1998 Chevy Cavalier Cavalier either wont start or cuts off

NICHOLSON87

MEMBER
1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
4 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
164,000 MILES

I have a 1998 chevy cavalier and when I bought it the girl said all it needed was a alternator. I replaced the alternator and the battery is new but today when I tried to start the car it cut off and I had to get a jump start. Then when my boyfriend was driving the car shut off on him in the middle of the street. He tried to jumpstart it but it wouldnt start so when he tried pushing the car it started. Can you tell me whats wrong with my car please? Is it electrical or is it the battery?

Sunday, November 8th, 2009 AT 3:03 PM

3 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Welcome to the forum, I'd have to make sure the battery has a full charge and the connections are good. After it stalls, if your saying the starter won't even crank, the purple wire at the starter solenoid should be hot with the key in the start position. If it isn't, backtrack the circuit. You may have to check feed to and from the ignition switch?

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Sunday, November 8th, 2009 AT 3:14 PM

NICHOLSON87

MEMBER
1 POST

I know its not the starter because it clicks and the car hesitates to start up and we charged the battery up im thinking maybe it need a tune up or the battery cord

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Sunday, November 8th, 2009 AT 5:13 PM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Watch the vehicle lites, when you turn the key to crank, if they go out or almost, usually the battery or cables. I can't rule out the starter. The click sound is probably the starter solenoid.

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Monday, November 9th, 2009 AT 8:30 AM