Ask the Car People.SM


Chevy Cavalier Fuel System Problems

16 messages,  Last post on Mar 17, 2012 at 6:57 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Cavalier Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Cavalier, Fuel System, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 2

#1 of 16 rough idling on a 2004 cavalier by kim25

Feb 01, 2008 (8:21 pm)

I bought this car a few months ago, since then it has started idling rough at times. Occasionally when I come to a stop it almost feels as if the car is lungeing (sorry if I mispelled it) while I've got the brake on. Other times it will just idle really rough and sometimes die on me when I come to a stop. The engine light comes on and goes off ever few days and when I had it checked it's showing a misfire. I've had the plugs changed, had injector cleaner run through it, and am considering having new fuel injector put on. Any suggestions?? I hate spending a couple hundred dollars on an injector and not knowing if this is the problem. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks

#2 of 16 Idle problems by sarahlee1

Mar 08, 2008 (5:40 pm)

I have the exact same problem. My local chevrolet dealership said they couldn't figure it out and sent me away with a 160 dollar bill. I would like to know if anyone knows anything as well.

#3 of 16 Re: Idle problems [sarahlee1] by kim25

Mar 08, 2008 (8:18 pm)

Replying to: sarahlee1 (Mar 08, 2008 5:40 pm)
The Chevrolet dealership did the exact same thing to me. Every mechanic I take it to is unsure of what it is and then they start guessing what it might be. I just can't afford replacing hundred dollar parts not knowing for sure if it would help. One mechanic assured me that it needed a new coil ($200 parts/labor), so I had it replaced just hoping it might fix it... it didn't help the running part one bit, but the check engine light hasn't come on anymore?? I had heard that these were good, economical cars, but from my experience they aren't worth a crap. Apparently I have bought a lemon--just my luck!
Anyone needing to buy a cavalier for a good price

#4 of 16 Re: Idle problems [kim25] by tedebear

Mar 23, 2008 (2:05 pm)

Replying to: kim25 (Mar 08, 2008 8:18 pm)
You said that you had the plugs changed. How about the plug wires? They are not all that difficult to change and if you change one at a time it is impossible to connect the new one to the wrong location. A bad plug wire can certainly cause a misfire. I'm surprised that no one suggested this when you had new plugs put in or the coil replaced.
 
A quality set of wires isn't too expensive, compared to what you've spent already. Don't pay a dealer or shop to do this at the rate of $80-$100/hr. Get a friend to help you with it for free. Don't forget to add a small dab of dielectric grease in the boots to make the wires easier to remove the next time.
 
Also, I'd recommend putting a can of gas additive into the tank to remove any water that might be causing problems.

#5 of 16 1999 cavalier gas guage by sxybldman

Sep 01, 2008 (8:44 pm)

#6 of 16 1999 cavalier gas guage by sxybldman

Jul 22, 2008 (6:28 pm)

Daughter just bought a 1999 cavalier 2dr coupe got in car fuel level guage read full drove to work today on the way home ran out of gas put gas in car it started but guage still reads full only put 3 gallons in does she need a new fuel pump or could it be something else. Please help

#7 of 16 Re: 1999 cavalier gas guage [sxybldman] by gonogo

Jul 23, 2008 (10:43 am)

Replying to: sxybldman (Jul 22, 2008 6:28 pm)
Just the sender unit most likely.

#8 of 16 by sparky2888

Sep 01, 2008 (8:44 pm)

Check with the previous owners and see if they replaced the instrument cluster in the car. The 99 has a different sending unit than all other year cavaliers and if it was replaced or the sending unit was replaced this could be your problem. I ran into the same problem with my 99 when I tried to replace the cluster for a cluster with a tach out of a different year cavalier.

#9 of 16 engine missing by fisherofmen

Oct 28, 2008 (6:11 pm)

I have a 2001 cavalier that I bought new. it has about 215,000 miles on the clock and still runs good. The engine has started to miss from time to time going down the road. I have taken it to a mechanic whom I think I can trust but he tells me that he scans it for trouble codes but nothing comes up. Has anyone had the same trouble and got it fixed? I would like to keep my cavalier for many more miles

#10 of 16 Re: engine missing [fisherofmen] by tedebear

Oct 28, 2008 (6:25 pm)

Replying to: fisherofmen (Oct 28, 2008 6:11 pm)
Has it had regular tuneups? How old are some of the components such as plug wires, plugs, ignition coil, PCV valve and fuel filter?

Messages Page 1 of 2

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement