1996 Chevrolet Cavalier: engine overheating

Filed Sep 9, 2010 · Engine · 226,250 miles · CA

I purchased a 1996 chevy cavalier in 1999 and from the beginning had problems with the check engine light continually on etc. From 1999 to sept 2010 - I took it to several chevy dealers while it was under warranty and they never fixed the problem completely and the lights remained on. I was told to put fuel injection cleaner in it by one car dealer of course that didn't work. Years later and many repairs, engine rebuilt, thermostat replaced, water pumps, fans etc.. Four catalytic converters I still have the same problem - loss of power, car shutting off and leaving me in intersection, freeways etc.. Causing a very dangerous situation, I have over these years become very frustrated the codes read o2 sensors, the cat converter pieces fall apart easily causing very costly repairs because these defective parts clog the air flow causing overheating and loss of power, it should not be this difficult or cost to keep this car in repair order. Cat converters, sensors, head gaskets, seals, water pumps, sticking thermostats etc.. Continually replaced and still the same on going problem with no hope of ever finally fixing this dangerous defective problem.

Filed Apr 29, 2002 · Engine · FL

Vehicle is overheating. While driving to keep vehicle from overheating has to turn fan on for air conditioning. Dealer contacted.

Filed Mar 18, 2002 · Engine · OH

While driving vehicle started to overheat. Consumer had a mechanic look at vehicle. Mechanic stated that there was a leak in front end of engine. *ak

Filed Jun 27, 2001 · Engine · CA

Head gasket blewout. Also, engine is overheating and the coolant is leaking fluid. Consumer noted there was a tsb listed for this vehicle for same type of problem. Please provide any further details.

Filed May 5, 2000 · Engine · MD

Feb 2000 I replaced a faulty water pump continued to have slow coolant leak...may 2000 head gasket was found to be bad.no recall and extended warranty was .....not purchased buy the extended warranty is what I recommend.

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 Oct 26, 1999 · Engine · MI

The first problem with my cavalier was about 3 months after I bought the car. I was idling in a drive-thru when all the lights on the concole flashed and the car went dead. The car wouldn't restart. I pushed it to the side and waited a few minutes and tried again. I called a tow truck and several hours later, the tow truck arrived and at that time, the car started. I called taylor jeep (where I have a service contract) and they said it might have just been bad gas or the car overheating and to not worry about it since the car is running. Four days later, I was driving on the expressway when the lights on the console flashed and the car lost all power including anit-lock brakes and powersteering. I coasted to the side of the road and the car wouldn't restart. I then called a tow truck and had the car towed to taylor jeep. After checking out the car, the services department couldn't find anything wrong. The car started fine. I explained that there was obviously something wrong if the car shut down, and to please continue looking. Taylor jeep ended up replacing the starter?! On march 23, 1999, I was driving on the expressway, and again, the lights flashed on the console and the car lost all power. I pulled to the side of the road and the car wouldn't restart. I had the vehicle towed back to taylor jeep. This time they repaired the ignition switch in the steering column. Then on march 31, 1999 while driving on the expressway, the exact same problem occured. I again had the car towed to taylor jeep. This time they didn't find anything to fix. I picked up the car after 5 days. After the last incident, I didn't have any problems with the car until october 20, 1999. While accelerating onto the expressway, going about 40mph, the lights flashed on the console and the car shut down. It restarted after about 20 minutes. I drove it to taylor jeep and this time they sent it to taylor chevrolet. After testing, they were unable to find anything wrong with the car.

Filed May 25, 1999 · Brakes, Engine · OH

Vehicle bought w/bad water pump which was leaking badly. Brakes in rear were making metal to metal noise & were slushy. When vehicle was driven any great distance & then stoppped, it would overheat & then stall out. Hard to restart. Odometer numbers not even & out of sync. Water hose is leaking.

Filed Feb 24, 1999 · Engine · NY

Head gasket failed several times causing vehicle to overheat, one incident destroyed water pump.

Filed Jan 29, 1999 · Engine · NY

While driving at 45 MPH and without prior warning engine head gasket blew out , causing vehicle to overheat. Consumer had to pull to the side of the road.

Filed Jan 15, 1999 · Engine · IL

Coolant loss, low coolant light, coolant leak odor. Dealership mechanic verifed that it is leaking and damaging the head gasket. He also told me that the 95 cavalier have this problem on recall. My car was manufactured 11/95, has the same head gasket as the 95, but chevrolet will not pay to fix it.

Filed May 28, 1996 · GA

Engine check light comes on continuously, vehicle overheats.