Greetings all,
History:
I just bought a 2002 Cavalier from an idiot. The previous owner used a few cans of bars leaks to stop the $25 water pump from dripping. I've already replaced the plugged radiator, the drippy water pump, flushed it several times, and refilled with premixed dexcool. After all that, it still ran hot (225 at idle). I ran a bypass hose for the heater core. It idled at a perfect 195 degrees.
I bought a new heater core, removed the dash, swapped the plugged heater core for the new one, and re-assembled.
The problem:
It won't crank now that I've re-assembled the dash.
With the key on, I hear the fuel pump run for a second or two. All the warning lights briefly turn on, just as before. The radio turns on with the key, but the blower for the heater doesn't work now (it did before removing the dash). If I turn the key backwards slightly, the heater blower will run, but I get a clicking on the left side of the dash that turns on and off the daytime running lights when the key is rotated towards "off" slightly. All of the other electric controls except the heater blower are working fine.
All I could find in the maintenance forums for a possible cause was a faulty ignition switch, so that was replaced today, and it didn't change anything. (new part, not a junk yard switch).
I've got 12 volts at the battery, and it doesn't change when the key is turned to "start". When turning the key to start, it doesn't dim the headlights or dome light, and it doesn't even click like it's trying to start. I've held the key to START and moved the shifter from park to L, and it doesn't make a difference.
The key doesn't have a resistor pill or transponder, so I don't think I'm having a "theft deterrent" issue. Even if it was, I can't reset it if the car doesn't start then stall. I've tried without starting, and it didn't work.
Any ideas?
John Wilken
2002 Cavalier
2.2 Vin code 4
Auto
One more thing....
Before starting disassembly of the dash, I disconnected both battery terminals.
John Wilken
2002 Cavalier
2.2 Vin code 4
Auto
i would start checking fuses and your battery connections
FIXED!
Here's what I did...
Disconnected the battery again. Took the dash apart just enough to disconnect the Blaupunkt stereo. Then I reconnected the battery, turned the key on and waited a few minutes... When the heater blower started working on it's own, I started the car.
Didn't have to reset the theft system, it never came on. After a few minutes of running to make sure it would be OK, I did a few restarts to make sure this wasn't a fluke.
After that, I reconnected the stereo connection and it's all good now.
GM engineers... groan.
John Wilken
2002 Cavalier
2.2 Vin code 4
Auto
