2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Logo
Posted on Dec 16, 2008
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

2003 Chevy Cavalier not starting

I have a 2003 Chevy Cavalier and the engine is turning over but is not starting. We tried to give it a jump start a few times which did not help. The battery seems to be fully charged, although the battery light is on, as well as the oil light and the check engine light. I have heard that it is common for the fuel pump to go out in '03 Cavaliers. Does that sound like it could be my problem?

  • 2 more comments 
  • ilovelucy_29 Dec 16, 2008

    Yes, we have stepped on the gas before trying to start it. Unfortunately, that did not help. :(

  • ilovelucy_29 Jan 05, 2009

    Thanks for all of the advice. I heard that if the engine starts after tapping on the gas tank with a rubber mallet, that it is the fuel pump. We did that and it started right up. We then replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter. The fuel filter was super clogged and all the gas inside was black and had all kinds of black sediment in it. Anyway, thanks again for the advise. Everything has been replaced and my car is starting, accelerating and driving better than ever before!
    Oh and BTW, a lot of other people said that this was a really difficult repair to do on your own. That was definitely not the case. Even with the fuel pump being inside the gas tank, it only took a few hours with 2 guys and cost less than 1/2 of what it would have been to take to a repair shop! :)


  • roundtripsr7 Jan 05, 2009

    I have a 2004 cavalier doing the same thing the 2003 is. Do you think this is the same problem I have

  • LCJC30 Jan 27, 2009

    I have the same problem with my 2003 chevy Cavalier and i have may husband working on it but he is having a hard time getting to the fuel tank because of the muffler and we did try hitting the gas tank but it starts and then it doesn't so we know that it is the fuel pump. Any suggestions or help?

×

4 Answers

Anonymous

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Vice President:

An expert whose answer got voted for 100 times.

  • Master 962 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 16, 2008
Anonymous
Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Vice President:

An expert whose answer got voted for 100 times.

Joined: Oct 26, 2008
Answers
962
Questions
1
Helped
478373
Points
2866

When you turn the key, you should hear the fuel pump make a whiring noise as it dispenses the fuel. If there is no noise. the fuel pump is not working.

Have you checked the fuel shutoff inertia switch.?
Check your owners manual for location.

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 15 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 29, 2008
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Sep 25, 2008
Answers
15
Questions
3
Helped
10345
Points
36

Well I would deff even tho its turning over have the starter checked out and maybe the alternator because even if its turning over dosnt rule out the alternator or the starter have those checked and let me know if it helped

  • Anonymous Dec 29, 2008

    could even be a bad battery connection

  • Anonymous Dec 29, 2008

    another very simple solution try checkin and making sure that the ignition fuse has blow out this is also very common bc if its out the engine may turn over but not start and very seldom start and die very quickly

×

Ad

Anonymous

Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Expert 55 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 16, 2008
Anonymous
Expert
Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Dec 15, 2008
Answers
55
Questions
2
Helped
24865
Points
142

Maybe it the fuel filter. Have U tried stepping on the gas pedel a few times before turning the key to try to start it?

Hope this helps some

Matt

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 2 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 16, 2008
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Dec 16, 2008
Answers
2
Questions
0
Helped
3799
Points
5

It could very well be the fuel pump. If the engine is turning over at normal speed when you're trying to jump it off, and you don't just hear clicking (that would be the starter), I would suspect the fuel pump. You may also want to check the fuel filter, to make sure it's clean.

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

Fuel pump relay on gmc 7500 2003 with gas engine?

images for Fuel pump relay location on gmc 7500

GM Fuel Pump Relay Testing - YouTube

? 27:40
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McnXLcJNVfI
Mar 14, 2012 - Uploaded by ScannerDanner
How to manually jump a fuel pump from the fuse box ... Is this the same on the 2003 cavalier chevy? ... I go through fuel pumprelays often on my 99 GMC Yukon Denali. ... Finally, fuel pressure totally drains after motor turns off. ... run right, it would sputter when you hit the gas and finally just would not start.Missing: 7500
0helpful
1answer

2003 chevy cavalier problems

Is there a check engine light? if so a data scan can give you a little better idea. need a start point as to the malfunction. any gas in it. or fuel pump failure?
0helpful
1answer

98 chevy cavalier turns over but won't start

i know industry jargon can be confusing, but lets try this. if it turns over but won't start, it could be your ''ignition module'' that sits on top of the vave cover on the motor or it might be the fuel pump or filter. make sure when you crank the engine that the key is all the way turned or it may not always make a proper contact to activate the ignition module. iv'e seen this before & had to change the ignition switch & all worked ok after that. i would need to know engine lt size to give you more details on the matter. please get back to me.
0helpful
1answer

2003 chevy cavalier hard to start when the engine is cool after 3 times it start and runs great, it starts normal when the engine is hot. please help

the automatic chocke switch has failed,it is fitted on the air intake after the air filter . if you have anymore problem contact me.adrian,,,,
0helpful
1answer

Starting problem

back to basics, does the engine turn over, if so check spark(in line tester works best) fuel pressure(with a guage) injector signal(noid light), then go on to compression,
0helpful
1answer

I have a 2003 chevy cavalier and it seems to shift

the transmition is electronic and needs to know some info on how the engine is running
it gets this info from a number of sensorm
rpm, air temp, coolant temp, throttle position.
those inputs need to be checked
0helpful
2answers

2003 Chevy Cavailier starts after turning the key back and forth.

Get a new key cut at the dealer. If that doesn't take care of it then the key cylinder needs to be replaced.
Not finding what you are looking for?

2,392 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Chevrolet Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

john h

Level 3 Expert

29494 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

Are you a Chevrolet Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...