2000 Cavalier Starting Problem

jeadens · 09-27-2009, 02:02 AM

The wife has a 2000 Cavalier with 105k miles. No major issues with it. I’m a pretty good mechanic but lack field experience and don’t have a feel for the typical failures to expect on this car. I wanted to ask the experts before I spent too much time and money trying troubleshoot the problem and hoped that the experts could point me in the right direction.
Problem: Recently, it started to hesitate when starting in the morning. I figured since it’s only an issue in the morning that the battery wasn’t holding a charge so I replaced it with a new one. The hesitation remained, so I had the altenator checked out at Autozone and they said it was fine. I heard the engine spin today and it does spin fairly fast but has a slow drag every once in a while. Normally it fires right up pretty quickly, so I’m thinking the engine isn’t spinning fast enough. I don’t think it’s a spark or fuel issue because its runs fine after it’s started.
Before replacing the starter, I checked to see if there was something drawing excessive current with the car off. With an amp meter installed in series with the battery, the dome light was removed along with all the dashboard fuses. I installed one fuse at a time while monitoring the current draw. When the 10A “RDO/INTLP” fuse was installed, it drew 100 mA. This is probably the aftermarket stereo memory and it runs the clock. When the 10A “CLSTR” fuse was installed, it drew 1.5 A for about 20 seconds then changed to 0.8 A. I hear the module, located on the driver’s side under the firewall, toggle an internal relay and I can also see the gauges move. There are no issues with the gauges when driving normally. Is 0.8 A current draw normal for this module with the key off? BTW, the same measurement was observed when I removed the underhood 40A “BATT1” fuse while all the dashboard fuses remained installed.
If the 0.8 A current draw is normal, my next step would be to charge the battery overnight then install it in the car I the morning and see if the cars fires up quickly in the morning.

**octaneman** · 09-27-2009, 11:48 PM

Hi jeadens

The numbers you posted are within acceptable parameters and it doesn't appear to be any excessive power drain on the system. That said, you should start off with the basics: Test the battery's electrolyte ( sulfuric acid) by checking it's density with a hydrometer. The density should be 1.290 or higher for each cell , if readings are low then the cells are weak which will cause the problem. Inspect your air filter, gas filter, ignition wires, spark plugs, just your general overall tune up, and replace any dirty or worn out filters and plugs. A good quality oil also helps the engine start smoothly, a simple reason for it is that temperature affects the oil's viscosity, if its too thick the starter will have to turn over harder for the flywheel to make it's rotation. If the oil is to thin due to flooding, the pistons won't be able to build up compression to ignite the fuel which in turn will make the starter overrun.

post back your findings.

jeadens · 09-28-2009, 09:55 PM

Thanks Octaneman. The current draw seemed excesssive and really bothered me. I cleaned the engine and did a visual inspect of all the hoses and wires...all looked good. Cleaned the throttle body w/ carb cleaner including inspect and clean of TP and IAC valve. Recent plugs, air filter, and wires tune up. Oil change two weeks ago (always use Castrol 10W/30). Never changed fuel filter (maybe due). Runs smoother now, but still has start up hesitation. I'm charging the 1 week new battery overnight and plan to install in morning and observe starting. If hesitation persists, will change fuel filter. Trying not to replace expensive permanent magnet starter unless all cheap and easy steps point to it. Will reply results.

jeadens · 10-11-2009, 12:50 AM

Wife continued to have more starting issues even with car warm and battery fully charged. Replaced the damn starter...all it fine now!!! Has been starting great for the last week. It also runs even better now that I addressed all the little things first. Thanks Octaneman for your advise on the current draw thing. I would have spent a lot of time and money not knowing it was actually in spec.

09-27-2009, 02:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
jeadens Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 OS: xp	2000 Cavalier Starting Problem The wife has a 2000 Cavalier with 105k miles. No major issues with it. I’m a pretty good mechanic but lack field experience and don’t have a feel for the typical failures to expect on this car. I wanted to ask the experts before I spent too much time and money trying troubleshoot the problem and hoped that the experts could point me in the right direction. Problem: Recently, it started to hesitate when starting in the morning. I figured since it’s only an issue in the morning that the battery wasn’t holding a charge so I replaced it with a new one. The hesitation remained, so I had the altenator checked out at Autozone and they said it was fine. I heard the engine spin today and it does spin fairly fast but has a slow drag every once in a while. Normally it fires right up pretty quickly, so I’m thinking the engine isn’t spinning fast enough. I don’t think it’s a spark or fuel issue because its runs fine after it’s started. Before replacing the starter, I checked to see if there was something drawing excessive current with the car off. With an amp meter installed in series with the battery, the dome light was removed along with all the dashboard fuses. I installed one fuse at a time while monitoring the current draw. When the 10A “RDO/INTLP” fuse was installed, it drew 100 mA. This is probably the aftermarket stereo memory and it runs the clock. When the 10A “CLSTR” fuse was installed, it drew 1.5 A for about 20 seconds then changed to 0.8 A. I hear the module, located on the driver’s side under the firewall, toggle an internal relay and I can also see the gauges move. There are no issues with the gauges when driving normally. Is 0.8 A current draw normal for this module with the key off? BTW, the same measurement was observed when I removed the underhood 40A “BATT1” fuse while all the dashboard fuses remained installed. If the 0.8 A current draw is normal, my next step would be to charge the battery overnight then install it in the car I the morning and see if the cars fires up quickly in the morning.

09-27-2009, 11:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
octaneman Mentor Home Support, Gearhead Automotive Center Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 551 OS: WINXP	Re: 2000 Cavalier Starting Problem Hi jeadens The numbers you posted are within acceptable parameters and it doesn't appear to be any excessive power drain on the system. That said, you should start off with the basics: Test the battery's electrolyte ( sulfuric acid) by checking it's density with a hydrometer. The density should be 1.290 or higher for each cell , if readings are low then the cells are weak which will cause the problem. Inspect your air filter, gas filter, ignition wires, spark plugs, just your general overall tune up, and replace any dirty or worn out filters and plugs. A good quality oil also helps the engine start smoothly, a simple reason for it is that temperature affects the oil's viscosity, if its too thick the starter will have to turn over harder for the flywheel to make it's rotation. If the oil is to thin due to flooding, the pistons won't be able to build up compression to ignite the fuel which in turn will make the starter overrun. post back your findings. Last edited by octaneman; 09-27-2009 at 11:51 PM.

09-28-2009, 09:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
jeadens Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Re: 2000 Cavalier Starting Problem Thanks Octaneman. The current draw seemed excesssive and really bothered me. I cleaned the engine and did a visual inspect of all the hoses and wires...all looked good. Cleaned the throttle body w/ carb cleaner including inspect and clean of TP and IAC valve. Recent plugs, air filter, and wires tune up. Oil change two weeks ago (always use Castrol 10W/30). Never changed fuel filter (maybe due). Runs smoother now, but still has start up hesitation. I'm charging the 1 week new battery overnight and plan to install in morning and observe starting. If hesitation persists, will change fuel filter. Trying not to replace expensive permanent magnet starter unless all cheap and easy steps point to it. Will reply results.

10-11-2009, 12:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
jeadens Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Re: 2000 Cavalier Starting Problem Wife continued to have more starting issues even with car warm and battery fully charged. Replaced the damn starter...all it fine now!!! Has been starting great for the last week. It also runs even better now that I addressed all the little things first. Thanks Octaneman for your advise on the current draw thing. I would have spent a lot of time and money not knowing it was actually in spec.