Here is the issue...

The other day, my battery ran completely dead when I was about to start my commute home. I was lucky to have a friend near by that had the patience to come jump me. We hooked up the cables and started his car and began to charge it. When I felt like it was long enough I went to start the car... there was enough juice to crank the engine but it never turned completely over. From past experiences, I have found to listen for my fuel pump priming when having these issues so I turned the key all the way off and turn it back to accessories. Surely enough, I was not getting any priming from the pump ALSO I had no dash lights, however, I got head lights, windshield wipers, horn and radio. So I sat a bit longer and turned the key a few times till finally I got lights on the dash, I heard my fuel pump prime and the car started as usual.

So the car runs a few days and starts as normal of course and this morning I went out to start it up and I have the exact issue as before, though this time, jumping it for a long while and messing with the key did nothing. I turn the key to accessories and to the last step before the "start" position and nothing happens other than hearing a relay click under the hood (one single click). When I turn the car to "start" starter cranks and engine tries to turn over as it should but since the fuel pump didn't prime and continues to not get power perhaps, it does not start.

I am concerned about the similarity between the fuel pump not priming/working and the lack of dash lights, seat belt alarm, etc... Could it be that brand new ignition switch has already went bad? Or is it having to do with a drained battery even though a jump does not help?

I know you guys see a lot of Cavalier start issue posts but any help would be majorly appreciated.

Thanks

Brock

 

Start with getting the battery tested or replace it.

 

as MD stated, get a new battery installed and check all associated fuses and relays for the instrument cluster, interior lights, and fuel pump. Also wouldn't be a bad idea to have the alternator tested.

 

I know this thread is a little old, but my car is doing the same exact thing. Were you able to resolve the issue if so can you tell me how? Thanks

 

update:

It ended up being the ignition switch.


Story behind this car is we bought it at an auction with a jumped timing chain and the vehicle did not start. I removed the head, had it checked & rebuilt (valve job, seals, blah blah), and reinstalled it along with a new timing chain set. Went to go start the car and nothing. Did some back probbing and found that the first two top rows in the fuel panel inside the car were dead. I looked at all the items and they looked to be things with the ignition on, and everything that ran off of battery power worked. I tried tracing wires, everything looked okay. I did see a little bit of previous wire work under the dash but the connections looked decent.

I bought a ignition switch but didn't have time to install it. My dad worked on it today and repalced it. He said it was difficult to replace due to the E4 (external torx) bolt up top on the switch with very little access to get to it. A swivel on the E4 socket was necessary as well as grinding the sides of the socket to make it smaller to fit. he replaced it and everything works according to him.

I never drove the car or started it up previously so I had no idea of the wiring being dead on the car and assumed it was something I forgot to reconnect when reinstalling the cylinder head.

I hope this update helps somebody in the near future.