look around, jiggled some wires. Tada.. the hood light comes on & I hear the 'keys are in ignition' alert (ding, ding, ding,..). I get in, it starts up & I'm on my way.
I believe those wires I jiggled were the spark plug wires. It was dark, so couldn't see very well, and I've never been under the hood before.

After searching, I found that spark plugs/wires could cause it to stall.

Do these 2 problems sound related? Probably spark plugs or wires? I hope
And are they relatively easy to replace on a 97 cav?

[quake61]

Originally Posted by anbdesigns

I was slowing down, and as I started turning at a stop light, the car shut off.
This is the first time it's actually cut off on me, but it has 'almost' cut off before when slowing down.
When it almost cut off before(many times), the radio would cut out & the lights would dim, and after a second or so, it would return to it's normal self.

Also, not long ago, I went to start my car, and it started to, then nothing. It wouldn't turn over, no clicking noises or anything. Sooo, I popped the hood and had a look around, jiggled some wires. Tada.. the hood light comes on & I hear the 'keys are in ignition' alert (ding, ding, ding,..). I get in, it starts up & I'm on my way.
I believe those wires I jiggled were the spark plug wires. It was dark, so couldn't see very well, and I've never been under the hood before.

After searching, I found that spark plugs/wires could cause it to stall.

Do these 2 problems sound related? Probably spark plugs or wires? I hope
And are they relatively easy to replace on a 97 cav?

is very possible that the wires r bad. also both problems are not related

dimmed lights and no power is another problem

look for loose battery cable or loose ground

[anbdesigns]

It started right back up after it stalled.
I guess it could be the engine not getting the right air-fuel mixture.. maybe a dirty valve or something? I'll see if I can get it looked at, or pick up one of those code-reader things..

Thanks

[rswingle]

Sounds eerily similar to the problems I had with my 1997 Blazer. I would be driving normal as can be and when I would make left turns (only left for some reason) it would die on me. Not all the time, but every couple of weeks. Sometimes I would just be driving down the road and all my dash lights would come on, I would lose power, and then it would all just jump back to normal.
I have fixed the problem, well, my mechanic did. The ignition switch that Chevy decided to use has created several problems. There are many posts on these forums that will agree.
So, after some basica diagnostics, it turns out the ignition switch was bad (no surprise to the Chevy buffs around here). I got it fixed and it was like a new car. I have had no problem with it since. I believe that the problem with the car going dead while driving straight was a blocked up fuel filter, but the turning was the ignition switch. I can not tell you exactly what causes the problem or why it does what it does, but I know the replacement fixed it.
I see the cost of the part being $55 online. I really could not tell you how easy/hard it is to change, I leave that type of stuff the people who know better than I.

Be sure to ask your mechanic if that sounds like a reasonable explanation before you do any work (sorry if this sounds like a "ask your doctor before you undertake any supplements/vitamins/diet/workout" thing, but a 5 minute phone call could save a lot of headaches)

[anbdesigns]

Just an update..

I still haven't gotten it looked at. I bought a code reader but it's no good unless the check engine light comes on I guess.

The stalling out only happens when I apply the brake at about 25mph, rarely around 32mph. If I let it coast at that speed(25mph), it won't do it.
So what I try to do is brake early until it gets down to 25, let it coast til it's under 25, then apply the brake again.

I figured this would be a little more helpful for pinpointing the problem.

Thoughts?

Also I haven't had any problems with it not-starting since I shifted the battery some & wiggled the wires.

[inatalonIXLR8]

Try strapping down the battery. It sounds like it might be grounding out on the possitive terminal. Deffinately something somewhere is shorting out.

[corning_d3]

Maybe the battery rocking during the turn and grounding out?

[anbdesigns]

I just did another internet search & found this topic
http://www.sr20forum.com/showthread.php?t=91858

Sounds like you guys are on target!
I'll check it out asap.

Thanks!

After re-reading, the one topic(#8) that described my problem exactly - it was a loose belt(alternator?). I'll check those too.

--edit #2--
I tightened the ground. It was a little loose. I'll see if the problem persists tonight

[corning_d3]

It seems all chevrolet products with side post terminals get real cranky even if they are the slightest bit loose..

[anbdesigns]

No problems at all tonight.
I'll post back if it happens again (if it's not battery related)


Thanks again.