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1996 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical complaints

Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 100, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Apr 9, 2002 · Electrical · HI

Ignition switch will not connect when applying key inside of ignition. Dealership is aware of problem.

Filed Jul 31, 2001 · Electrical · FL · fire

Vehicle was sitting all day until the evening when consuemr went out and inside of the vehicle was filled with smoke. Consumer found out that wiriing harness under dash caught on fire. Manufacturer was not concerned with incident, but interested to know what consumer was seeking.

Filed Jul 2, 2001 · Electrical · OK

When stating vehicle saw smoke coming from steering column. With no prior warning vehicle caught on fire. Contacted dealer ,and dealer stated nothing could be done.

Filed Apr 30, 2001 · Electrical · MD

It all began the summer of 1999, the starter broke and kept being replaced because the car would chew it up and spit it out like a bad organ. My attempts to fix it were with firestone and shell. Then I took it to the dealer where they discovered there was a chipped flywheel. The car was fine up until recently it wouldn't start on 3/10/01 so the dealer replaced the ignition. On 3/15/2001 it had poor acceleration so the dealer replaced the ignition wires. On 4/25/01 car wouldn't start again so the dealer replaced the ignition module. I've paid over $4000.00 in repairs since 1999 for the issue of the car not starting.I have been using jerrys chevrolet and heritage chevrolet.

Filed Mar 4, 2001 · Acceleration, Electrical · VT

The head gasket blew while the vehicle was stopped, the check engine light was illuminated for 2 years. Nlm

Filed Jan 8, 2001 · Electrical · TX · fire

While vehicle was parked for two hours a fire ignited in steering column cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Filed Dec 28, 2000 · Electrical · MO

Consumer states that the dashboard is not secured by anything, that it can be lifted out by hand, the consumer has been experiencing electrical problems with the wiring and possibly this could be one of the reasons with, the alternator has been replaced and is still not working correctly.

Filed Nov 28, 2000 · Electrical · NJ · fire

The vehicle was parked for five days, consumer went outside and the vehicle was running without the key in the ignition, consumer went to turn the vehicle off and noticed smoke from the steering wheel area, vehicle was destroyed by fire.

Filed Nov 27, 2000 · Electrical · GA

The car shuts off and/or will not crank .

Filed Nov 13, 2000 · Electrical · WI

My right headlight is out due to melted wiring, which in talking with my local chevrolet dealer has been a pretty common problem in these cars. As far as I can see chevrolet hasn't issued a safety recall on this problem yet although it is clearly a safety issue. Any input you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Filed Nov 3, 2000 · Acceleration, Electrical · PA

Engine stalled intermittently while traveling at highway speed. Also, on ten occasions, accelerator pedal had operated by itself. Dealer notified, and unable to correct the problem. Please feel free to provide any further details.

Filed Nov 2, 2000 · Electrical · IL · fire

Spontaneous fire, totally destroyed inside of car.

Filed Oct 30, 2000 · Electrical · GA · crash

When stopped or in slow speeds car stalls and it becomes difficult to steer.

Filed Oct 28, 2000 · Electrical · KS

My horn works when it wants to. I didn't work when I bought it. (we bought it used). We replaced the fuse, but it still didn't work. Then one day it just worked and continued for months. Then it stopped working again. This happen twice. So at this time the horn is still not working. My other problem was my colant light kept coming on. We would add coolant all the time. (it was never close to being empty.) it mostly happen when I was moving, but it happen while sitting still too. It would come off and on constantly. We took it to the dealership and they replaced the coolant sensor. I saw other people also had that problem.

Filed Sep 13, 2000 · Electrical · PA

It stalls in the rain some times it does hard starts ruff ideal some thing call the compter controle module or some thing just like that l got a recall notice on that. Could that have some thing to do with it it was replace.

Filed Aug 31, 2000 · Electrical · MO · crash

The horn does not always work. It has contribute to two different accidents. The first was when my car backed into another cavalier, same year, and she informed me that her horn would not honk. The second was when a car backed into me and I tried several times tohonk the horn to worn the man he was about to hit me and the horn would not work. This has caused two different accidents just in my case. The horn works occasionally, but it doesn't work more often than it does. This could really be a hazard.

Filed Aug 28, 2000 · Electrical, Fuel system · MD

Horn hasn't been working since vehicle was purchased. Fuse was replaced, but didn't remedy the problem. Dealer clamed that in different weather &temperatures it will not work. Vehicle stalled on 2 different occasions. Dealer said it was the battery & alternator the 1st time. 2nd time dealer indicated fuel pump went out.consumer had to cover the cost & felt that they should been able to detect this when they did the diagnostic reading a month ago.

Filed Aug 14, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Rear seat belt guide detached from the seat.

Filed Jun 4, 2000 · Electrical · FL

Car was parked in the garage for a several hours when the ignition seemed to be going off all by itself. The car was trying to start by itself. No keys were in the automobile at the time. The process could not be stopped even after the driver tried to turn the ignition.

Filed May 30, 2000 · Electrical · MI

Well, I am not exactly sure of what is wrong, my car stalled out after four turns of the ignition to start it up and then it wouldn't start up again. A few hours later, it started up and it didn't sound normal, it sounded terrible. As soon as someone could contact me, that would be great for I am without a car right now. Thank you. Casey six

Filed Feb 19, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · IL

Knocking noise near trunk area, burning smell constantly, panel lights always show something wrong, ets off light blinking, tilt sticks, horn defective, don't start in warm weather,popping noise in rear side, coolant leaks, power steering hoses had to be replaced because they burned up and leaked fluid onto exhaust system, window rattles when coming down, window not aligned right air comes through on both sides,alarm doesn't work 85% of the time even with new batteries, nothing but problems since june 1, 1999.

Filed Feb 11, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · NE

Engine head gasket/struts/starter/transmission/ dome light/ paint/,muffler/seats and ABS brakes have all gone badly at least once, and some have been replaced twice and are bad again. Dealer was notified several times, but refused to check or replace. No longer doing business with them due to the service. I have been having to pay for all of the services.

Filed Feb 2, 2000 · Airbags, Electrical · IN

In 53000 miles: spontaneous airbag deployment, computer failure, valve train failure.

Filed Jan 3, 2000 · Electrical · MD

Alternator failed causing vehicle to loose power and drain the battery while driving on several occasions. Nlm

Filed Nov 23, 1999 · Electrical, Engine · WI

When traveling at any speed vehicle will stall and cut without prior warning, also, dash lights are illuminated . Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced the computer chip.

Filed Nov 6, 1999 · Electrical · NY

The computer is encased in a split aluminum housing and is not hermetically sealed. This sub assembly is located in the right front of the vehicle surrounded by loose fitting plastic parts. It is subjected to moisture, dirt and in northern climates salt corrosion

Filed Oct 6, 1999 · Electrical · FL

"ets off" light and "check engine light" remain on while car is in drive. Suggested corrections do not turn lights off. In september 1997 when probelm first occurred, the PCM (on-board diagnostics) was eventually replaced. Dealer alleged they could not tell if there was a problem until part was replaced. When part was replaced, diagnotics revealed no problem. The cost to the dealer was approximately $250.00. Now (two years later) same problem seems to be happening. Dealer says no recourse except to replace module again, at owner cost. Location of module (under wheel well) is such that it is susceptible to water. Thank you. Joan moore

Filed Sep 30, 1999 · Electrical · FL

The horn is connected to the air bag module. It cannot blow unless pushed hard. Afraid air bag would deploy if pounded too hard for horn to blow. Poor design. *ak after pounding several times horn will blow with only slight pressure. After going through puddles belt slips and power steering quits, battery discharges, poor design which allows for water to splash on drive belts.

Filed Jun 16, 1999 · Electrical · IL

Sometimes during the initial start-up the car will crank . You have to remove the fuse for the theft-system and disconnect the battery cables and wait at least 30 minutes to let the computer reboot itself. This has happened two times during driving where the car accelerates by itself and then dies. And after you get it started the theft-system warning light stays on. Until you turn the car off and then back on.

Filed May 26, 1999 · Electrical · TX · fire

Aftering trying to start the vehicle twice, vehicle caught on fire in the ignition switch area and burned. The vehicle was totalled.

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