Top 10 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier Questions & Answers

Sometimes it's a complaint with the ABS braking system. If it comes on and you have no other problems and stays on for while, check your brakes. I have had this issue before and had my brakes replaced. They were worn but for some reason were not squeaking.

The problem is the turn signal/headlight/hazard switch assembly on the steering column which the brake light wiring runs through. The part is easy to change and cost about $50 at most parts stores

these cars are notorious for that.It needs to be "burped" when your car is cold then open the resivoir(coolant).Start the car .As it warms you will notice the tank level will rise.Do not let it boil over!! when it starts to get warm then turn the car off and watch for bubbles in the resivior.add more coolant as the bubbles come out .repeat until no more bubbles come up.The problem with these cars is that an air pocket forms in the water pump.

I have the same ABS problem... I just had new brakes and front wheel bearings done. A couple weeks later the Service light, ABS, light and Trck off light came on. While driving on the highway it sounded like the breaks were scraping or something to that effect. In any event, there was a rather loud intermittant vibration. Is this a serious mechanical problem caused by the ABS failure?? Appreciate any help!

First, DON"T check your alternator that way anymore. It's not good to do on newer systems! The best, quickest check I can tell you is to put a volt meter across the battery. Running with accessories off you should see voltage of about 13.5 to 14.5.
With all accessories and headlamps on high turned on, it should not drop below 12.5. (and that is the absolute low end!).
It sounds like something in the car is staying on. check the glovebox light and interior light delay and make sure they are OK. Otherwise, you will have to start checking entire system for a draw that's taking out the battery overnight. To check, you can pull one fuse at a time and see if draw goes away, then check system that fuse serves.

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Cavalier, Sunfire 2001-2005

Oil Pan - Removal & Installation

2.2L (VIN 4) Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions section.
2. Drain the engine oil.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   Negative battery cable Right front wheel Right inner fender splash shield Starter motor and bracket Engine mount strut bracket Oil pan

To install:




Fig. Exploded view of the oil pan mounting and related components-2.2L (VIN 4) engine

1. Place a 2mm bead of RTV sealer to the oil pan sealing surface except at the rear seal mounting surface. Using a new oil pan rear seal, apply a thin coat of RTV sealer on the end down to the ears.
2. Install or connect the following:
   Oil pan with a new gasket. Torque the nuts and bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm). Engine mount strut bracket. Torque the bolts to 49 ft. lbs. (66 Nm). Starter motor and bracket. Torque the bolts to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm). Right fender splash shield Right front wheel. Torque the nuts to 100 ft. lbs. (140 Nm). Negative battery cable
3. Refill the crankcase.
4. Start the vehicle and verify no leaks.

2.2L (VIN F) Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions section.
2. Drain the engine oil.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   Engine mount strut bracket Drive belt Lower then upper AC compressor bolts Oil pan bolts Oil pan
   
   
   
   Fig. Remove/Install the oil pan bolts in this sequence-2.2L (VIN F) engine
   

To install:

1. Apply a 2 mm bead of RTV sealant around the perimeter of the oil pan and the oil suction port opening. Do not over apply the RTV. More than a 2 mm bead is not required.
2. Install or connect the following:
   Oil pan and tighten the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm) AC compressor bolts Engine mount bracket Drive belt
   
3. Refill the crankcase.
4. Start the vehicle and verify no leaks.

2.4L Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions section.
2. Drain the engine oil.
3. Drain the cooling system.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   Negative battery cable Flywheel/converter cover Right wheel Right wheel well splash shield Accessory drive belt Air conditioning compressor lower bolts Transmission-to-engine brace Engine mount strut bracket Radiator outlet pipe bolts Radiator outlet pipe from the oil pan Oil pan to the flywheel cover bolt and nut Flywheel cover stud for clearance Radiator outlet pipe from the lower radiator hose and oil pan Oil level sensor connector Oil pan

To install:

1. Inspect the oil pan gasket; it is reusable if not damaged.
2. Install or connect the following:
   Oil pan with the gasket. Torque the M8 bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (24 Nm) and the M6 bolts to 106 inch lbs. (12 Nm).
   
   
   
   Fig. Oil pan fastener torque specifications-2.4L engine
   Oil pan to the transmission nut Oil level sensor connector Radiator outlet pipe to the lower radiator hose and oil pan Exhaust manifold brace Radiator outlet pipe. Torque the bolts to 124 inch lbs. (14 Nm). Engine mount strut bracket. Torque the bolts to 55 ft. lbs. (75 Nm). Transmission to the engine brace Air conditioning compressor lower bolts. Torque the bolts to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm). Accessory drive belt Right splash shield Right front wheel Flywheel/converter cover Negative battery cable
3. Refill the crankcase.
4. Refill the cooling system.
5. Start the vehicle and verify no leaks.

Hope helped (remember rated this help). Good luck.

found this at http://oljeep.com/gw/alt/edge_Alternator_Theory.html
(and yes, the Cavalier does use the CS130D alternator)

P-Terminal: Provides a 12Vdc square wave as in the CS-130 application. [The Pulse/Phase terminal can provide a 12V square wave to determine alternator speed, used by some Electronic Control Modules or vehicle computers. Connects to the stator. Some ICU’s monitor this signal and adjust engine parameters accordingly.]


F/I-Terminal: It gets a bit tricky here, as some applications do not incorporate a lamp circuit. In vehicle applications of the “no lamp” kind, this terminal is connected to the Ignition Switch, and an internal resistor is used to limit current and voltage. Other regulators use this terminal as an output and refer to this pin as a Field Terminal, as such, it provides an output that is proportional to the field duty cycle of the alternator to an a vehicles ECM. The ECM now has an input to sense alternator loading and engine loading, and can increase/decrease engine speed accordingly. Here is an important consideration, since the regulators on CS-130D type alternators have these two different types of regulators (F-Type or I-Type) they cannot be interchanged. I-Type regulators use the F/I-Terminal as an input and this can simply be an ignition source 12Vdc voltage that the alternator uses; F-Type regulators use the F/I-Terminal as an output (this ion is a signal that is provided to the vehicle computer and the computer uses it to monitor the field intensity of the alternator as an input. If you supply a 12Vdc signal to this input, you may very well ruin the alternators regulator.


L-Terminal: This is the lamp terminal and operates in the same manner as the CS-130 lamp circuit above. It is of interest to note that some applications use the ECM to send the L-Terminal a signal (5Vdc reference), and the F-Terminal responds with a signal sent to the ECM, in this application the ECM and the Regulator form a “closed loop” to control engine loading and alternator output.


S-Terminal: This is the “Sense” terminal and is connected to the battery. It senses the voltage level of the battery and feeds the regulator circuit this reference so that the regulator can adjust the Pulse Width Modulation to control the alternators output. The S-terminal on the CS-130D regulator is the same size as the other three terminals, unlike that of the CS-130.

First, if your car still runs, pull the fuel pump relay, and start your car, letting it run until it dies. This will depressurize the fuel system. Then you must support the fuel tank, and take loose the straps that hold it up. Slowly lower the tank until you can unhook the tank filler hose and overflow hose by taking the clamps off and sliding the hoses off. lower it some more, and unhook the fuel lines; they require you to insert a special tool around the edge of the connection, however this can be improvised with screwdrivers or a piece of plastic or metal bent into a C shape. Next unhook the wire connection. Once you get it down, it's easiest to empty as much fuel as you can; as this will help you get it back into place. The fuel pump is inside the tank, which locks into place with a 1/8th turn. You will need a hammer and a brass punch for this job, as it needs to be tapped around to unlock. It will then lift out. Compare the two pump assemblies. The inside parts can be slightly different, but ensure that the fuel lines are IDENTICAL and the wire connection is IDENTICAL. The new one will come with a new silicone seal. Ensure that you don't put the new one in in such a way as the float doesn't bind, otherwise you'll be doing this procedure again if you don't like guessing how much gas you have. This can be a challenge to wrestle with putting the new one in, as you have to push it down to compress the new seal, and turn it to lock it. Once you get it started, you can let up and use the hammer and punch again to tighten it the rest of the way. Next, put it back together just as you took it apart, and don't forget to hook up the wires, hoses, and fuel lines. No tools required for the fuel lines, they just snap together. Once everything's tight and hooked up, put gas back in it, and if you haven't already, put the fuel pump relay back in. This you can do as soon as the car dies, and is completely optional if the car won't run at all. You are now ready to start it up, but turn the ignition on to the run position, wait a few seconds for the pump to pressurize, and then start it. Have fun, and feel free to ask any questions should you have any.

Below the instrument panel on the left side henge pillar,or up high behind the Instrument panel depending the model and options!

C1275 is throttle position sensor