1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Logo
Posted on Jul 15, 2008

Need to know signs of my starter going bad

I have a 98 Cavalier and I'm having problems starting it. It won't turn over sometimes...well, it takes a while. Sometimes it starts great but other times it might take up to 10 seconds to finally turn over...maybe longer, I haven't really counted.

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  • Anonymous Jul 21, 2008

    Same problem here. I have to push the gas down and hold it for awhile. Sometimes it quits right away after the initial rev up. Would love to know the answer......

  • Anonymous Aug 26, 2008

    my car usually starts immediately but lately it doesn't but then the next time it will start immediately. help please?

    checked the battery and alternator.ok.

  • simplyshayla Sep 04, 2008

    I have a 2001 Chevy Cavalier and I have just started having troubles with starting the engine. When I turn the ignition, it starts very slow as if it doesn't want to start at all. Once started, it seems to work fine. Can someone tell me where the source of this issue may be coming from and if it's expensive to fix. Thank you so much!

  • pcwprater Dec 19, 2008

    97 chevrolet cavalier

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  • Posted on Apr 03, 2009
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I have a 96 Cavalier and lately, sometimes when I go to start my car, I turn the key and the engine won't crank. All of the dash lights turn on, so I don't think it would be the battery. If I wait a few minutes and try again, it fires right up. This is probably the first sign of the starter failing. I've been told to whack the starter with a hammer while someone is turning the key, but have also been told that with Cavaliers build in the 90's and up, this is a no-no. There are magnets inside the starter that can break if hit with enough force. I have yet to have the starter fail to the point of not being able to start it at all, but I'm sure that time is coming. Hopefully, I can trade this POS in for something decent.

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  • Posted on Aug 02, 2008
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The fuel pump has some kind of safety device in it to prevent flooding, Mine does the same thing. If it doesn't start the first time, turn the ignition to the off position and wait ten seconds so the fuel pump will reset and then try again, works wonders.

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