2000 Chevrolet Cavalier: engine overheating

Filed Mar 16, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 50,000 miles · GA

Purchased used 2000 cavalier in 2006. First problem (which has continued for 5 years) is that the service light will come on when the car is cranked unless the headlights are first turned on. If you turn the headlights off while driving, the service light comes on. It will not go off unless you turn the car off and restart it (with headlights on). Second problem is that fuel hand does not reflect accurate amount of gasoline in tank. It goes up and down while driving (with the check gauges light on). Or sometimes it is stuck on e or stuck on f regardless of how much fuel is actually present. Third problem is that car intermittently overheats and is always losing coolant. I have replaced thermostat, water pump, & radiator. Three different mechanics cannot find a leak in the cooling system (despite pressure testing, compression testing, & block testing). We are baffled why it cannot retain constant coolant levels. This is a very frustrating situation as I am left without reliable transportation.

Filed Mar 13, 2009 · Electrical · 91,600 miles · IL · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet cavalier. The contact experienced issues starting the vehicle. The dealer could not identify the failure; however, a muffler shop repaired the starter on the vehicle. After the repair, the starter began to overheat and burned the interior of the vehicle. The current mileage was 91,812 and failure mileage was 91,600. Updated 03-30-09 *bf the consumer stated an unnecessary relay switch was added to the starter which caused the starter to malfunction. Updated 03/31/09.

Filed Jan 26, 2005 · Engine · 86,000 miles · CO

The vehicle overheated within 3 minutes to start up. The consumer stated that there was no coolant getting into the engine. The thermostat was replaced 4 weeks ago. The consumer had to use dexcoolant, but, the vehicle started to overheated again. *ak the heater could not be turned on or the vehicle would overheat. The headgasket needed to be replaced. *sc

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 56,000 miles · WV

My cooling system failed causing my car to overheat and kill my 2.2l engine. Also at 36000 my timing chain broke. My extended warranty company is refusing to pay.

Filed Jun 21, 2003 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

When I purchased my used 2000 chevrolet cavalier in april 2003 about 1 month I started having problems. After putting gas in my car I would drive a little and then the gas gauge would go down to appear that the car was almost empty but it wasn't. While driving one day the car just shut off it had gas in it I had just put gas in it but the gauge dropped to appear to be almost empty. I had to get my car towed to the shop I was told my fuel injection went out. Not even a month after that my car stalled at a red light and my temperature gage went in the hot zone my car wouldn't start I had to get it towed again to the shop but they could not find the problem. Now here it is june 2003 my car is sitting in the drive way right now as I am typing this information. My son was driving home at 1:00 a.m. This morning from work when the car overheated again and started smoking. He said smoke was also coming out of the battery and he also heard noise coming from the rear of the car today is saturday and my car has to sit in the driveway until monday morning that when the dealer opens. I feel that something should be done. I don't think it is fair for dealers to be able to sale cars that are in this kind of condition and the car is suppose to be certified. I am making payments on the car and I am having all these problems. It is dangerous to be driving and the car decides to cut off especially at 1:00 a.m. I have to be at work at 3:45 a.m. And my son gets off work at 1:00 a.m. This is very, very dangerous for the both of us.

Filed Mar 21, 2003 · Engine · 50,320 miles · MA

Head gasket blew at only 50320 miles, allowing antifreeze to enter the engine block and flood cylinder heads and spark plugs, warping them to the point where they had to be rebuilt, in addition due to lack of antifreeze, car overheated almost to the point of catching fire, seizing the engine. This came with no warning, and no sign of leakage as antifreeze leaked into engine rather than onto ground. Car broke down in the middle lane of a busy intersection while stopped at a light causing a traffic obstacle during morning rush hour.

Filed Apr 16, 2002 · Brakes, Engine · CT

Consumer states that the engine is overheating and the engine light illuminated.