2001 caviler help!

[Stormmy]

I have a 2001 caviler and it has over 100k miles, It had a rattle noise and the when I stepped on the gas it boged out and wont start, My friend put it in Drive and we could still push it, it didnt go in gear, any help we would apprectiate it, I am a single mom on disability and don't have alot of money for repairs, its 50 just for a machanic to look at it,I live in Illinios

[J-Ri]

The rattle is probably unrelated to it stalling. Start by checking for fuel pressure and spark. Both a fuel pressure gauge and a spark tester should be available to borrow from most auto parts stores. For the fuel pressure tester, be sure it comes with the adapters to connect it at the quick connect fittings. With the 2.2 that will be under the car on the fuel filter, same place for some 2.4s, but other 2.4s you can disconnect the line under the hood right before the fuel rail. You'll also need a set of disconnect tools for the fuel line. Also check fuses, and if no fuel pressure, check the relay. If there's no fuel pressure and the fuses/relay are good, check for power and ground at the connector at the right rear of the tank. If I remember right, the gray wire is F/P power and one of the black wires is ground. If equipped with ABS, make sure you have the connector that has wires that go up over the fuel tank. If it is a bad fuel pump, replace the filter at the same time, a neglected filter will raise the pressure at the pump at make it fail prematurely.

Being able to push the car with it in drive is normal, it has to do with the construction of the torque converter. A/T's don't lock in when in gear like a M/T does, that's why there's a park position.