2003 Cavalier Starting Problem--PLEASE help. Please?

[AriadneRaynor]

Of course..my husband's in Iraq, so my car dies...

Anyway...I have a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. It's got less than 35K miles on the engine. This morning, I tried to turn the car on and it wouldn't start. This is the FIRST time this has happened. Yesterday, the car worked great. Every day up until today, the car worked great.

Now, the car won't start at ALL. This is sudden and very unexpected.

I thought it might be the battery. My father came to my house and jumped the car, but it still would not start. The beeping occurs to signal putting seat belts on and the lights will turn on, so the battery seems to be charged fine.

The starter seems to be working as the car "attempts" to turn over. No smell of fuel or flooding. There have been NO previous warning lights whatsoever. After first attempting to start the car (and it wouldn't), the "check engine" light came on for the first time, but that was it.

Of course, the dealership here is not open on the weekends, so I must wait until Monday to have someone look at the car. I'll have to get the car towed, too.

Does ANYONE have any clue what the hell might be wrong? I know that I can't fix it myself, but it would give me ease of mind to have an idea of what the problem *might* be and how much it might end up costing me before I take it to the dealer on Monday.

Thanks in Advance!
Am

[FormulaLT1]

What do you mean by attempt to turn over. Does the starter click or actually turn the engine?. If it turns the engine and its not starting I would think that either your fuel pump is gone or you have a ignition problem.

John

[AriadneRaynor]

John...

Here's what is happening..

1. I turn the ignition. The starter initiates. I can hear the whine as the car attempts to start.

2. The engine will "jump" like it's trying to start, but nothing else happens. I don't know if there's no spark or if there's no fuel. Either way, it's not going any further than that.

I forgot to mention that this happened one other time before...several days ago. I went out to start the car and it didn't start on the first try (very unusual, but I assumed it was because of the severely cold weather). It started up on the second try, though...so eh? Then, it ran fine until yesterday when it suddenly wouldn't run at all. Don't know if the two incidents are related or not, but figured I'd tell you anyway.

I'm heartbroken. I love my car! I can't stand that he's not working!

[FormulaLT1]

Well since you say it turns over, I would bet money on it being a fuel pump but could also be a ignition problem like a mention. You car is still under warranty right?.

John

[AriadneRaynor]

Yeah. The car only has 35K miles on it, so it should still be under warranty.

Is there any way I can check/test if it's the fuel pump (for my own ease of mind)? Any ballpark estimate on what it might cost me to get the car fixed, IF it's the fuel pump and IF there's a problem with the warranty?

Thanks, by the way, John. Your help is very appreciated!

[FormulaLT1]

Well you can start first by checking the fuse for your pump and make sure it hasn't blown. Second you can stand near the driver side rear of the vehicle(I believe its on the driver side on Cavaliers) have some one turn the ignition on without trying to start the car. You should hear a hissing. Just cause you hear it doesn't mean its working properly but if you hear nothing it is most likely not functioning. Good Luck.

John

[AriadneRaynor]

Well, we did the listening check on all sides of the car and never heard any hissing, so.... I'm assuming it's probably the fuel pump.

Thanks again, John!

[Classicrocjunkie]

I am going to assume its ignition related. Since fuel problem was already mentiond.

[AriadneRaynor]

I just thought I'd let you all know that it WAS the fuel pump. I got it replaced and the car is working just fine again.

Thanks for all your help!