1998 Chevrolet Cavalier: won't start

Filed Jul 13, 2011 · Electrical · 142,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet cavalier. The contact stated the anti-theft system failed. When the theft system failed the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was told that the pass lock system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 142,000.

Filed Feb 15, 2005 · Electrical, Fuel system · 80,000 miles · OH

When the weather began to warm up last summer my car started to have problems starting. I would turn the key and my engine would turn and turn but not fire correctly. After a few tries, it would finally start up. I didn't think any thing of this problem at first, but after a while it started misfiring like this quite freqently after the weather began to get really warm and humid outside and I had previously driven my vehicle that day. I have had all the recalls fixed on my car, including the recall for the ignition switch, but this problem with starting my car still persisted. One day I went out to my car and it didn't start at all and it ended up my battery had died and I don't know if this had anything to do with the above stated problem, but I'm sure the rough starts were not good on my battery either. I finally made an appointment with the local chevrolet dealer after I had them install a new battery and they kept it for a couple days and couldn't find anything wrong with it. Not suprisingly, the day after I got my car back, it started rough again. I bought one of those manuals that helps you identify and correct automobile problems yourself, so I have replaced coolant sensors, spark plugs, spark plug wires, and fluids, but the problem still persisted. It is now february 2005 and the weather is cooler outside and I haven't had any problems thus far. I'm afraid when it starts to get warmer outside, though, that I'll begin to have this problem again. Is there any help that I can get with this problem? Are there any recalls or has anybody else had the same problem? Thank you for any help.

Filed Apr 24, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · 76,968 miles · GA

I have had my 1998 chevrolet cavalier for almost 5 years now; in feb. 2003 I had to pay 321.25 to have an ignition switch replaced in my car (which was an recall issue); I asked martin burks chevrolet on forest park parkway in forest park, ga if the ignition problem was a recall issue and bob allen, the auto part service manager lied to me and stated that it was not a recall issue, so I paid $321.25 for repair service to find out a year later that the ignition system problem was a recall issue. So I want to inform you that chevrolet has auto repair service centers with workers that lies to consumers just to take their money. At this present time, my 1998 chevrolet cavalier will not start because something is blocking the fuel from reach the motor/engine (which is another recall problem) but not according to the chevrolet manufacturer; my wheels feels as if they are wobbling sometimes; and my steering column is making a squeaking sound when I turn it left or right. By putting in the VIN number, I found out that there has been four recalls on this vehicle, but the manufacturer states that there has been only one recall, someone is again lying and I don't believe it is the carfax report. I feel that gm should extend the warranties on their vehicles longer than they do because their vehicles are learned to be defective before a lifetime of 5 years is up (pre years lifespan) for any vehicle and the consumer should not be made to purchase the warranties, but gmpp (general motors protection plan) should reissue an extended warranty when someone have had as many problems with their vehicles as I have within these last two years. I feel that these headaches and expenses could have been avoided if martin burks had fixed my car the first time; I also feels that martin burks chevrolet is an untrustworthy service center. I will also be contacting the better business bureau to inform them of the unsatisfied service I have had with martin burks chevrolet service center.

Filed Aug 15, 2003 · Fuel system · AR

Problems with vehicle's fuel pump.*mr the vehicle blew fuses and didn't start until it sat and cooled off which was due to the bag fule pump.

Filed Dec 10, 2002 · Engine · NY

The car is equipped with an internal anti-theft system, which, as stated in the owner's manual if the correct key is not used to start the car, fuel is cut off to the engine. The theft system light on the dashboard then flashes, and you are unable to start the car for (as I found out on my own) exactly 10 minutes. Since I purchased the car brand new 5 years ago. This scenario has happened to me dozens of times. I start the car (with the correct key, of course) and the car does not start-the theft system light blinks on and off for 10 minutes, and I can not start the car during this time...if you attempt to start the car during this time, you are forced to wait even longer before the light stops flashing and you can restart the engine. On the occasions that I brought the car back to the dealer, they either told me nothing was wrong, or they thought it was the external alarm, or they just said it was fixed...meanwhile, they had no idea what the feature was-I had to tell them that it was described in the owner's manual. Long story short, this theft system has caused me to be late for work numerous times, and has caused many inconveniences for me! Over the last few months, it has been happening more and more frequently. I spoke to the manufacturer and the dealer, and neither were aware of the feature, or the problems associated with it. The dealer said to bring it in, but for me to take a day off from work is difficult-especially since they probably won't fix a thing. I am desperate for some help with what I consider a major defect in this car! Dt

Filed Oct 19, 2002 · Electrical · TX · fire

On september 3, 2002, I tried starting the car in the morning around 11:15 am. The car did not start after multiple attempts. The car was left in the apartment parking lot. The car door was opened around 2:00 pm and black smoke came out all over from inside the car. There was a fire flame on the dash-board from the hole inside the steering. The car caught on fire as it received oxygen from the wind blowing. Immediately 911 was called. Fire department came down within 5 minutes and blew out the fire. A police complaint was filed. Also we contacted general motors and they inspected the car after the fire. Finally gm accepted full responsibility for the failure after 14 business days. Gm reimbursed our insurance company all the expenses incurred. Dt

Filed Jun 6, 2002 · Electrical · CA

Vehicle will not crank, no power to starter. Dealer replaced ignition switch. There is a recall 02v070000 regarding replacement of the ignition switch for previous models, however consumer's vehicle is not included in recall.