1996 Chevy Cavalier car wont start

JJ2RAW

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
215,000 MILES

My car ran alot but still works good. When its started the engine runs great. But it has a starting problem. Its not the battery because everything turns on. I turn the key and nothing. Sometimes when I grab the tilt steering wheel and push it up its starts and sometimes it doesnt. If that trick doesnt work I have to start it from the engine. And sometime that doesnt work and my car is stuck for a while. Basically it starts when it wants to. Im thinking I have a wire shortage under the steering wiring liek the ignition wiring. All my fuses seem to be ok. And also the hole where my negative post screws into is alil stripped could that be my problem or would the ignition wiring?

4 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Hi, I'd still have to make sure the battery has a full charge and the connections are good. Those stripped threads could cause a problem. The purple wire--S terminal, at starter solenoid, should be hot with the key in the start position. Yellow wire carries voltage from ignition switch to neutral switch. Purple wire carries voltage from neutral switch to starter S terminal.

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Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 AT 11:34 AM

JJ2RAW

MEMBER
1 POST

Well when attempting the start the car. The battery does get drained. But I have a charger in the garage soo when that happen I charge the battery. Umm the ignition wires r simpliy my assumption bcuz when I move the steering column up it starts at times and at times it doesnt and does nothing. Then I look stupid raising it up and down inraged and upset. My battery connection are screws and not posts. So on the negative side when I try 2 tighten it tight it goes back loose. And if I move it its alil loose. The positive side tighten completely. Do you think wit another piece of metal or aluminum to help tight the negative side might work? My last resort is to checking the wiring since that can be soo confusing.

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Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 AT 11:59 AM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

I understand it is a side-post battery. If internal threads are stripped, probably best to get a new battery. I couldn't troubleshoot it without checking wiring circuits.

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Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 AT 1:08 PM

JAYBIN82

MEMBER
44 POSTS

I have a 95 cavalier. My negative on my bat was lose and only started when it wanted. However mine was not stripped. I would replace the bat. To test it, next time have someone try to start it as you wiggle the wire. I agree with jdl123, change the bat. Usualy its the simple things that work.

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Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 AT 1:26 PM