92 Cavalier won't start unless wheel is cranked to RIGHT

[jipsi]

For about a year, my 1992 Cavalier RS sedan has been problematic about every 30th startup. The key would turn, click, but nothing would happen (although lights, radio, wipers, horn, etc. indicated battery was fine?).
After much trial and error, my son and I discovered that if he pressed down on the battery cable connector (I'm not sure what it's technically called) while I keyed the ignition, it would start. Further, I discovered that if I kept the steering wheel cranked to the right, while parking, before shutting the engine off, it would start with no problem later. It seemed only if the car had been parked with the wheels to the left, or a little left of straight, would it not start.

I know I should've had this looked at a long time ago, but money's tight (I'm a single mom, and disabled from a spine injury from a 97 car accident) and we got a little lazy after we'd found the 'workaround'...
Well, last week, I must've parked with my wheels turned to the left, because it wouldn't start.
But nothing we did, at that point (pressing or twisting the battery cable, trying repeatedly, with wheels to the right, etc.), would allow the car to start. It would only click. We even tried starting it in Neutral. Battery appeared fine (less than 6 months old), everything electrical worked...

We had it towed in to a local shop (not much of a choice in our small town, and 30 miles away from the nearest bigger and better market), I explained the problem, and the mech surmised it "might be the starter/ignition"...
The next day they told me to pick my car up, that it was "fixed": they had only had to clean and tighten the connecting cable to the battery, they said.

When I started the car, it shuddered and quaked violently, running so rough it felt like the engine was struggling (think 'running on two cylinders out of eight'); the mech told me some fluids may have leaked here and there during the tow, to drive it a bit and it should clear up.
It did not.



Angry, frustrated, I parked the Cavalier at home with wheels to the right, deciding to get another mech's advice on the poor running condition of my "fixed" car on Monday (it was late in the afternoon). At least they fixed the "starting" problem, I consoled myself.

Next morning, Saturday, I needed to run a few errands, hang the rough ride I expected.
No start.
NOT EVEN A CLICK, now.



Have tried everything, even jumping (by then I was worried I had nearly run the battery down just trying to get the car started), but no go.
The Cav is dead-dead-dead in the ignition/startup department.

Before I beg for a loan I can't afford to pay off (and with late bills already needing attention because of the money I've already diverted to "fixing" my car, a total loss), I thought I'd ask for some kind, knowledgeable advice here...

Any ideas?

The car has given me great service over the years, more so than any other I've ever owned. It's auto-transmission and has 112,000+ miles on it, but has run beautifully, gets good gas mileage (about 21 to 25mpg!), never left me stranded on the side of the road with even so much as a flat tire, and the fluids are always right where they should be. It uses almost no oil, has never overheated, never had a transmission problem.
With the exception of a flukey electrical glitch now and then (since the first week I owned the car: either the overhead dome light works and the horn doesn't, or the horn works and the dome light won't.) that never warranted much attention in the grand scheme of things (IMHO), the car has been a GEM.
Except for the starting problem of this past year, and, now, ummm... well, the starting problem X 10...



Help... anyone? It will cost me $125 to have the Cav towed into the bigger town just to have a different mech look at it, and I'd like to have an idea as to what to expect... ;-(

Sorry so long... I wanted to make sure I covered all the details...


hopefully,
jipsi

[Helmuth48]

Yes...it is was a story. I had to stop and get two more beers to finish reading it. And Donk....you had him in tears. The last time I saw him cry, was when he heard Olivia-Newton-John was gay!!! Broke is big heart !!!

Have never heard about a car only starting when the wheel is cranked to the right. Unless something is opening or shorting in steering column

You live in a small town up north ?. Got a Advance Auto or AutoZone or similar.??
Here is a bucket list to check. (** Can be checked for FREE at Advance Auto or AutoZone)

1. Validate the battery is good. No matter how old it is !!!!! Have it checked under load. **
2. Have the Alternator checked also under load **
3 Replace the battery cable ( Pos and Neg with new ones). Look to see if the steering arms are getting caught in the cables ?? if so...route them so they do not touch.
4 Make sure the Neg cable is has a good ground on the Engine ( No rust) You live up North....your car is rusted.
5. Remove the Solenoid /Starter and have it checked. **
6. If good...make sure the cable from the Pos. on battery is clean/tight on the starter motor.

The car not running right is another issue. Although when you disconnect the battery, the car's computer must reset and it MAY run rough for a short time until it resets.

112,000 miles....You are lucky to have not replaced an number of parts.

Last remark....once this is ALL GOOD....then look at the ignition switch !!! A good mechanic can test it.

Cheers Lass .....And please don't make Donk cry !!! I have to get him choke him with a Arm-bar hold to get him to stop !!!!

JzJzz....and the Man from Down Under...

[Mangoamerican]

i had a similar problem... my car wouldnt start when i parked on a hill. turns out it was the ground going to the engine - might as well check that!