01 Cavalier, problems starting.

[Squirrelbob]

Alright, I'll try to describe the problem best I can.


I work as in pizza delivery. Last night I took one delivery fine and came back to the store.


A little while later I went outside to take another and the car would not start. The engine was trying to start, but it wasn't firing at all. All it was giving me was the "ruh-ruh-ruh-ruh-ruh-ruh" like it normally does before it catches and starts.

I still had the radio and lights so it wasn't the battery, I try pumping the gas a time or two but that didn't fix it either.

I finally grabbed the pliers out of the backseat and took the positive cable off the battery and let the car sit for about 10 minutes. Afterwards I put the cable back on and tried to start the car. It struggled for a couple of seconds but then it started. I let it idle for a while, revved it up a few times to see how it was doing; then I turned it off and let it set a couple of seconds. I tried starting it again and it did fine.

After my shift was over I went out there and the car started up fine.


Car Info:
It's a 2.2 Automatic, 2001 Cavalier. It's had problems just like this about 4 months ago.

I let my grandfather look it over, he replaced the fuel pump first because he said it wasn't making any sound. That didn't fix the car, so I believe he ended up replacing the computer or one/some of the sensors in it(I heard him mention the map sensor.) That fixed the car up until yesterday when this happened.

If I had to take a guess, I would say that it might be a wire or connect to the computer that caused the last problems and now it's affecting the new one. That's just my guess though, I don't really know all that much about cars(that's why I'm here of course!)

Thanks!

[wht69chev]

take it to your nearest chevy service dealer and have them check for any recalls that might need to be done to your car still.
If i remember right there is a recall about that problem you are having.

[94VL]

Was there an "Anti Theft" light on the dash? Typical GM problem with their touchy key cylinder mechanism.It keeps phoney keys from starting the engine.However,it sometimes confuses real keys for phoneys.Always slide your key in smoothly and not in a hurry.I know S10s/Sonomas have this problem,dont know about later J cars.

[Squirrelbob]

I think you've hit the problem, 94VL. I didn't notice it before but the first couple of seconds when you try to crank it, the Anti-Theft light comes on.

Rather than not inserting the key well, I think it may be because I'm using a Wal-mart copy of my car key(the original was lost a few months ago.)


Is there a way to get another original key for my car?

[Squirrelbob]

Just got back from outside.


Car still wasn't cranking, and the theft light was coming on.


I got into the dashboard fuse panel and took out the BCM/Instrument Panel fuse. Tried starting the car a couple of times and nothing happened, I put the fuse back in and the car started fine with no Anti-Theft light.


I'm starting to think it may be the theft system itself.

[wht69chev]

you can take your registration into your nearest chevy parts dealer or service and they can cut you a key from the vin #