Ok, my girlfirend has a 99 Cavalier Rally Sport with a 2.2L Automatic and we are having some issues with it starting. It used to be when it was cold outside the car would just crank and crank and would no start unless you pushed on the gas pedal. But when temp outside was warmer it would fire right up. Now it's doing it all the time no matter the temp outside. Check Engine and ETS OFF lights are on all the time and Autozone said it was the rear O2 sensor trippin the light. They reset the light and it came back on after only a few mins of driving it home. I've seen this issue on other cavy's also that my friends have, all around the same year and all with the same motor and drivetrain.

Here's what I've done so far..
Replaced Fuel Pump and Filter, replaced front O2 sensor (when engine light came on first time), all fuel pressures and voltages check out ok, replaced spark plugs and wires, new air filter, spark from coils and compression are both within range.

The problem seemed to cut back a little when the engine light tripped the first time and was read to be the front O2 sensor and I replaced it, but then after a few weeks the issue came back and is slowly getting worse. The car runs fine with no stutters or anything of that nature and will start fine when car is warmed up. But that first start of the day it cranks entirely too long before it will start and you have to push on the gas to get it to start normally. Sometimes if you turn on the key and wait for the fuel pump to turn off after pressure is built up it will start without hitting the gas and without cranking as long but still cranks longer than it should. We've had the issue for about 2 yrs now but it is progressively getting worse. I just wanted to get a few opinions before I go drop 80.00 on a new rear O2 sensor.[sm=headbang.gif] Keep in mind that I'm not totally car illiterate and I always work on my own vehicles and I'm very proficient when it comes to auto mechanics but this one has me stumped. Also some insight on where I can get this rear O2 sensor cheaper would be cool too, 80.00 is a bit steep from that thing I think. Bosch part # is comming in at 13111 for it.

Thanks in advance!

-Gene

 

I've begun having a similar problem. After the first time, no codes were stored.
Second time, I noticed the radio wasn't powered up, so I pulled the fuse (still ok) and it started. Today was the third time, same thing.