On thursday, may 31, 2001, the vehicle ailed to start and was jump started. We then drove home (5 mins' drive away) and parked the vehcle in our carport. About 5 mins later a neighbor came to tell us that the vehicle was on fire. The fire originated in the steering wheel column (probably due to a problem with the ignition) and destroyed the ignition, wiper switch, turn signal switch and the covers. Additional damage was done while trying to put out the fire. The fire brigade was called to the scene. The incident could have been much more serious if the fire had not been spotted so quickly.
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 107, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Consumer had just gotten home and parked vehicle. 5-10 minutes later, horn was blowing. Consumer looked outside front end of vehicle was on fire. Dashboard and steering column were completely destroyed. Chevrolet dealer said they couldn't find anything wrong. Therefore, they wouldn't be liable. Allstate insurance adjuster took one look,and could tell it was an electrical fire. Chevrolet dealer was not responding to insurance adjuster. Vehicle was under extended warranty when it caught on fire.*ak engine light illuminated, dealer had replaced the oil pump, solenoid, and exhaust however light still illuminated. Battery light illuminated. Windshield wiper skips and chatters across windshield, dealer replaced blade. Trunk would not open from inside lever, compartment lid release broke. Clicking noise was heard when turning steering wheel, dealer could not find problem.
Defect 1: ABS light would come on when making a left hand turn. Abs would no longer activate while light was on. Defect 2: alternator--went out while driving in city traffic, rush hour. Had previously asked dealer to check, but they claimed it was functioning properly. Defect 3: rack and pinion steering assembly--went out shortly after alternator, while driving in the dealership parking lot. Defect 4: timing chain tensioner--technician said this caused major engine damage--gears, head, etc. Defect 5: horn--has worked sporadically, at best, for the last year and a half. Seemed like a short.
Horn was inoperable which could cause a problem if needed in an emergency situation. Also, windshield has spots on inside and outside. Consumer has contacted dealer. *ak rubber cover on accelerator refuses to stay on.
Horn actived by itself at non stop until it did not work any more. Then, every night horn used to go off in middle of night. Presently, air bag is showing punctured problems.
While driving vehicle would stall out at least 3 or 4 times a week after it had been sitting 6 hours or longer. Had taken vehicle to 4 different dealerships, and each mechanic could not resolve the problem. Problem was consistent.
While driving vehicle completely shut down without warning, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
I have called this morning (12/06/00) to the federal safety agency, you said you will send me a form to fill out. But then I got into this website. So I would like to file and document asap becasue I feel very unsafe while driving. I am sure my vehicle has a defect or problem which could cause an accident or injury or death to myself and others. The problem first appeared in early july/00: soon after starting the car, warning lights (oil pressure and charging system) lit up and the car stalled and lost power. Power brake was gone, and I was heading down a steep slope! Luckily I managed to stop the car without causing an accident. I can restart the car and drive on. It happened 2 times more and I took it to the dealer to check. It cannot repeat the condition, so nothing was done. For the next short while nothing like that happened, although several times 2 other warning lamps will lit up (enhanced traction system off and malfunction indicator). I called the dealer to make an appointment but the lights will go off, and I cancelled the appointment... On the night of 11/28/00, the same dangerous situation occurred again. Since the dealership was not immediately available, I took it to a mechanic who ran a computer test on my car, and found taht faulty code #704 had occurred intermittently in my transmision system. But again, the mechanic cannot duplicate the condition, so cannot fix anything. I called gm's customer assistance and the dealer to see what I can do. The advice is that there is no similar incidents reported. And I just have to wait for the condition to happen again somehow. But the dilemma is that even if the stalling happens, the car can restart, then the condition will not exist and even if I bring/tow it to the dealer, they won't know what to fix!! So I have no recourse to take except to drive the car around with this danger on my mind all the time! There must be a better way to have the car fixed or the matter resolved, I would think/hope? Thankyou.
Vehicle continually stalling. Several trips to dealer and the dealer has been unable to identify problem. Error codes p0 171 and p0 507, repairs have been unsuccessful.
Consumer had a computer chip replaced 2 months ago because the vehicle would not start, dealer believes it's something electrical but is unable to find the problem and had to send a part away to be serviced. .
My car has not started 4 times. I keep it mantained as schedualed. I have taken it to the dealership I brought it from, but they have charged me to much money and always tell me nothing is wrong. If someone jumps my car it works fine, but I have to jumpstart it in order to get it running again. What could be wrong?
Short in the dash and unable to find.
The original delco battery leaked acid from the positive side terminal. This is a risk for a chemical burn and corrosion to the chassis. This is my third new gm car that had the original delco battery leak out the side positive terminal. I believe this is a problem with factory original delco batteries. The first time was with a 91 cadillac sedan deville, the second was with a 93 chevrolet silverado 3500 dually truck. I believe delco batteries have a serious design flaw that is ongoing. Gm delco does not appear to have fixed the design flaw. These three batteries leaked when they were three years old. I sold the 91 cadillac and bought a 99 cadillac. I don't trust the battery and plan to pull the battery at 24 months before it leaks acid. I will never buy a delco replacement. I still have the cavilier battery sitting in a puddle of acid in the garage. Let me know if you need a picture or if somebody needs to see it.
Horn: has never worked from the time the car was received. Have had the dealer fix it 3 times but it still doesn't work. Heater fan: failed during the winter of 1997. Past warranty period?? Have not gotten it fixed yet. Engine problem: stalls intermittently while driving after the car has warmed up, especially when coming to a stop. Will hesitate and jerk while driving it. Have replaced: spark plug wires, plugs, fuel filter, fuel pump and have had the catalytic converter checked. Problem is not resolved. Unable to drive it more than 2 miles. Ignition: key would not turn in ignition/ replaced by dealer x 3.
Battery leaked acid onto the engine compartment which could have caused a fire. Also, right side mirror fell off/water pump malfunctioned, and windshield washer motor broke. Please provide further information.
If moisture gets into fuse box, windshield wipers and radio will be inoperative while in use, which may cause visual difficulty and resultin a crash. Manufacturer not contacted. Please provide further information.
Drivers door misadjusted causing water to leak inside of vehicle. Nlm
Have had many problems with car - at 20,000 - the dealer replaced the front brakes and machined rotors, after I requested they be checked due to squeaking. Service covered under warranty. At 30,000 - the battery failed on car while parked. Had car towed to dealership and replaced battery. Dealer stated that there was a faulty battery cell. Service covered under warranty. At 40,000 miles, horn has failed. Currently negotiating with dealer to replace without cost. Have always had ABS problems - car will buck and jerk under certain wet pavement conditions when ABS should not activate. Concerned about this - but cannot afford cost of replacing ABS. Dealer has looked at brakes and said nothing about ABS problems. Have banging/clanging noise from right rear of car when car is cold. Unsure what causes this. After reading the consumer complaints and defects on this website, believe that my car has these same defects. Frightened that my car is now incredibly unreliable and may catch fire like other cars listed. Suggestions?
Complete failure in control module - all indicator lights on dash on & engine races in idle as well as park - acceleration without using accelerator pedal
On july 5th of this year my car started making a strange nose when starting it. I took the car to my local chevrolet dealer so that the and let them listen to the noise and narrow down the problem as to what might be the problem. The said that it sounded like either the flywheel or the starter, I then took the car to my menachic and he told me the same thing, I was going to take the car to him as some as I could be without my car and he told me not to start the car any more that necessary. Before I could find time to take the car to the shop whatever the problem was compleately failed and I had to have my car towed to the shop. This car should not have started problems because even though it has 46,000 miles the majority of those miles are highway miles which dose not require much starting of the car. I think that there is a major defect in my cars started system that should have not of occured to a car this new. When I bought this car it was mainly for the reputation of the cavalier as a relibale car that would last me for many years.
My horn suddenly went off and stuck for no reason when I got in my car (before I even started it). I had someone disconnect the wiring for the horn and that person told me he could smell something coming from the air bag. I brought it to the dealership where I bought it and was told that it was most likely an electrical problem and had nothing to do with the horn. I would like to know what my rights are and what I can do so this can be fixed. I do not have much money as I just became laid off so I can use any kind of help. Thank you in advance for any help!
November 13, 1998 car would not start in morning. Called for service, able to get car started before tow truck arrived. Took car in to service department, they said they could not duplicate the problem, charged $70 and sent home. February 1999, ignition failed two mornings in a row, again problem cleared up before tow truck arrived. Dealer unable to give any further explanation. February, 1999 horn ceased functioning, checked fuses all seem ok. Scheduled to take car in for service in early april.
On may 29 1998 my cars ets/ engine check light came on, and I took it to a chevrolet dealer to find out what the problem was. They told me that it was the number 2 engine cylinder misfiring, and they tried to fix the problem. Within the next few days I was back for the same problem. This time the called the technical assistant for help, and they did this another time as they did not fix the problem. I then move to ft. Polk la. As I am in the military. On 1 jan 9, the same problem started up again. This time they did the same thing the other shop did. I have had my car in the shop for a total of 4 times that they have worked on it, replacing the cylinder cap/fuel injector and coil housing. And they talked to the technical assistantce personnel at chevrolet. The last time I had my car in the shop was 29jan 99, and they hooked a computer up to it. Drove it for a week to try to creat the problem so they could take a picture of the system. But the lights never came on. So they gave me back my car with the problem still not fixed, and the chevrolet corp. Won't do any thing about the problem, but continue to work on it under the warranty. I have been told that they can't fix the problem, and the technical assistants are out of suggestions. I have filed a complaint with the chevrolet corp, and feel that nothing will be done about my problem. I feel that they have had several attempts to fix the problem and can't , and they won't replace the car.
Battery dead. Yh
Battery died. Yh
Ignition switch failed. Nlm
While driving in traffic the vehicle stall and the engine completely shuts down. Dealer replaced the ignition coil module which has not corrected the problem. Latest repair attempt was for a short in the PCM ignition circuit, which appears to have solved the problem. *ak
While driving the vehicle bucks at one point as if it lacks gas and it also stalls. Dealer has been contacted. *ak consumer recieved recall to replaced PCM. Pcm replaced 4 times however problem still exist. Consumer received recall to replace the ignition switch.
Spark splug failed causing engine problems.
Front brake pads/rotor wore out, causing vibration when brakes are applied. Also dealer replaced engine mounts/ignition switch. Brake line was found rubbing against axle shaft and was fixed. In addition, front end shakes/vibrates.
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