95 Cavalier start problems

[h2obabe713]

I've had my 95 Chevy Cavalier for almost 4 years now and have had the same problem the whole time. I turn the key and I hear a clicking (and soem hummung- fuel pump I think) but it wont start. It can take me as much as 50 times trying it before it finally starts. And then sometimes it starts up just fine on the first try. I know it's not the battery, the lights and the radio and everying come on. I've had the ignition switch replaced, had the starter repalced, and gone through 2 new selenoids. Once it starts, it runs perfectly fine.
Today, for the life of me, I couldn't get it started at all. For 10 minutes I kept trying over and over. The same clicking noise and humming, but would not fire at all.
I am at my wits end with this. Please Help.

[noshun]

Originally Posted by h2obabe713

I've had my 95 Chevy Cavalier for almost 4 years now and have had the same problem the whole time. I turn the key and I hear a clicking (and soem hummung- fuel pump I think) but it wont start. It can take me as much as 50 times trying it before it finally starts. And then sometimes it starts up just fine on the first try. I know it's not the battery, the lights and the radio and everying come on. I've had the ignition switch replaced, had the starter repalced, and gone through 2 new selenoids. Once it starts, it runs perfectly fine.
Today, for the life of me, I couldn't get it started at all. For 10 minutes I kept trying over and over. The same clicking noise and humming, but would not fire at all.
I am at my wits end with this. Please Help.

I would say that your starter motor conections need cleaning with sandpaper til shiny! It starts so It's gettin juice eventually. This also cost the price of a sheet of fairly abrasive sandpaper. 200 grit! Would put money on this. Either that or a bad wire going to it! But that would usually cause problems while running also. start with the connections!

[Tookie]

I agree with Noshun on this one. I expect my 94 design mimics your 95 with the oil dipstick almost directly above the selenoid connections. When i do my oil checks an occasional drip of oil will fall from the stick and onto the connections. any slight spill often finds it's way there too. Electricity and oil do not mix well, and often the wiring becomes oiled and dirty leading to poor connections on the starter motor. the sheathing will soften and oil will saturate the buisness end of the harness. Next time, have someone turn over the engine and look for a telltale puff of smoke, and/or a slight crackle on the connector. Thats how I discovered my problem, which is exactly as yours presents. Best to start at the battery connexions and clean and preen the whole assy imo. My other 94 gets a new (rebuilt) starter assy this week and I'll be paying as much attn to the harness as to the mech install. Be careful to make sure the wiring on both independent connections to the selenoid do not short to each other when reconnecting the assy or you'll have a starter engage as you reconnect the battery cables! Makes for an interesting response!
GL

Tookie