2001 Cavalier Won't start

[midijeep]

My 2001 Cav won't start in either NG or Gasoline. It has been driving excellent since I bought it in August of this year (no problems). Drove home last night, parked it, went to start it this morning and it wants to start initially for a half a second but then suddenly the engine quits cranking but the other noises of starting continue (if that makes sense). I waited 10 seconds, same thing. It won't switch to gasoline to start. I checked the fuses, everything is good. I see no check lights on.

Any ideas of what is wrong?

Thanks in advance.

[Lancer Automotive Group]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

It sounds like it could be starter issue, if you are hearing a noise after the cranking sound in may be the gear is disconnecting form the starter so you her the starter motor with no cranking. If you need any other help please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

[midijeep]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

The noise after cranking is a loud hissing sound, like the natural gas is pumping through the system( what I hear as the engine is trying to crank but now the engine doesn't crank after ~ half a second).

It sounds like it could be starter issue, if you are hearing a noise after the cranking sound in may be the gear is disconnecting form the starter so you her the starter motor with no cranking. If you need any other help please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

[Lancer Automotive Group]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

Once you have the key on the valve opens on the CNG and you will here CNG flowing to the engine or the whirling of the starter that is disengaged one of those two is the sound you are hearing, but we feel it is defiantly a starter issue.

[Lancer Automotive Group]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

You should be looking at about $340 repair.

[BRodri]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

ok i don't know if you have that kind of money but i know if it was my choice i would remove the starter fuse and then try the key again if you still hear the noise that you are describing then it is the gas if not then it is the starter. an i can not see 340 for a starter fix. way to much for me especially since buying a brand new one would cost half of that. or you could go to a salvage yard and get it for a lot cheaper and they would be able to install it for a lot less than that. sorry it's not that i am against a person trying to make a living but at 90 bucks an hour for an easy job is just crazy.

[midijeep]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

I don't have that kind of money. I am in school presently and pay over $5000/semester just in tuition.

I'll have to try the fuse. I did look under the hood and found the starter at the front (engine is sideways). I took off the wires but can't figure out how I am going to get the bolts off that hold the starter on, especially the top bolt. I moved the wiring out of the way but it is still a tight place. There is no room for leverage. Is there a special wrench that might help me get the bolts off?

[cowboy]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

I don't have that kind of money. I am in school presently and pay over $5000/semester just in tuition.

I'll have to try the fuse. I did look under the hood and found the starter at the front (engine is sideways). I took off the wires but can't figure out how I am going to get the bolts off that hold the starter on, especially the top bolt. I moved the wiring out of the way but it is still a tight place. There is no room for leverage. Is there a special wrench that might help me get the bolts off?

you might check if there is a voteck near you lots of them will do the work for free or very cheap and you pay for the parts as cant teach with out something to work on

[midijeep]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

Pulled the start and took it to Checker Auto for testing, it passed. I wonder how you check the ignition module with a volt meter and the entire ignition system.
Something did happen about a month ago where I went to start the car one morning and a couple of semi-loud bangs under the hood occurred. Happened again right after I tried starting again.

Any Ideas??
Thanks for all the responses.

[midijeep]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

I still think it is the starter as suggested before. I had my wife try starting the car and the engine would engage for a split second then I think I heard the starter just spinning. The guy at Checker did say the part that pushes out to engage the fly wheel was working.

Any chance that the tester is wrong about the starter being good? Or is there something else I should be looking for?

[Lancer Automotive Group]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

That is still what we think if we had to bet.

[midijeep]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

Thanks Lancer for your input. I think I will go ahead and get the new starter.
The Cav is a 2001 with only 43,000 miles on it.
I also did as suggested; cleaning the wire contacts points with sand paper. There wasn't any rust to speak of on all of the contact points.
Also, when trying to start the car I can smell the natural gas flooding the engine, so it seems like the fuel is moving.

Would you get a rebuilt or brand new starter??

[Lancer Automotive Group]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

We always use new here, but we have a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty on parts and labor. So I really can’t say. It is what ever you gut feeling is on new vs rebuilt.

[siai47]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

The part of the starter that could be your problem is the starter clutch (or Bendix). The Cavalier uses a solenoid shift starter system that uses the starter solenoid to move the starter gear into position and engage the flywheel ring gear. On the bench, the starter motor will spin and the gear will shift but the bench check guy has no way to determine if the overrunning clutch in the Bendix is holding. I would agree with Lancer--get a starter--new is way to expensive , auto parts store rebuilds usually have good warranties. Cheapest is Junk yard---most come with a limited (30 day warranty)

[midijeep]

Re: 2001 Cavalier Won't start

Lancer and siai47,
Thank you for your help!! Bought a new starter and it turned right over. It all makes sense now; the periodic loud bangs during starting. Seems the starter clutch (Bendix) was engaging and disengaging during starts. When I bought the car it always did this and I assumed it was normal but in hinesight the starter was going bad.

Again it actually turns over much, much quicker. Thanks!!!