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Chevy Cavalier Car Repair Questions and Answers

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Question: 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, 5 speed mileage: 63,000. I have had a problem that can't seem to be repaired. The EGR valve does not operate properly - this car has had 4 replaced and cleaned at least twice. The car acts like it is stalling - the rpm gauge will rev up and down as you're are idling. It will work fine for a week and then start acting up again but not all the time. The next to last diagnosis was that there was dirt getting into the valve. The line was scoped. The latest, different dealer and different mechanic, said that moisture is getting into the valve. A new thermostat was put into it and the pipe leading to it was wrapped. Very little difference was noticed. The mechanic who last tested it said that the valve was only opening 30% when it was acting up and thus if you were going uphill your power would even seem less..

Answer: We suggest that you check for a partially plugged catalytic converter.

Question: 1991 Chevy Cavalier. My car will start strong and drive well until the engine gets to normal temperature. I try to stop and the car will jerk and stall if I don't put the trans to neutral. Sometimes I can stop while the trans is in neutral and I can put it back in drive and proceed. This only works a couple times. Then when I stop I put it in drive and it will stall. Now, I need to wait until it cools down. I changed the ignition module and it runs a little smoother in idle. I read the forum and saw that it could be the TCC solenoid. Where is the TCC solenoid? I looked in my book and can't seem to find it.

Answer: The TCC solenoid is located in the transmission on the valve body. To verify that this is causing your problem, disconnect the four wire plug that plugs into the side of the transmission and drive the car. If your problem is cured, replace the solenoid.

Question: 1992 Chevy Cavalier Z-24, 3.1 V6, mileage: 150,000.  I would like to know where I can find my fuel pressure regulator. I have read other posts and have determined that the diaphragm to this part could be my problem. I know where to find my fuel pump inside the fuel tank and I may have even seen the fuel pump regulator and didn't even know it, but could you describe it's location and how it looks please.

Answer: An online repair manual will have the diagrams and then you will know where it is on your engine. Look at the fuel rail that feed the fuel injectors.

Question: 1991 Chevy Cavalier. The speedometer stopped working. Nothing is digital. Everything is completely basic. Nothing powered. I looked for a cable behind the dash and found nothing. Not even anything close to a cable. Looked AGAIN for anything that looked like a sensor or (anything) NOPE. Looked around the engine for a sensor or cable. I'm pretty lost now. O.K. I bought the book on the car and it sort of helped. It told me to replace the cable. Went to buy one. The mechanic there said it should be a sensor. Possibly just corroded. LOOKED and LOOKED. Just can't seem to find it. Found something. (This will be interesting to explain) here it goes... I found a wire it connects to a big round cylinder. Located closest to the windshield (under the hood) on the left hand side. (It's located way up in the hood, I mean right next to the windshield, not even close to the transmission right behind and to the left of the air filter) Now, the cylinder has two wires going into it. One is black colored, that one looks really clean and inserts into the cylinder. 2 pink colored, simply has a clip, and slips onto a L bracket (pretty small). Went ahead and unscrewed the pink one. Cleaned completely. No more corrosion. Reconnected. Wow! The speedometer wants to work. Where can I find were the pink wire goes. It should go to the transmission. But where? Can I get to it without dropping anything off? Like the cover of the transmission? I really need help. (Can you tell)? I know you two get a lot of goofy questions. This will be one of the best. Using cylinder as a description. Please help me out after you get done laughing. Thanks guys!

Answer: We are not laughing we know how frustrating it can be to solve car problems. We are not sure what the big round cylinder is or what the pink wire is about without having the car in front of us. However we feel your problem is with the vehicle speed sensor. It should be located on the transmission tucked underneath the motor very close to the passenger side axle. If the wires have come off or are corroded, this could be your problem. If the wires and connectors look okay, then most likely, the sensor is bad.

Question: 1995 Chevy Cavalier mileage: 59,000. Is it common for a 1995 Chevy with only 59,000 miles to have a freeze plug go bad? It's the plug on the back of the engine between the transmission. A very costly repair. Do you know of any service bulletins or recalls?

Answer: It is not common to have a freeze plug fail. The coolant should be changed every two to three years as it does break down over time and becomes corrosive. We do not know of any relevant service bulletins or recalls.

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Question: 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 mileage: 226,000. I am currently changing my spark plug wires and have a problem. My 1990-1994 Chilton's manual does not match my old 1987-1991 manual that I threw out. My old manual showed that the spark plugs on the front of the engine were ordered 5-2-3 (left-to-right) and 6-1-4 in back (left-to-right). The new manual shows 5-3-1 in front and 6-4-2 in back. Please let me know which is correct? Dave

Answer: Your new manual is correct 5-3-1 in front and 6-4-2 in back.

Question: 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier mileage: 45,000. My 1997 Cavalier does not start during cold weather (60 or below). I've already flushed the radiator fluid and replaced it as per manufacturer's specs. What can it be and why does it only happen during cold weather? The car runs and starts fine during warm temperatures.

Answer: Scan the computer for fault codes first. If no fault codes are present, try replacing the coolant temperature sensor for the computer.

Question: 1997 Chevy/Cavalier RS mileage: 36,040. My car's engine was recently repaired for failed/dirty injectors and plugs after it was shaking violently when it was driven. Is there something I can do to try and prevent this from happening again?

Answer: Replace the fuel filter more often and use major brand gasoline.

Question: 1991 Chevy Cavalier mileage: 116,000. I recently had problems with the heater in my car. I keep blowing fuses for my heater...we tried to replace the fan thinking that was the cause but no go.... all the other fuses are working fine its just the heat...can you think of any other problem? The only heat I am getting is when I get driving it automatically flows through the vent and baby it is cold outside in NY.

Answer: You need to perform a couple of tests. First, disconnect the power wire to the heater fan and turn on the controls for the heater to see if it blows a fuse. If it does, then you have problems in either the wiring or the control on the dash. Second, check the variable speed resister. It is usually located in the air duct close to the blower motor. It is possible that it has shorted out.

Question: 1992 Chevy Cavalier V4. Where can I find my flasher unit for my turn single?

Answer: Your turn signal flasher should be located behind the dash on the right side of the steering column support.

Question: 1988 Chevy Cavalier Z-24 mileage: 153,000. 5-speed. When traveling in residential areas or where slow speed is required, the car starts shaking violently. This occurs whenever I try to maintain speed around 25 MPH (second gear). Above this speed the shaking stops. Below 25 MPH, it does not shake either. When idling, the car has a noticeable smoky exhaust. I was inspecting the tail pipe and noticed a carbon powder build up around the end of the pipe. I have so far replaced the Idle Speed Sensor and Throttle Positioning Motor. I bought an oxygen sensor and have not yet installed it. I am not sure what else to do. The plugs and wires were recently replaced. I use premium oil when I change the oil (about every 5000 miles). I pinged the ECM and got trouble codes 22, 35, and 44, but I am not sure what they mean. Any suggestions would be most helpful.

Answer: Code 22 is – low TOS voltage. Code 35 is IAC speed error. Code 44 is lean exhaust. With 153,000 miles, a compression check would be a good idea.

Question: 1993 Chevy Cavalier Z24 mileage: 109,000. The heater does not work properly. Can have the hi/low switch in any position and it still only blows slow but the sound increases with a higher setting like it is blowing hard but it isn’t. This problem happens with the heat or air-con. Getting cold here in Minnesota trying to get fixed before the sub-zero temperatures come, thank you. How much will this repair cost?

Answer: The doors in the heater ducts may not be working properly. They are controlled by vacuum. Check for vacuum hoses that may be cracked or a loose connection. Another source of the leak may be the vacuum switch on the back of the heater/air condition control on the dash. Somewhere in the vacuum system is a check valve that may have failed. It is usually part of the vacuum reservoir tank.

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