Hard starting 2001 Cavalier?

Question

I am having trouble with my 01 Cavalier.. The car will not start at times unless you press the gas pedal.. Now being a fuel injected car I should not have to do this. I have also had this on a computer to see if there are any codes in the computer and there are none.. All of the sensors check out ok. I have changed the fuel and air filter, the plugs and wires and I would hate to have to start to shot gun this thing by replaceing unneeded sensors.. And this car only has about 31000 miles on it... Ay ideas???

Answer 1

You have a 2.2L engine, On the top center of your engine the is a block housing, covering the throttle-body where air/fuel goes in, look just behind this for a small black vacuum line, line is about 6-8 inches long and connects between engine and a small sensor on the firewall, this is the engine's vacuum sensor, on the bottom of the vacuum hose at the throttle-body side(engine side) you will find a small crack in the hose(from heat), trim off the end or replace, car will start,
when engine's cold It leaks, as It warms up, It swells and wont leak as bad, so symptoms seem to come and go, Ive only replaced about a million of these, With fuel injection, It can be lots of other problems, but If you don't start here, You ll be kicking your self, good luck

Answer 2

Mine turned out to be the fuel pressure regulator. (Left front/top of the engine, end of the fuel rail, vacuum line on top). To test, remove the vacuum line, turn the ignition to run (should hear the fuel pump priming). If fuel comes out of the top hole of the regulator, it is bad and needs replaced. Changed mine in 30 min, runs like a champ. $85 part from any auto parts store.

Procedure:
1) Relieve fuel pressure - Under the rear of car/passenger side unplug the white electrical pug to the fuel pump. Start the car, if possible, and let it run itself out of fuel pressure. Plug (fuel pump) white electrical plug back in.

2) Remove the negative battery terminal.

3) Remove the Air Intake manifold. Two screws on top, three hose connections (Two have hose clamps, the third is underneath).

4) Remove the (sideways) bolt holding the fuel pressure regulator.

5) Using a large flat screwdriver, I was able to swing the bottom of the retaining bracket out of the way without having to unscrew it.

5) Remove the fuel line retaining bolt from the front side of the engine block. This should let the fuel line that enters the bottom of the pressure regulator move just enough to wiggle it out of the fuel rail.

6) Apply clean engine oil to new O-Rings when reinstalling.

Hope this helps someone.

2001 Cavalier Z24 2.4L DOHC
126k miles
No computer codes
Hard starting, ran fine once started. sometimes took 4 or 5 tries to get it started. Problem was worse after car was warmed up.

Answer 3

Check all the other stuff first. Then check for recall notices on the 2001 Cavalier. There is an ignition recall on the Cav that cost me 1200 instead of 400 because my mechanic got to it first, and added the dealer's charge to his own repair charge. And the dealer repair shop keeps a rotating stock of 6 of the ignition replacements on hand. What a coincidence! B.

Answer 4

I suspect the fuel system is draining back to the gas tank while your car is not running. Turn the key on then wait until the fuel pump pressurizes the fuel system. You will hear an electric motor run until the system is pressurized (a couple of seconds). Then start your car.

Answer 5

first thing,you don't set the choke by stepping on the accelerator,you have a throttle-body system,you should be able to just turn the key,I think you find it`s going be a replacement of the fore stated item,throttle body injectors

Answer 6

check to see if there is a leak in your fuel line, most likely a pin hole or crack that is letting air get into the line

Answer 7

Take it to jiffy lube they are very honest and they do my troubleshooting for me.