Top 20 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Questions & Answers

Battery connections ,cables , starter relay . igntion switch , wiring . Could be a number of thing's as you can see . Without proper diagnostic skills , your best bet mite be to take it to a qualified repair shop .

The issue could be something as simple as a wheel speed sensor not registering. The computer should have a code stored to tell you what the issue is. The reason it works fine when you first start the engine is the ABS and Traction system do a self check each time the engine is started. As long as everything passes it gives the green light and the system is active. When the system detects an error after you start moving it gets disabled and this effects other systems. You need to find and repair the error and all should be good.

Usually caused by a failing dimmer wheel/rheostat.

Voltage drop testing would show which part of the circuit the problem is in . Watch these video's from two professional tech's / .teachers Mastering Voltage Drop Testing with Pete Meier and Jerry Truglia Electric Testing Techniques You Need to Know

Is the check engine light on? If it is check to see if a local parts store offers free code reading. If its a misfire code it should be po001 through 004. This is telling you cylinder 1 is 001 ect. Then you can change the parts on the correct cylinder.

Hi. If steering fluid is ok I'd look at pump.

possibly wiring harness fault,sesor wheel installed backwards or an even fire/odd fire engine mismatched components

Usually the sign of a bad fuel pump check valve that allows fuel pressure to bleed off over night. Try this in the morning. Turn the key to ON for 2-secs, then OFF. Repeat 3 times. Then try to start. If it starts right up, you need a new fuel pump. By turning the key on and off you're filling the fuel lines and building pressure that you lost overnight.

You take it to a qualified repair shop < some people are just not smart enough to fix cars . 003 Engine Peformance Tests Scan Data Tests

The front of engine is usually where the serpentine belt is located. The side of the engine toward the front of vehicle is different. I'm not trying to split hairs, Just trying to understand? Is it coming out in the area of the belt? When you had it on the ramps, was the engine running? One thought is too much crankcase pressure? There is, the oil filter could leak, oil pan gasket, head gasket. Is there oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil? It's tough to find a leak if it isn't leaking when you check it.

when bleeding system did you depress the pedal very slowly ? if not could have pushed master cylinder past the seal , worth stripping down and checking if the push rod is sealing , could also be the other part to the slave that has failed , hope this helps

When you say, hard start, are you saying it cranks good but won't start? If so, have a helper crank it while you visually check for spark at the plugs, if spark everywhere, use a gage and check proper fuel pressure. Also, check fuel injector pulse. Crank the starter intermittently, so it doesn't overheat. Any applicable trouble codes? As far as you dash lites, you may have to check ignition switch.

Could be crank shaft sensor.

Try this: -Check fuel pressure. (read in its repair manual to see how much it suppose to be.) If it's low then the fuel pressure regulator or fuel pump is defect. -Is it fuel injector...? Then check its resistance of each injector when it's cold. If it's not within its specification then replace new one Good luck Mai

Highly doubtful that a pump will fix a 0 oil pressure problem. This sounds more like worn bearings. Have a shop do a pressurized oil leakdown test before replacing the oil pump. If the bearings pass the test, then try a pump.

Low or empty brake fluid . No red brake light lite . Brake line corroded maybe , where do you live ? Rust belt USA . Just had a similar problem in a 2005 chevy cavalier . Did you have to stop really fast ?

Can you narrow it down a little? Is there a particular system that has a problem?

Yes it helps the A/C when stoped at a stop light idling . the cooling fan coming on pulls air through the A/C condensor taking away the heat . Before replacing the fan , check to see if it is indeed bad by jumping the socket where the relay plugs into . Pull the the relay an look on the bottom , you will see four sets of numbers 30 &87 plus 85 & 86 . 30 & 87 are the two you want . Take a paper clip or a piece of 12 gage wire an jump 30 to 87 if the fan runs it's OK if not replace it . Just replaced fan on my 05 cavalier last summer .

possible -but all these fancy electronics are beyond the realms of most people and you need the factory to reset and diagnose the fault .even us mechanics have to admit defeat with faults like this and return vehicle to the dealer then charge for the time involved in taking and collecting the car ,take it straight to the dealer yourself

Could be starter.