car won't stay running

[Jayk35]

I have a 2002 cavalier it won't stay running. It turns over and shuts off right away.

[Denman123a]

Originally Posted by Jayk35

I have a 2002 cavalier it won't stay running. It turns over and shuts off right away.

All I can tell you is "good luck" ... ! .... I've been chasing this one for two days with no joy, ... here's my tale of woe:

the key will turn on the ignition, power windows etc, but won't turn far enough to crank the motor. I did the "learn the key" routine per the passive anti-theft sequence about 27 times, no luck. When in "run" I can crank the motor under the hood (B+ to S) and it starts for a few seconds then dies. Removing the ignition switch and turning it manually also makes it run a few seconds then die. My OBDII reader gets nothing, dead, key on or not. The reader does work in my other car. I've been chasing this one for two days and am like , .... any thoughts would be welcome prior to dragging this thing down to the dreaded GM dealer, .... thx, ... Dennis

With the shops open tomorrow I expect to gather some useful input on this and will post it here. My first move will be to price a new PCM and replace all my fuses whether they look good or not. I've been fooled that way before. I wish us both luck !!

[Jayk35]

Originally Posted by Denman123a

All I can tell you is "good luck" ... ! .... I've been chasing this one for two days with no joy, ... here's my tale of woe:

the key will turn on the ignition, power windows etc, but won't turn far enough to crank the motor. I did the "learn the key" routine per the passive anti-theft sequence about 27 times, no luck. When in "run" I can crank the motor under the hood (B+ to S) and it starts for a few seconds then dies. Removing the ignition switch and turning it manually also makes it run a few seconds then die. My OBDII reader gets nothing, dead, key on or not. The reader does work in my other car. I've been chasing this one for two days and am like , .... any thoughts would be welcome prior to dragging this thing down to the dreaded GM dealer, .... thx, ... Dennis

With the shops open tomorrow I expect to gather some useful input on this and will post it here. My first move will be to price a new PCM and replace all my fuses whether they look good or not. I've been fooled that way before. I wish us both luck !!

I wish us both luck to .... anything you find out would be helpful to me too.....thanks

[Denman123a]

Originally Posted by Jayk35

I wish us both luck to .... anything you find out would be helpful to me too.....thanks

Hey Jayk35, ... mine's resolved ; here's a copy-paste synopsis:
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Problem resolved, .... thanks folks who helped, particularly Manicmechanix, ... turned out to be the keylock coming apart a bit making the key hard to turn. The disturbance around the key invoked the Passlock system and there I was. I forced the lock to turn to "start" with a BIT of help of a wrench, it started in "theft" mode and I was able to limp down to Mr Goodwrench who fixed the lock and cleared the theft codes for one hour labor. All's well that ends well.
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It does not all apply to your current situation but here are a few pointers from my recent experience: the start-quit situation results from there not being a correct signal sent from the Passlock system (in the key cylinder) to the PCM (aka "brainbox" or "Powertrain Control Module"). One remedy which may work in your case is the "key learn" procedure I found on other forums: 1) using your normal ignition key(this is important) turn the ignition to "on", and leave it for over ten minutes. 2) remove the key for ten minutes. 3) start the car. If this worked you're home free. The Passlock system involves the keylock analyzing the metallurgy in your key and giving the "OK" to the PCM and allowing a proper start. Somebody said do this procedure three times. Let us know how you make out. If it doesn't work we can escalate the diagnosis ...