99 Cavalier - Engine quits unexpectedly

[amcswebs]

Time to address my newest problem which may prove to be harder than the last one..

Over the past 2 weeks there has been a couple of problems that MAY or may not be related. I believe that they are..

1. Occassionaly, when starting the car it cranks and cranks, but will not start. When you release the key you will hear what sounds like a relay clicking a few times somewhere in behind the instrument cluster (or perhaps the firewal) to the left of the steering column.

Turn the key off.. try again and it MIGHT happen again or the car may start beautifully as it usually does. This problem is does not happen every time which means it may be hard to solve.

2. SECOND and more dangereous, As you are driving down the road the car suddenly shuts itself off... All the dash lights come on. Quickly shift into neutral, turn the key off and restart has worked both times... HOWEVER, I believe this is just the start of something that is about to go and it is a very serious and potentially dangereous problem as you loose your power brakes and steering.

Any suggestions, comments and/or thoughts? PLEASE help me to solve this one as my wife will likely never drive the car again if I don't.. LOL

[milikin]

I am having the same problem with my 97 Z24. Sometimes it just quits driving down the road. I don't meen "quits driving" quits while I'm driving. Sometimes when you go to start it the gauges wack out, there is a Buzzing/clicking sound from the flasher unit (tried replacing it, didn't work) and like yours, a clicking sound from under the hood, drivers side like a relay going on and off. The check engine light and the EFS light come on a lot also. Have not found anyone, anywhere that has been able to give me any advice. Good Luck I keep trying, Its my wifes car and she reminds me everyday...

[milikin]

Originally Posted by amcswebs

Time to address my newest problem which may prove to be harder than the last one..

Over the past 2 weeks there has been a couple of problems that MAY or may not be related. I believe that they are..

1. Occassionaly, when starting the car it cranks and cranks, but will not start. When you release the key you will hear what sounds like a relay clicking a few times somewhere in behind the instrument cluster (or perhaps the firewal) to the left of the steering column.

Turn the key off.. try again and it MIGHT happen again or the car may start beautifully as it usually does. This problem is does not happen every time which means it may be hard to solve.

2. SECOND and more dangereous, As you are driving down the road the car suddenly shuts itself off... All the dash lights come on. Quickly shift into neutral, turn the key off and restart has worked both times... HOWEVER, I believe this is just the start of something that is about to go and it is a very serious and potentially dangereous problem as you loose your power brakes and steering.

Any suggestions, comments and/or thoughts? PLEASE help me to solve this one as my wife will likely never drive the car again if I don't.. LOL

I have a 1997 Cavalier that has been doing the same thing. After several months now of trying to figure it out... No help from the dealers of course, I finally norowed it down to the ignition switch itself. I then took the ignition conection apart and cleaned everything with electrical motor cleaner. Then using the little red spray tube that comes with the can of cleaner, I sprayed some cleaner in the lock itself. Insert the spray tube into the ignition switch where the key goes in and spray some cleaner. Try inserting the spray tube so it sprays at different angles. Let everything dry, put back together, Have not had any trouble since then. Good Luck