2002 Cavalier Starts But Then Shuts Off

Details: Category: Chevy Cavalier Car Repair Help

My 2002 Chevy Cavalier starts but shuts off immediately and the power locks wont work either on key remote or manually. please help me!! I just had the ignition switch and ignition cylinder fixed.

Was the ignition switch and key cylinder replaced to repair this problem, or did these things start after that repair?

2002 chevy cavalier starts and then dies immediately. Has a new battery. Any ideas?

Answer: See if the THEFT or SECURITY light is on the dash or flashing. A car that starts then dies may be in theft lockout. If so, you are going to need to get that system diagnosed.

If that is not the problem, then i would check fuel pressure. If the system is not building or holding enough fuel pressure, the car will stall right away. Also check for a large vacuum leak. Try and work the gas pedal right when it= starts to see if you can keep it running.

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Guest - Tech

OK, well, if it shuts off right away, say within 2 seconds, then it sounds like the theft relearn was not done. But that would not make sense because you did get to drive it after the repairs. Another cause of a theft problem could be any aftermarket alarm or remote start, or even a body control module (BCM). The BCM is what controls the theft system. It reads the the key cylinder. The BCM also controls the power locks. Although you could have a blown fuse for that.
Guest - iceangel511
In reply to: Guest - Tech

Could that have happened during the removal of the dash which they had to remove because my key cylinder is in dash, not sterring column? I appreciate your help so much. It's always nice for a woman to walk into a mechanic and have some knowledge of what is happening.
Guest - Tech
In reply to: Guest - iceangel511

The mechanic may have disturbed something during the repairs. The theft relearn is part of the repair and would not have ever started unless it was relearned. A BCM is just a computer and they can fail at any time. Sounds like a scan of the system is needed to start diagnosis of this problem. Checking fuel pressure, spark, injector pulse- while it is stalling or not starting.
Guest - iceangel511
In reply to: Guest - Tech

Thank you so much for your help. At least I will have some knowledge when I take it in. You are awesome!!
Guest - iceangel511

It's a 2002 Chevy Malibu, not a Cavalier.
Guest - iceangel511

I had those fixed because the key wouldn't turn in the ignition, if that helps. This started after I had the ignition switch and key cylinder fixed. At first my turn signals didn't work, so they fixed that. Thank you for replying so quickly to my problem.