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Chevrolet (Geo) Prizm

1443 messages,  Last post on Mar 01, 2013 at 9:56 PM

You are in the Chevrolet (Geo) Prizm Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Prizm, Geo Prizm, Sedan

Messages Page 103 of 145

#1017 of 1443 Re: 1995 geo prism [pierce7] by aballwienk

May 04, 2006 (8:27 pm)

Replying to: pierce7 (Mar 16, 2006 6:09 pm)
I feel your pain. I have a 1994 Geo Prizm 116,000 miles and have had a similar experience. I had the ignition coil replaced due to the fact that it would not start. Now, I have sever hesitation and jerking mostly when the car is between cold and warm.
 
I have replaced the MAP sensor, O2 sensor, Coolant Temp. sensor, spark plugs, wires, rotor... with not change in the problem.
 
This car is driving me nuts. If you find out your problem, please let me know. I will do the same. It's back to the mechanic I go.
 
BW

#1018 of 1443 Re: 1995 geo prism [aballwienk] by imadad2

May 25, 2006 (9:35 am)

Replying to: aballwienk (May 04, 2006 8:27 pm)
I have a 2000 Prizm that has the same problem described by others. When the vehicle is cold, it hesitates and sputters. Once the car is warmed up, it runs fine. I was told by several mechanics that the fuel filter should never be changed. One mechanic advised using Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner between oil changes. After I put in a bottle of this, the problem becomes less bothersome. It happens less, but still has not gone away. I have 60K miles on it and have been thinking of changing the plugs. The one thing I did notice but have not done anything with is this. The gas tank has a small mettle flap on the entry for the gas pump. Mine is gone. I am wondering if that is what is causing my problem. For those of you who have this problem, check your gas fill up opening to see if yours is missing. It might be it. I am assuming the gas tank would have to be removed to get it out.

#1019 of 1443 Re: Dry sounding front suspension [jim222] by sgromolo

May 29, 2006 (3:01 pm)

Replying to: jim222 (Apr 30, 2002 6:06 pm)
jim, i have a 2001 prizm and i have the same problem with the front end, when you turn either direction the front end make noise. was going to grease fitting and low and behold i could not find any. did you ever get an answer on your question? it would seem the frontend is greaseless,if so what is making the sound?
thanks,
dave

#1020 of 1443 Re: help for weird starting problem [staci1] by sofrustrated

Jun 14, 2006 (11:04 am)

Replying to: staci1 (Dec 07, 2005 7:10 pm)
Staci1- I realize that your message was posted Last Dec'05...but here it is June'06 and I came across this message board...seeing that you had something similar to what my daughter is experiencing right now.
She has a '93 Geo Prism and about a week ago, for no reason, when she got into her car to start it...the key would not budge. Unlike you, it is not cold here..so I can't figure out what might cause this to happen. This car has frustrated me for years. Constantly pouring money into it. The Key seemed to move counter-clockwise but will NOT budge when trying to turn it on. It is a 5 speed and we tried putting it into anything but 1st gear to see if the key would then move, but it didn't. She has been stuck at gas stations for over 30 minutes trying to get the key turn (to move). This morning, I sprayed some lubricant into the ignition hole to see if that would help. I WAS able to get it to turn....BUT you still have to fight with it a bit...before it turns. This has never happened before...so SINCE I saw your message about your key not budging....I thought I would ask "Did you EVER find out what was the cause of it?". I am a frustrated mom that doesn't and can't afford to pour more money into this thing. If anyone can help or give me ideas, I would really appreciate it.
 
 ~Thank you~
Audrey

#1021 of 1443 '96 Oil Capacity by footpounds

Jun 14, 2006 (2:06 pm)

Just bought a '96 Prizm with no owner's manual. My old '92 Corolla held 3.5 quarts of oil. Does the Prizm hold the same amount? Thanks!

#1022 of 1443 92 prizm coolent problem by thegreatgoat

Jun 15, 2006 (11:13 am)

I have a 92 Geo that is shooting antifreeze on to the fire wall intermittently and causing the car to smoke from under the hood. It does not do it all the time. Also it will overheat in the real hot weather but again not all the time. So far as long as I keep the antifreeze up it does not overheat. I would like to repair the problem myself if I can but I can't see where the leak is coming from as it is intermittent and I only caught the car doing it once by chance any ideas would be great Thanks.

#1023 of 1443 Re: 1990 Geo Prizm starting problems [doug15] by prizmdan

Jun 15, 2006 (8:15 pm)

Replying to: doug15 (May 12, 2005 11:10 am)
I also have a '90 Geo Prizm, my starter seemed to stick once in a while but would always start, my wife started driving it so I had the starter replaced, now it clicks after it's warm and won't start for a while. If you drive somewhere, run in the store, caome out 15 minutes to about 1/2 hour later it won't start. I have replaced the battery, alternator and starter and it's just unreliable, you never know where you'll be stuck because it will go a few days or weeks withiyt happening. Did you ever get yours figured out ? I need guidance on this mystery, PLEASE !!!!!

#1024 of 1443 Re: 1990 Prizm doesn't accelerate beyond 45 mph [mpkonig] by rene01

Jun 21, 2006 (11:10 am)

Replying to: mpkonig (Mar 04, 2006 10:15 am)
If you are seeing brown foam in your radiator, it more than likely is a head gasket, & in that case a lot of times you won't be able to see exactly where it's leaking from. Change the head gasket. That should take care of your acceleration problem as well. Geo's have a tendency to "hide" that problem in the oil. You won't see any water/brown foam in the oil, but you'll see it in the radiator & sometimes vise versa.

#1025 of 1443 Re: Are belts fairly easy to change & Starting problems: [rene01] by rene01

Jun 21, 2006 (12:09 pm)

Replying to: rene01 (Jun 17, 2005 12:59 pm)
Ok, here's a little update:
  Thanks first of all for the help with the belts. I still have this tempermental no starting problem. Now it just does it whenever it feels like it. We have had the starter changed at least 3 times now. I have been inclined to think it has something to do with the secondary ignition switch. However... it has begun this new episode where when you stop, put it in park, the key won't turn to the off position. It gets stuck there until it decides it's going to turn loose & finally go off. The engine has stopped, the key won't budge. I don't know if the 2 are in some way connected. Is there some kind of linkage sensor that tells the key it's alright to be turned off or something?
   It's so very frustrating. Any of the mechanics I have talked to all seem to say it's the starter solenoid... but honestly can starters go bad THAT quickly, & that often? These starters were bought from Napa, so replacing them so often didn't cost me an arm & a leg, but still. The fuses have been checked, the battery has been replaced as often as the starter, wires have been checked. I am at my wits end.
  Does anyone have any ideas as to what this problem is? It's like a crap shoot only... I don't have that kind of money to blow having it tested for this & for that. There isn't any way to predict it except if it's driven over 20 miles or the radiator fan comes on.. you can expect to be sitting for 3-6 hours at best before it will start again.
  Please Help!

#1026 of 1443 Re: Are belts fairly easy to change & Starting problems: [rene01] by mt700a1

Jun 24, 2006 (10:13 am)

Replying to: rene01 (Jun 21, 2006 12:09 pm)
Ignition lock cylinder (where you put the key in & turn) itself might be bad.
 
If the starter turns but not fast enough to start the engine, check the battery cables. You have to have a very good connection to allow a massive current to flow to the starter.
 
Good luck
M

Messages Page 103 of 145

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