98 chevy cavalier 2.2 will not crank. It's not the starter or battery as lights, dinging chime, and fuel pump engage...I turn the key and silence.

Likely bad connection at either the battery terminals or maybe the starter. It is very easy to get a bad/weak connection at the battery--make sure they are clean.

start by following your negative wire off of the battery it should go to metal on the engine or to the frame (a fender bolt is ok) try putting your negative jumper cable from battery to any metal on engine. turn on headlights wiggle cable to make sure you have good connection, see if head lamps come on. If lights come on replace ground cable from battery. if not remove jumper cable and start looking at positive cable.check it for a good connection to battery and also to cable . if connections are good there follow the positive cable down to the starter solonide.you should check your battery voltage at this connection. If its good and the connection is good but you still have no power replace starter solonid.. I suspect the positive cable going to the starter will be bad or the connection will be bad.

Starter pinion sticking. Remove starter and inspect. May need new starter

try to start the car, than the anti theift would shut the car off. you wait ten min with the key on, until you see the anti theift flash or disapear. than turn key to off position and try to start it. this will reprogram the computer.. Good luck.

you can also try disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes

My 2000 cavalier has done this for 6 months. You take your key out then open your door, wait ten minutes and the system resets itself and the car will start-annoying you bet!!!

If the lights dim, its the starter, If they go out, you have a bAD BATTERY CONNECTION. This cranking with lights on . It may be neutral safety swith, May be clutch safety if manual trans. I'd go for the battery connection is poor. Ck the ground/neg first.

The starter has no cylinders. it is an electric motor powered from the battery and ignition system.
The chevy cavalier has a 4 cylinder engine though.

my next step is to MANUALLY attempt to see if this engine will turn. Disconnect battery, remove starter completely which will expose the flywheel. With a HEAVY flat blade screwdriver partially inserted by a tooth in the flywheel, exert pressure in a pivot movement trying to move the flywheel . If it doesn't move the engine is seized.

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.

the problem is the crank shaft position sensor ! I just replaced it on my wifes and it runs like new....